This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to command an organisation's personnel within a multi-agency emergency response environment.

Command is the internal direction of the members and resources of an organisation in the performance of the organisation's roles and tasks by agreement or in accordance with relevant legislation. Command operates vertically within an organisation.

The unit is applicable to public safety personnel who have a command role within their own organisation who are required to administer that command in a multi-agency response environment. It does not include commanding personnel from other organisations or agencies in a multi-organisational/agency response.

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

Take command

1.1

Command is exercised, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

1.2

The identity, location and contact details of the commander are communicated to internal and external personnel within the chain of command

2

Establish a command facility

2.1

An appropriate command facility is established and operated, in accordance with organisational procedures and guidelines

2.2

Details of the facility are communicated to internal personnel and to relevant external authorities, organisations or individuals, as required

3

Establish a command structure

3.1

A command structure is established appropriate to the nature and complexity of tasks undertaken by the organisation

3.2

The command structure is expanded, contracted or modified in response to changes within the emergency environment

4

Establish procedures to permit command to be exercised

4.1

Command structure is communicated to internal and external personnel and external personnel applicable to the incident

4.2

Command information management system is implemented

4.3

Communication procedures are implemented between levels of command, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.4

Liaison is established and maintained to meet control and command requirements

4.5

A public information system is established, in accordance with control plan requirements

5

Determine operational command plan

5.1

Tasks are received and/or determined, in accordance with incident requirements

5.2

Operational plan to implement strategies is developed and modified, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.3

Appropriate tactics to manage the incident are identified, in accordance with the operational plan

6

Manage resources under organisation command

6.1

Resources are deployed to ensure that the operational plan is implemented, in accordance with organisational procedures

6.2

Human and physical resources are managed to achieve operational plan outcomes

7

Manage operations

7.1

Operations are conducted, in accordance with the operational plan

7.2

Significant changes in status and actions taken are reported through the chain of command

7.3

Operations are prioritised to meet any change in conditions which impact the incident situation

8

Conclude operations

8.1

Resources are accounted for, in accordance with organisational procedures

8.2

Debriefing requirements are met, in accordance with organisational procedures

8.3

Operational documentation is completed, in accordance with organisational procedures

9

Review operations

9.1

Operational plans are evaluated and reviewed, in accordance with organisational procedures

9.2

Effectiveness of command and interaction with control is evaluated and documented

9.3

Reports are produced and communicated, in accordance with established organisational procedures

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.

Public Sector

Operations