PUAOPE019A - Control a Level 3 incident

PUAOPE019A
Control a Level 3 incident

This unit covers the competency required to take and establish control of a Level 3 incident.A Level 3 incident is characterised by degrees of complexity that may require the establishment of divisions for the effective management of the incident. Control refers to the overall direction of emergency management activities at an incident. Authority for control is established in legislation or in an emergency plan and carries with it the responsibility for tasking other organisations in accordance with the needs of the situation. Control relates to situations and operates horizontally across organisations.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Application

This unit applies to a Level 3 Incident Controller responsible for:

management of all activities undertaken to control an incident

establishment of systems and procedures for the safety and welfare of personnel at the incident

management of the interface with organisations and people working outside the incident management structure

management of the interface with organisations, communities and people affected, or likely to be affected, by the incident

The authorisation to control a Level 3 Incident is subject to organisational policies and procedures.

Prerequisites

PUAOPE018A Control a Level 2 incident (Fire sector specific)

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
1. Establish control	1.1 Control is established in accordance with designated responsibility/authority. 1.2 Identity of the controller is communicated to participating organisations/authorities and to relevant authorities/organisations pertinent to the emergency/incident situation. 1.3 Nature, extent and potential of an incident is identified through liaison with relevant personnel/authorities.
2. Establish a control facility	2.1 Appropriate control facility is established in accordance with approved operating procedures. 2.2 Establishment of the facility is communicated to participating and relevant personnel/authorities. 2.3 Communications systems and procedures are established to facilitate the functions of control.
3. Establish and maintain a control structure	3.1 Control structure is established appropriate to the nature and complexity of the emergency, encompassing specific roles and responsibilities of each participating organisation. 3.2 Control structure is scaled up or down in response to changes within the emergency environment. 3.3 Flow of information is managed ensuring accurate recording and reporting mechanisms are established and maintained. 3.4 Control systems are identified and managed in accordance with the control structure.
4. Establish procedures to permit control to be exercised	4.1 Control structure is communicated to participating organisations and relevant authorities/individuals who may have a regulatory or economic interest applicable to the emergency/incident. 4.2 Communication is implemented to provide an effective exchange between the controller and all organisations engaged in the emergency, supporting organisations, coordinator, higher authorities, media. 4.3 Liaison is initiated and maintained with organisations that may provide information or resources applicable to the emergency/incident.
5. Assess the situation and determine priorities	5.1 Information about incident is sought from participating organisations and relevant sources. 5.2 Community and environmental risks are identified. 5.3 Relevant information is analysed and processed to establish priorities for dealing with the incident. 5.4 Incident objectives are determined, utilising consultation where appropriate and are communicated within and external to the incident. 5.5 Need for immediate provision of assistance to the public and for recovery management is considered and appropriate support and recovery agencies are notified. 5.6 Objectives are continually reviewed in light of information updates, reports and feedback.
6. Develop an Incident Action Plan	6.1 Appropriate strategies are determined to achieve objectives. 6.2 Components of strategies are determined in consultation with organisations. 6.3 Incident Action Plan (IAP) is documented in writing.
7. Maintain control of incident	7.1 Incident planning and logistics support is maintained. 7.2 Situation systems are provided to the control organisation. 7.3 Planning meeting is conducted with Incident Management Team and key agency commanders. 7.4 Information is provided to community and other stakeholders with an emphasis on public safety. 7.5 Communication to community and other stakeholders is accurate and is delivered in a timely manner using appropriate strategies. 7.6 Incident records are maintained in accordance with organisational guidelines.
8. Implement an Incident Action Plan	8.1 Strategies are implemented through delegation within the control structure and allocation to supporting organisations. 8.2 IAP is monitored to meet changes in conditions and modifications are made where appropriate. 8.3 IAP is communicated to relevant organisations following established procedures.
9. Conclude incident activities	9.1 Support requirements for recovery management are provided as required. 9.2 Physical, human and fiscal resources are accounted for. 9.3 Debriefing requirements are met and operational control documentation is completed. 9.4 Reports are produced as required.
10. Review incident activities	10.1 Plans and procedures are evaluated and reviewed. 10.2 Effectiveness of the control function and its interaction with command organisations is evaluated and documented. 10.3 Reports are produced and communicated in accordance with established protocols.

Required Skills

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

Required Skills

access information and support from organisations

apply relevant agreements

use human and physical resources effectively and efficiently including equipment and consumables, identification and correct use of equipment, materials

use tools and techniques to solve problems

Required Knowledge

accountabilities (including outcomes and human and physical resource management)

application of safety factors and safe operating procedures

Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System (AIIMS) incident control structure and principles

codes of practice or other legislative requirements

decision making processes

disaster and emergency management arrangements

emergency management communications requirements

emergency site layout options

IAP process for a Level 3 incident

national and state/territory agreed industry protocols

national and state/territory based coordination arrangements

operation of work systems and equipment

operative and non operative personnel

organisational processes and procedures

personnel and external authorities

radio frequency devices

risk management processes

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit	Assessment must confirm the ability to: establish and maintain control for the effective management of the incident effectively assign and monitor organisation allocated task/s analyse incidents both functionally and strategically select, prioritise, implement and evaluate appropriate courses of action strategically react to changes within the emergency environment incorporate risk management and contingency processes implement risk assessment processes modify activities to cater for variations and changes in emergency contexts and environments approve plans and strategies to control the incident initiate recovery arrangements describe consequences complete tasks identify improvements apply safe work practices show evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including: hazard policies and procedures issue resolution procedures job procedures and work instruction guidelines relating to the procurement of resources quality assurance procedures (where existing) privacy confidentiality and security procedures waste, pollution and environmental management recovery processes complete work systematically ensuring minimal damage to equipment and environment. Consistency in performance Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment	Context of assessment Competency should be assessed in an operational environment or in an industry-approved multi-agency simulated workplace environment. Specific resources for assessment Access is required to: Level 3 incidents or simulation of Level 3 incidents, in a multi-agency response environment equipment, personnel, facilities appropriate to a Level 3 incident and within the bounds of the Incident Controller's responsibility
Method of assessment	In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook. Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment. Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include: direct observation interviewing the candidate journals and workplace documentation third party reports from supervisors written or oral questions

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.
Nature of the incident (imminent or actual) may include:	Biological Civil/political events such as: civil unrest economic eco-terrorism enemy attack financial collapse general strike hostage situation/s sabotage strikes terrorism Fire (forest, range, urban) Natural events such as: avalanche snow/ice/hail drought dust/sand storms earthquakes/land shifts extreme heat/cold fauna rescue (e.g. marine life rescue) flood/wind driven water hurricane/typhoon landslide/mudslide lightning storm search and rescue tornado/cyclone tsunami volcanic eruption windstorm/tropical storm Technological/industrial events such as: bio-hazards building/structure collapse business interruption dam/levee failure explosions/fire extreme air pollution fuel/resource shortages hazardous material releases power/utility failure radiological accidents transportation accidents
Establishing control facility may include consideration of:	Amenities Climatic conditions Communication modes Equipment characteristics Legislation Logistical operations Proximity to emergency/incident Safety requirements Security requirements Site access and exit requirements Size and type of structure Span of control Special incident requirements Support services Topography
Communications systems and procedures may include:	Communications planning Communications responsibilities of personnel Data transfer Designation of appropriate modes and channels of communication Inter organisation liaison Interpersonal communications Radio communications Telecommunications
Identifying control systems may include:	Communications systems Fiscal Human Information flow, e.g. media Physical Political
Agreed reporting mechanisms may include:	Authorisation, distribution and developments of reports in accordance with regulatory and organisational requirements and may include: briefing papers final reports for external distribution-status reports legal reports media reports ministerial reports performance evaluations situation reports-within emergency
Resources may include:	Aircraft Communications devices Equipment Fiscal Local, state/territory and federal governments Machinery Operations personnel Support personnel Technology devices Volunteers Vehicles
Incident Action Plan may include:	Accommodation and welfare arrangements Communications Plan Incident objectives Information on alternative or fallback strategies Information Plan for dissemination of information to all stakeholders Information regarding the necessary logistical arrangements Management arrangements, including establishment of sectors and divisions Management structure if established Maps or site plans of the incident Medical Plan and consideration of occupational health and safety issues Resources to be allocated to each division and sector Risk assessment based on current and predicted circumstances Safety concerns and actions for mitigating risk Statement of current situation and predictions of the incident's likely development (including key risk exposures) Strategies to achieve defined incident objectives Structural chart depicting the personnel in the incident management arrangements, including establishment of sectors and divisions Timings of meetings and changeovers Traffic management
Providing information to the community may include:	Advice about evacuation Emergency warnings Relocation Situation update
Relevant organisations may include:	Ancillary organisations Clients Community groups Emergency management specialists Emergency organisations Government and semi government authorities and departments Higher authorities Media Occupational health and safety specialists Other analysts and other stakeholders Public Service providers Victims Witnesses

Sectors

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.

Licensing Information

Not applicable.