This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to provide safe and effective rescues at an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) incident as a Category 2 technician who is a member of a USAR team.

USAR is a specialised technical rescue capability for the location and rescue of trapped people following a structural collapse. The types of incidents that may require the skills and knowledge of a USAR Category 2 technician include earthquakes, terrorist and transport accidents, crashes, disasters and/or major structural collapses.

The unit is applicable to locating and removing trapped and injured casualties or deceased victims from partially or totally collapsed structures or environments and providing emergency medical care, as required.

It also includes using USAR specialist equipment and techniques and the ability to work as a team member. The authorisation to perform this role is subject to organisational policies and procedures. A person performing this role will typically operate under supervision as a member of a USAR 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 and plan to respond to USAR incidents

1.1

Personal documentation and kit is prepared appropriate to the nature of the incident and length of deployment

1.2

Pre-deployment briefing detailing mission information is received and clarified

1.3

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

1.4

Personal protective clothing and equipment is selected based on the nature of the incident and rescue resources to be used

2

Mobilise as part of a task force

2.1

Adequate communication is maintained with team members

2.2

Personal conduct is maintained, in accordance with applicable situation, cultural sensitivities and organisational requirements

2.3

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

2.4

Personal hygiene and safety is maintained, in accordance with organisational procedures

3

Assess and work within USAR incidents

3.1

Reconnaissance of area of operation is undertaken with other team members

3.2

Incident briefing detailing operational and task information is received and communicated with team members

3.3

Area of operations is managed to control access and maintain a safe and effective operational environment, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.4

Initial rescue operations are undertaken with other team members

3.5

Establishment of a base of operations is undertaken with other team members, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.6

Communication is established and maintained with other organisations/agencies on scene

3.7

Appropriate marking systems are used

3.8

Personal wellbeing and fatigue management strategies are implemented

3.9

Allocated rescue, logistics and communications tasks are undertaken, as directed

4

Determine location and condition of casualties

4.1

Search techniques and equipment are used to locate trapped casualties under the surface, in voids and spaces and from heights

4.2

Nature of casualty entrapment is ascertained, where possible

5

Gain access to casualties

5.1

Exclusion zone is established, in accordance with organisational procedures to provide a safe working environment

5.2

Stabilisation techniques are utilised to make collapsed structure and/or site safe

5.3

Rescue techniques appropriate to the nature of entrapment is used to access casualties

5.4

Located casualties are treated in consultation with medical personnel, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.5

Incident scene is constantly monitored for situational and environmental hazards and structural stability to prevent injury to self or others

6

Remove casualties

6.1

Casualties are safely prioritised, packaged and handled from surface and sub-surface voids and spaces using recognised techniques and equipment to minimise further injury to casualty, self and others

6.2

Evidence of casualty identity is collected and processed, in accordance with jurisdictional disaster victim identification procedures

6.3

Appropriate actions are taken to preserve site, where possible, for evidentiary purposes

7

Demobilise as part of a USAR team

7.1

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

7.2

Demobilisation of base of operations is undertaken with other team members, in accordance with organisational requirements

7.3

Operational readiness is maintained to support redeployment of USAR team and individual members, if required

7.4

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

7.5

Operational debriefing is attended and contributed to, in accordance with organisational requirements

7.6

Hygiene precautions are implemented in accordance with organisational procedures

7.7

Exposure reports are completed, 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.

USAR

Search and Rescue