Unit of competency details

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1 

Prepare for an aerodrome emergency 

1.1

Familiarity with aerodrome emergency response procedures and role of responding agencies is established

1.2

Emergency equipment is checked and tested in accordance with workplace procedures

1.3

Emergency exercises and debriefing sessions are participated in, as required

1.4

Responding agencies are escorted on familiarisation tours of airside facilities as required.

2 

Respond to an aerodrome emergency 

2.1

Established emergency response procedures are followed

2.2

Forward command post (FCP) and other forward control areas are appropriately established

2.3

Wreckage is guarded and evidence is preserved

2.4

Command of initial emergency response is appropriately handed over to responding agencies

2.5

Responding agencies are assisted as required

2.6

Running log is maintained throughout the emergency

2.7

Media enquiries are appropriately handled

3 

Take appropriate action to reinstate aerodrome operations 

3.1

Assessment of continued aerodrome operational capability is correctly made and authorities are notified

3.2

Airside facilities are returned to service as appropriate

3.3

Reports are completed, filed and disseminated to relevant authorities as required in accordance with workplace procedures

This section describes the knowledge and skills required for this unit.

Required knowledge: 

• Aerodrome layout, including access routes

• Appropriate responses to emergency transmission:

• establishing priority of calls

• imposing radio silence

• Critical messages including a distress message (MAYDAY call) and an urgency message (PAN call)

• Operation of airband radio equipment as used to communicate with Air Traffic Control (ATC) and/or pilots

• Physical characteristics of aircraft such as:

• commercial charter aircraft

• commercial passenger aircraft

• emergency medical service (EMS) aircraft

• fixed wing and/or helicopters

• freighter aircraft

• general aviation/recreational aircraft

• military aircraft

• Problems, safety hazards and risks that exist when facilitating an aerodrome emergency response and related risk assessment/management measures that may need to be taken

• Purpose and application of aerodrome markers, markings and temporary lighting

• Purpose and role of forward command post (FCP)

• Radio equipment:

• airband/VHF radio

• non-operations/UHF radio

• Relevant information/documents:

• Aerodrome Emergency Plan (AEP) and procedures to be followed for each aerodrome emergency

• Aerodrome Manual

• Aerodrome Safety Management System (SMS) and safety/security polices and principles of risk assessment and risk management

• aerodrome Transport Security Plan (TSP)

• airline timetables

• Airside Drivers Handbook and/or airside driving requirements for the aerodrome

• Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASRs)

• conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards

• induction and training materials

• logbooks

• Manual of Standards (MOS) Part 139 – Aerodromes

• Notices to Airmen (NOTAM)

• operational checklists

• • plans and maps

• relevant forms and databases

• safety data sheets (SDS)/material safety data sheets (MSDS) for hazardous materials

• workplace procedures for facilitating an aerodrome emergency response

• Relevant legislative and regulatory requirements relating to facilitating an aerodrome emergency response such as:

• identified in Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASRs), CASA Manual of Standards

• identified in Defence Orders and Instructions

• Manual of Standards (MOS) Part 139 – Aerodromes

• standards and recommended practices (SARPs) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

• workplace relations

• work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental, procedures and regulations including Drug and Alcohol Management Plan (DAMP)

• Reporting procedures

• Requirements for completing relevant documentation and/or incident reporting

• Weather information and its implications for workplace operations

Required skills: 

• Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

• Adapt to differences in equipment and operating environment in accordance with workplace procedures

• Apply relevant systems such as aerodrome safety management system (SMS) and procedures to assess and/or mitigate risk that might arise while facilitating a response to an aerodrome emergency

• Communicate effectively with others when facilitating an aerodrome emergency response

• Complete documentation related to facilitating an aerodrome emergency response

• Identify and correctly use equipment required to facilitate an aerodrome emergency response

• Implement WHS/OHS procedures and relevant regulations

• Interpret and follow workplace procedures and prioritise work

• Monitor and anticipate operational problems and hazards and take appropriate action

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocols

• Read and interpret instructions, regulations, procedures and other information relevant to facilitating an aerodrome emergency response

• Select and use required personal protective equipment (PPE) conforming to industry and WHS/OHS standards

• Work collaboratively with others when facilitating operational response to an aerodrome emergency

• Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the Elements, Performance Criteria, Required Skills, Required Knowledge and include demonstration of applying:

• required knowledge and skills
• relevant legislation and workplace procedures
• other relevant aspects of the range statement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Performance is demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

Resources for assessment include access to:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
• access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace.

In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

• relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

Method of assessment 

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation.

As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests.

Practical assessment must occur in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Aerodromes may include:

• Defence aerodromes
• certified aerodromes
• joint-user aerodromes
• registered aerodromes
• other (unclassified) aerodromes

Emergency response procedures may include:

• activating the Aerodrome Emergency Plan (AEP)
• implementing aerodrome emergency procedures
• reporting to Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)
• reporting to local police service

Workplace procedures may include:

• company procedures
• enterprise procedures
• organisational procedures
• airside driving rules
• standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Emergencies may involve a range of scenarios including:

• aircraft crash off aerodrome
• aircraft crash on aerodrome
• bomb scare
• dealing with wildlife hazards
• full emergency
• hazardous materials incident
• local standby
• major building fire
• medical emergency

Equipment may include:

• aircraft recovery equipment
• computer
• emergency response trailer
• first aid kit
• hand tools
• lights
• maintenance equipment
• markers
• mobile forward command post
• radio/s
• sandbags
• spills response kit
• telephone
• vehicle siren/loud speaker
• vehicle with flashing light

Workplace may include:

• aerodrome environs
• airside
• entire aerodrome
• Emergency Operations/Control Centre
• landside
• office

Workplace hazards may include:

• aircraft movements
• explosions
• fire and smoke
• foreign object debris (FOD)
• fumes
• hazardous/toxic materials
• other vehicles in the vicinity of the emergency
• personnel in the vicinity of the emergency
• slippery surfaces

Aerodrome movement area facilities include:

• apron
• clearway
• markers, markings and aerodrome lighting
• runway and runway strip
• runway end safety area
• taxiway and taxiway strip

Aerodrome environs may include:

• areas surrounding navigational aids
• aerodrome works sites
• buildings
• drainage systems
• fences and gates
• obstacle limitation surfaces (OLS)

Situations that require reporting may include:

• changes to temporary or permanent published aerodrome information
• emergency situations resulting in some or all of the aerodrome becoming unserviceable
• restoration of aerodrome serviceability

Relevant authorities for reporting purposes may include:

• aerodrome operator or delegated person
• aerodrome users
• Air Traffic Control (ATC)
• Australian Defence Force (Defence) Command for military bases
• Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
• NOTAM Office (Airservices Australia)

Suitable means of reporting may include:

• NOTAM
• verbal communications
• written communication by fax or email