PUAFIR612A
Undertake post-incident analysis

This unit covers the competency required to manage or participate in the analysis of an incident subsequent to the event. The analysis would review all pre/actual/post aspects of the event. This unit is not intended to address post-incident analysis of operational activities. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Application

Application of this unit is relevant to fire investigators who conduct post-incident analysis of fire investigations.

The unit focuses on the skills and knowledge required to develop and apply a systematic approach to a post-incident analysis across incidents (structure, mobile and wildfire).


Prerequisites

CPPSEC3028A Compile investigative report

PUAFIR605A Determine origin and cause of mobile property fire (Fire sector specific)

And either

PUAFIR603A Determine origin and cause of wildfire (Fire sector specific)

OR

PUAFIR604A Determine origin and cause of structure fire (Fire sector specific)


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Participate in post-incident analysis

1.1 Roles and responsibilities of multi-agency and support personnel involved in post-incident analysis are confirmed

1.2 Cooperation with multi-agency personnel in the conduct of the post-incident analysis, consistent with designated roles and responsibilities, is achieved

1.3 Information required for the post-incident analysis from multi-agency personnel is identified, sought and received

1.4 Protective clothing and equipment are used in accordance with agency procedures

1.5 Occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures appropriate to the incident are followed

2. Facilitate initial assessment of incident

2.1 Integrity of the site is established and maintained to ensure objectivity of information collected, in accordance with legal requirements

2.2 Statutory and legal obligations are identified and adhered to

2.3 Factors affecting the complexity of the investigation are determined

2.4 Stakeholders and interested parties are notified as appropriate

3. Participate in investigation processes

3.1 Organisational policies and procedures for scene investigation are implemented

3.2 Scope of investigation is determined

3.3 Stakeholder involvement is facilitated

3.4 Resources and expertise are committed to post-incident analysis

3.5 Barriers impacting on post-incident analysis are identified and addressed

3.6 Action plans and timelines are developed and implemented

3.7 Members of analysis team are liaised with as necessary

4. Collect data for analysis

4.1 Information and data is sourced and accessed

4.2 Visual and electronic data is collected

4.3 Relevant current and historical data is collected

4.4 Interviews are conducted

4.5 Information and data gathered by others is analysed

4.6 Documented evidence is recorded

5. Analyse collected data

5.1 Conceptual basis for the analysis is confirmed

5.2 Timeline of events is constructed, where possible

5.3 Conditions and circumstances contributing to the incident and resulting escalation are identified

5.4 Relationship between human behaviour and incident is assessed

5.5 Impact of the application of building codes is assessed

5.6 Issues are identified

5.7 Likelihood of re-occurrence with high consequence is assessed and actioned

6. Compile post-incident analysis report

6.1 Results of analysis and recommendations are reported in accordance with agency agreed procedures and legal requirements

6.2 Relevant information and data is disseminated to key personnel within the organisation, stakeholders and external agencies as appropriate

6.3 Data dissemination process is analysed and evaluated

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

access relevant information and data

analyse information, events and situations

carry out simple arithmetical calculations (e.g. percentage change)

communicate clearly and effectively

consult and negotiate with stakeholders and witnesses

make observations and record outcomes

manage own tasks within a timeframe

manage projects

produce graphs of workplace information and data i.e. identify trends

recommend and implement change

use a range of communication media

use information technology to access and enter internal and external information and data

use visual and electric recording equipment

Required Knowledge

characteristics, mode of action and units of measurement of major hazard types

concept of common law duty of care

ethics related to professional practice

formal and informal communication and consultation processes, and key personnel related to communication

hierarchy of control and considerations for choosing between different control measures, such as possible inadequacies of particular control measures

internal and external sources of information and data

methods of providing evidence admissible in a court of law

organisational policies and procedures

principles and practices of continuity and validity of evidence retention for potential legal action

relevant government agencies (environment protection agencies, fire authorities, OHS authorities, police and other emergency services)

relevant legislation

requirements for record keeping that addresses OHS, privacy and other legislation

roles and responsibilities under OHS legislation of employees, including supervisors and contractors

standard industry controls for a range of hazards

structure and forms of legislation including regulations, codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material

Evidence Required

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

conduct an investigation in a systematic approach based on scientific method

conduct an initial assessment of the situation and the establishment of processes

identify issues

develop recommendations

disseminate relevant information and data

apply knowledge, principles and practices of continuity and validity of evidence retention for potential legal action.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time and across a range of workplace and/or simulated situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

incident scene or simulation

all relevant documentation

recording tools both visual and electronic

other personnel involved in investigations.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit may include a combination of:

case studies

demonstration

observation

questioning

scenarios

authenticated evidence from the workplace

Delivery and assessment of this unit may be complemented by clustering with PSPREG411A Gather information through interviews.


Range Statement

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Agencies may include:

Coroner

Electrical authorities

Fire services

Forensic scientists

Gas authorities

Industry peak bodies

Insurance investigators, assessors and construction companies (to ‘make safe’ properties)

Other statutory authorities

Police investigators

Support personnel may include:

Government and private forensic chemists

Insurance investigators and assessors

Statutory bodies

Complexity may include:

Administrative implications

Conflict of interest issues

Existence of secondary hazards

International conventions

Involvement of external agencies

Language competencies of parties involved

Legal implications arising from the incident or post-incident related matters

Level of public or political interest

Number of other parties, including sub-contractors

Seriousness of injury or other outcomes

Technical implications

Stakeholders and interested parties may include:

Community

Coroner

Emergency services agencies

Employees

Employers

Fire services

Government agencies

Insurance representatives

Manufacturers

Media

Owners and occupants

Peak bodies

Politicians

Sub-contractors

Suppliers and distributors

Unions

Resources may include:

Funding

Physical resources

Staffing

Barriers impacting on post-incident analysis may include:

Access to incident

Availability of research data and analysis or testing equipment

Availability of technical design information and data relevant to the investigation

Changes to incident scene

Condition of witnesses

Cultural issues

Economic implications

Geographical location and/or accessibility

Lack of records

Language

Legal restrictions or limitations (temporary, short-term or long-term)

Length of time from when incident occurred/first identified

Political and community stakeholder sensitivity

Time limits imposed

Analysis team may include:

Experts/specialists relevant to incident type for example:

engineers

firefighting personnel (urban, rural, auxiliary)

forensic scientists

land managers

police and other emergency services personnel

qualified fire investigators

statutory authorities

surveyors

union representatives

Relevant current and historical data may include:

Data relevant to incident type such as building plans, essential service plans, relevant history, council information, fuel loads, weather data, incident records, flight plans

Documented evidence includes:

Documentary evidence

Interviews

Measurements

Multimedia information

Photography (digital, closed circuit television [CCTV], other media images)

Sketches

Statements

Key personnel within the organisation may include:

External specialist personnel and contractors

Forensic scientists

Legal advisor

Personnel involved in incident/situation

Union or staff association representatives


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.