This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to dispatch operational rappel personnel and equipment from a hovering helicopter for fire suppression purposes. It applies to personnel who supervise others rappelling from a hovering helicopter. This work involves adherence to rappelling policies, regulations, protocols and procedures required for these activities.

The fire sector is those sections of government departments, statutory authorities or organisations that have responsibility under jurisdictional arrangements for the delivery of firefighting and fire management services.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare operational dispatchequipment

1.1

Specialist rappel and dispatch equipment is selected and prepared, in accordance with organisational procedures and safe work practices

1.2

Appropriate rappel and dispatch equipment is donned, in accordance with organisational requirements

1.3

Personal equipment pre-flight check is conducted, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

1.4

Rappel and cargo ropes are loaded into the helicopter and secured

1.5

Equipment faults are reported to supervisor, for rectification or replacement

2

Conduct helicopter pre-flight check and preparation

2.1

Helicopter cabin area is prepared, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

2.2

Helicopter emergency equipment is located and checked, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.3

Rappel rope attachment points are inspected and operational status is confirmed

2.4

Rappel ropes are attached to rope attachment points

2.5

Helicopter communications system is tested and operational status confirmed

2.6

Helicopter equipment faults are reported to pilot

2.7

Pre-mission brief details are confirmed with appropriate personnel

3

Load rappellers and equipment into helicopter

3.1

Weight of rappel personnel, rappel and firefighting equipment is obtained

3.2

Equipment is secured in helicopter, in accordance with organisational procedures and weight and balance requirements

3.3

Rappellers are appropriately secured in seats

3.4

Personal attachment to helicopter is confirmed

3.5

Pre-flight operational checks and briefs are undertaken, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

4

Conduct rappel site inspection

4.1

Overfly of prospective rappel site is undertaken, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

4.2

Hazard assessment of proposed dispatch site is undertaken

4.3

Pilot and rappel crew leader are informed as to site suitability

4.4

Possible escape routes from fire are identified and conveyed to rappel crew

5

Dispatch rappel crew and their equipment

5.1

Pre-dispatch checks of rappellers, attachment to rappel ropes and equipment are conducted, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

5.2

Pilot is directed to maintain helicopter over rappel site, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

5.3

Pilot’s approval to conduct a rappel is obtained

5.4

Rappel rope is attached and checked, in accordance with organisational procedures, prior to commencing the dispatch

5.5

Rappellers are directed to helicopter skids using relevant hand signals, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

5.6

Rappeller and equipment descent and landing are monitored

5.7

Communication is maintained with rappellers, pilot and control organisation

5.8

Emergency procedures are invoked, as required, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

6

Retrieve personnel and equipment

6.1

Appropriate ropes and equipment for the retrieval of rappellers are prepared

6.2

Pre-retrieval checks of rappellers, attachment to rappel ropes and equipment are conducted, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

6.3

Pilot is briefed on proposed retrieval operation

6.4

Equipment and personnel extraction is conducted, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

6.5

Personnel extraction is conducted, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

7

Complete rappel operations

7.1

Debriefing of rappellers and pilot is conducted, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

7.2

Helicopter equipment is inspected and stowed and all identified faults are reported to the pilot

7.3

Rappel equipment and rope attachment points are inspected, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

7.4

Damage to rappel equipment is reported to appropriate personnel for repair, replacement or disposal, in accordance with organisational procedures and practices

7.5

Report on operation is completed, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Fire

Fire