Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency to identify, procure and task human and physical resources for Search and Rescue. The requirement to coordinate resources may be national, State and Territory and regional levels.

Application of the Unit 

The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Prerequisite Unit /s 

Nil

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the Required Skills and Knowledge and/or the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Obtain required resources 

1.1 Tasks are prioritised and analysed to determine resource requirements in accordance with the rescue plan

1.2 The availability of required resources is determined using intelligence gathering methods 

1.3 Strategies for obtaining the required resources  are identified as determined by the necessities of the Search and Rescue activity in accordance with organisational policies and procedures 

2. Organise resources 

2.1 Resources  are assessed and allocated in accordance with their suitability for the task, equipment carried and availability consistent with organisational policies and procedures 

2.2 Resources are coordinated to ensure timely completion of tasks within physiological  and environmental constraints 

2.3 Personnel are encouraged and motivated to complete tasks consistent with organisational policies and procedures

2.4 Personnel needs are continually reviewed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

2.5 Support considerations  for personnel are taken into account in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

2.6 Resource needs are continually reviewed based on intelligence

3. Liaise with supporting authorities 

3.1 Contacts  are identified in supporting authorities to facilitate liaison and cooperation

3.2 Details of contacts and resources/services are recorded and maintained in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

3.3 The role and support capabilities of other Search and Rescue authorities  are determined through liaison, consultation and exchange of information in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

3.4 Advising, activation and deactivation procedures for other Search and Rescue authorities and agencies are initiated in accordance with policies and procedures

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required Skills 

• The ability to:
• collect and analyse information
• cooperate as part of a team with minimum supervision
• effectively communicate and consult with a range of individuals by a range of means including fax, telephone and face-to-face
• negotiate

Required Knowledge 

• Evidence of:
• accessing the various databases for contact names/numbers for resource allocation
• types of assets that are suitable for situations including:
• land search
• maritime search
• coastal search
• duration
• equipment range and performances of resources available for Search and Rescue
• policy relating to the secondment of Australian Defence Force assets for Search and Rescue
• each person's role within the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC)
• understanding of organisational policies and procedures
• understanding of personnel entitlements and administrative procedures
• understanding of occupational health and safety requirements
• understanding of technical maintenance state of Search and Rescue resources

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

Identify and obtain relevant resources

Knowledge in allocating appropriate assets to suit the situation

Assessing the capabilities and limitations of assets and continual review of resources

Consistency in performance 

In order to assess these performance criteria it may be necessary for evidence to be collected over a period of time

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Evidence can be collected on the job or may be undertaken in a simulation

Specific resources for assessment 

On job assessment will not entail additional resources However, rosters may need to be amended in order for simulation eg Search and Rescue exercise (SAREX) to be effected

Guidance information for assessment 

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

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.

Intelligence gathering methods may include 

Interrogating databases

making phone calls

Resources may include 

Human resources - personnel within own work area and other areas and personnel from outside statutory bodies/agencies

such as:

• Australian Defence Force (ADF)
• police
• voluntary agencies
• owners/agents
• offshore mineral/energy facilitates and international agencies

Physical resources:

• equipment
• facilities
• vehicles
• vessels
• aircraft
• fuel
• accommodation
• computer-based Search and Rescue systems
• ADF/police assets
• communications systems and stationery

Organisational policies and procedures protocols may include 

National Search and Rescue Manual

International Search and Rescue Manual and reference texts

legislation relevant to the operation/incident/response

legislation relevant to the organisation

operational, corporate and strategic plans

operational performance standards

organisational personnel practices and guidelines

organisational quality standards

Physiological constraints may include 

hypothermia

hyperthermia

physical condition

age

sex

mental condition

health

Environmental constraints may include 

terrain

weather conditions

Human resource support considerations may include 

welfare

health (mental and physical)

safety

overtime

transport

communications

management of stress

occupational health and safety

Strategies for obtaining resources may include 

conducting a cost/benefit analysis and risk analysis

formal applications

both internal and external

verbal requests

Contacts may include 

individuals within organisations

sections of an organisation(s) or general members of the public

Search and Rescue  (SAR ) authority is 

one of the designated search and rescue authorities in Australia and overseas as defined in the National Search and Rescue manual

Support considerations may include 

revising make-up of shifts

meals and refreshments

breaks

accommodation

fuel

Reference publications /material / documents may include 

IMO Manual

ICAO Manual

NATSAR Manual

MERSAR Manual

Organisational policies and procedures

Databases may include 

AusSAR

SAR light calculator

tidal predictions

conversion tables

SAR datum

Maritime SAR planning

Skyglobe

TSD

Sightmaster

SHR

COORDS

Vector calculator

SOS

Co-requisite Unit /s 

PUAAMS007B Coordinate search and rescue operations

PUACOM003B Manage information

PUATEA001B Work in a team