The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Prerequisite Unit/s

PUAFIR302B Suppress urban fire OR PUAFIR303B Suppress wildfire (Fire specific)

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Receive incident response request

1.1 Requests for response are received and dealt with in accordance with organisational policy and guidelines

1.2 Relevant incident information is obtained and assessed to enable personnel to make appropriate preparations

1.3 An appropriate response is determined according to the type of incident and information available in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

1.4 The location of the incident and the most appropriate route to the incident are ascertained

2. Proceed to incident

2.1 Personnel, equipment and transport resources are dispatched promptly, consistent with the nature of the incident and the information available

2.2 Communication is established and maintained

2.3 An appropriate route to the incident is followed to minimise response time

2.4 En-route hazards are recognised and negotiated to minimise risk

2.5 Multi-vehicle response is conducted in accordance with the organisation's procedures

3. Assess the incident

3.1 Observations are made en route to assist with incident assessments

3.2 Assigned personnel's arrival at the incident is confirmed according to organisational policies and procedures

3.3 Communication with on-site personnel is established

3.4 An initial assessment of the incident is carried out promptly

3.5 Hazards or potential hazards are assessed and minimised or controlled

3.6 Assigned resources to deal with the incident are established at the earliest opportunity

3.7 The need for additional resources is identified and resources requested in accordance with organisational policy and procedures

3.8 Hazards are monitored during the incidents and changes in the situation acted upon

4. Plan and implement an operational response to the incident

4.1 A safe and effective operational environment is established and maintained in accordance with occupational health and safety guidelines and organisation's policies and procedures

4.2 Incident information is communicated to assigned personnel clearly, accurately and in a timely manner

4.3 Incident plan is developed based on available information and organisational procedures

4.4 Strategies and tactics are determined and tasks allocated to appropriate personnel

4.5 An incident plan is implemented, continually monitored, reported and reviewed in the light of additional information and communicated in accordance with the organisation's policies and procedures

4.6 Leadership and supervision are provided to ensure that performance and practice are to operational standards

4.7 Appropriate equipment and materials are deployed to deal with the incident

4.8 Changes in the incident plan are communicated to relevant personnel and organisations

5. Conclude operation

5.1 Incident is terminated in accordance with the organisation's procedures

5.2 Incident records of incident actions and decisions are maintained in accordance with the organisation's requirements

5.3 Incident assessment is conducted in accordance with the organisation's requirements

6. Supervise post-response activities

6.1 Equipment cleaning, repair, storage and replenishment is supervised

6.2 Debriefing requirements are met

6.3 Post operation reports are prepared to organisation's requirements

6.4 Welfare of team members is monitored and appropriate action taken

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

Required Skills

analyse an incident

assess risks and apply safe work practices

communicate effectively

conduct an incident assessment

conduct briefings and debriefings for aircraft based work

deploy personnel and equipment to deal with the incident

for aircraft based work the ability to work in an aircraft for an extended period

make decisions

respond promptly to an incident

use communication equipment

Required Knowledge

hazards/potential hazards and their effects

knowledge of current navigational practices to perform navigation

knowledge of current practices to perform conduct briefings and debriefings

organisational policies and procedures relating to operations

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

It is essential for this unit that competence be demonstrated in implementation of an appropriate strategy to deal effectively with the incident

Consistency in performance

Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Evidence of competent performance should be obtained by observing an individual in responding to and dealing with an actual or simulated incident operation and supplemented by appropriate questions

Specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this competency will require access to relevant transport, communication and emergency equipment

Guidance information for assessment

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

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.

Incidents may include

fires

public disorder

crime

flood

storms

accident

hazardous materials incidents

rescues

Transport may include

on-road

off-road

aviation

maritime

En route hazards may include

smoke

crowds

traffic

unauthorised redirection

prevailing weather

road conditions

terrain

debris

tidal flow

spot fires

restricted areas

wires

masts/aerials

other aircraft

interference to communications

Hazardous conditions may include

adverse weather and fire behaviour

after-dark operations

difficult terrain

dangerous goods and substances

time pressure

level of visibility

structural collapse

Incident assessment may include

type and size of incident

risk to life

property and environment

hazards/no go areas

climatic and weather conditions

capability of assigned personnel

adequacy of allocated equipment

information gathered from existing plans/databases

forecasts and meteorological profiles

crowds gathering

installed fire protection

type of building

building construction

persons trapped

exposures

access

Resources may include

aircraft (rotary and fixed wing)

personnel trained for the task

specialised personnel

protective clothing

equipment

materials

navigation aids

maps

aide memoirs

pumps

appliances

specialist appliances

Communications equipment may include

radio (eg VHF aeronautical)

telephone

computer

facsimile

pager

mobile data terminal

audible alarms/whistles

Communications may include

ground to air

hand signals

distress signal units

whistles

verbal and written instructions

radio

telephone

mobile phone

Incidents may include

life threatening situations

protection of property and the environment

armed offenders

explosive devices

Incident plan may include

incident objectives or goals

roles and responsibilities of personnel

resource requirements and limitations

communication procedures

strategies and tactics to be employed

contingency arrangements

planning checklists

flight plans

emergency landing areas for aircraft

Welfare of team members may include

physical stress

physiological stress

physical needs such as refreshments

fatigue

relief

Organisational policy, procedures, requirements and guidelines may vary between sectors and organisations and may include

legislation relevant to the operation/incident/response

legislation relevant to the organisation

operational

corporate and strategic plans

operational procedures

operational performance standards

organisational personnel practices and guidelines

organisational quality standards

interagency liaison

Civil Aviation Orders and requirements

search and rescue time/procedures/action

incident management systems

When dealing with aircraft response, performance may be affected by

task

range

engine type-piston

turbine

wing configuration

twin/single engine

load capacity

airstrip length requirements

pilot ability

weather

fire behaviour

terrain

When dealing with aircraft, suitability may be affected by

visibility

range

speed

take off capability

communications system availability

pilot local knowledge

When dealing with aircraft, supervising of aircraft management procedures includes

temporary restricted airspace

aircraft separation-vertically and horizontally

height separation

direction

inbound/outbound calls

Fire Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (F-CTAF)

This unit contains employability skills.