This unit of competency applies to the role of a USAR Category 1 first responder and involves the skills and knowledge required to provide safe and effective rescue support at a first response Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) incident.

Participating in an urban search and rescue involves assisting with the rescue and removal of surface casualties (lightly trapped) and/or deceased victims, applying basic search techniques and following safe work practices related to Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements.

It also includes the application of specialist equipment and techniques used at USAR incidents and the ability to work as a team member. A person performing this role will operate, under direct supervision, as a member of a USAR first responder rescue team.

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

Prepare for structural collapse rescue

1.1

Operation and task information is obtained, and clarification is sought at briefing

1.2

Based on incident information received rescue resources are identified, selected and checked to ensure they are ready for use

1.3

Personal protective clothing and equipment is selected based on the nature of the structural collapse operation

1.4

Systematic approach to identifying potential hazards and associated risks is discussed with team members en route and on approach to the incident

2

Participate in assessing structural collapse rescue

2.1

Worksite scene reconnaissance and size up is conducted and the results are reported to supervisor and other rescue team members

2.2

Dynamic risk assessment is undertaken, in accordance with organisational procedures, to identify, analyse, record, treat and monitor situational and environmental hazards

2.3

Building use, type of occupancy and time of day are assessed for the potential presence of trapped persons and hazards

2.4

Building construction methods and collapse patterns are assessed for the presence of survivable voids

2.5

Need for additional personnel and/or specialist equipment is reported to supervisor

2.6

Communication with primary response team members is maintained using approved communication systems, methods, techniques, terminology and warning system

2.7

Liaison with other response organisations or agencies in proximity is maintained

2.8

Marking systems and exclusion zones are implemented, in accordance with organisational procedures

3

Determine location and condition of surface casualties

3.1

Intelligence on location of surface casualties within a collapsed structure is collected, analysed and reported, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

3.2

Surface search techniques are implemented to identify and locate casualties, in accordance with organisational procedures and safe work practices

3.3

Condition of surface or lightly trapped casualties and nature of entrapment is ascertained, where possible

4

Gain access to surface casualties

4.1

Rescue techniques and equipment are employed to stabilise and make incident site safe

4.2

Located and rescued casualties are packaged, in accordance with organisational procedures and in consultation with medical personnel in attendance

5

Remove casualties

5.1

Rescue techniques and resources are used to remove surface or partially trapped casualties, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.2

Evidence of casualty identity is collected and processed, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.3

Actions are taken to preserve the incident scene, where possible, for evidentiary purposes

6

Conclude structural collapse rescue operations

6.1

Equipment is recovered, cleaned and serviced, in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturers' guidelines

6.2

Signs and symptoms of operational stress in self and others are reported to relevant personnel

6.3

Operational debrief is attended and documentation is completed, in accordance with organisational procedures

6.4

Hygiene precautions are implemented, in accordance with 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.

casualties must include at least one of the following

partially and/or lightly trapped casualties able to be rescued using available rescue equipment

surface and subsurface casualties trapped and not able to be rescued using available rescue equipment

surface casualties not trapped within the structure

USAR

Search and Rescue