This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to provide safety advice at a rural and/or land management incident.

The unit applies to wildfire and land management field based Safety Officers, who are responsible for providing advice to commanders and/or supervisors about safety issues and the implementation of safety procedures at a rural and/or land management incident. This unit also involves observing potential or existing hazards and providing advice on available and viable risk management options. Authorisation to perform this role is subject to organisational policies and procedures.

The Incident Controller has the ultimate responsibility for the safety and welfare of operational crews, supporting personnel and members of the public who may be involved in an incident. Providing a safe working environment for people at an incident is the shared responsibility of the Incident Controller, each member of the Incident Management Team and at their respective levels all persons involved at the incident.

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

Contribute to safety, health and welfare of personnel involved in an incident

1.1

Initial briefing is obtained and Incident Controller's intent is confirmed and any questions are asked

1.2

Identity of safety officers providing strategic safety advice at the incident is established and all communication methods are confirmed

1.3

Requirements for safety, health and welfare of crews/teams at the incident are identified

1.4

Assessment of information relating to safety, health and welfare is collected, collated and analysed

1.5

Safety, health and welfare priorities are obtained and confirmed through the chain of command throughout the incident

1.6

Safety, health and welfare of operational and other associated personnel is monitored and reviewed throughout the incident

1.7

Mitigation strategies for risks that may not have been controlled elsewhere in the Incident Action Plan (IAP) are identified and developed

1.8

Adequacy of procedures is assessed and issues identified are reported through the chain of command

2

Support incident action planning

2.1

Distribution of IAP is monitored to ensure it reaches all personnel and issues identified are reported to relevant personnel

2.2

Provision of maps and sector assignment orders to ground staff is monitored and issues identified are reported to relevant personnel

2.3

Briefings are participated in and assessed to ensure appropriate safety messages are conveyed and issues identified are reported to relevant personnel

2.4

Issues addressing health, safety and welfare of personnel are identified and communicated to assist in the preparation of the IAP for the next shift

3

Support operations at an incident

3.1

Supervisors are assisted to identify any outlying operations where they are responsible for health, safety and welfare

3.2

Information about developments at the incident is regularly obtained

3.3

Potential or developing risks to health, safety or welfare of personnel are identified and revised risk analysis is undertaken from information obtained

3.4

Supervisors are assisted to monitor the application of safe working practices and wearing of personal protective clothing and equipment

3.5

Implementation of the communications plan is monitored for effectiveness and adequacy

3.6

Monitoring and reporting of safety events is undertaken

3.7

Safety issues are reported to incident personnel through the chain of command, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.8

Safety events and investigations are participated in and recommendations are made, as required

3.9

Incoming field safety advisor is briefed

4

Complete documentation

4.1

Arrangements are made for a log and/or record of activities and decisions to be kept

4.2

Information is compiled to facilitate preparation of an end of shift summary report

4.3

Information is compiled for participation in incident debriefing or other performance improvement forums

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