Unit of competency details

Elements and Performance Criteria 

Element 

Performance Criteria 

1

Evaluate wildlife emergency

1.1

Nature of emergency is investigated from eyewitnesses and/or inspection to determine what procedures should be implemented.

1.2

Assessment of the incident is made to identify key factors that may impact on an appropriate response. 

1.3

State/Territory authorities are notified of incident according to enterprise guidelines.

1.4

Interim care of animals is implemented where appropriate and according to enterprise procedures pending instructions from authorities.

1.5

Appropriate staff are deployed in interim care for animals according to assessment of incident and enterprise guidelines.

1.6

Personnel assisting in interim care are appropriately equipped and briefed according to enterprise and legislative requirements.

1.7

Care instructions from authorities and/or veterinarians are implemented according to legislative and enterprise requirements.

1.8

Information is collected about the reported situation to determine response.

1.9

Informants are interviewed to obtain necessary details about the reported situations.

2

Implement response to emergency

2.1

Nature of emergency is investigated from eyewitnesses and/or inspection to determine what procedures should be implemented.

2.2

Communications to manage situation are established to enterprise policies and procedures.

2.3

Resources  and personnel are transported to site to implement action to enterprise procedures.

2.4

Site procedures are established to legislative requirements, enterprise procedures and emergency plans to control risks to people, the environment and to property.

2.5

Live fauna are moved in accordance with legislative and enterprise procedures.

2.6

Dead fauna are removed from site and biological matter is disposed of in accordance with enterprise procedures and health and safety requirements.

2.7

Site is cleaned in accordance with enterprise procedures to maintain public and environmental health and safety.

2.8

Measures are implemented that minimise risk to significant places, area, habitats, species and communities.

3

Coordinate response

3.1

General public and media are informed of the nature of the incident and agency decisions in accordance with enterprise guidelines.

3.2

Volunteers are coordinated and deployed according to their skills and available personal protective equipment.

3.3

Volunteers and staff are briefed on occupational health and safety hazards, preventive measures and reporting requirements.

3.4

Physical barriers are established to keep public away from animals to minimise distress to it and to protect the public.

3.5

Media is managed until authorities provide instructions.

3.6

Media is utilised according to instructions and enterprise procedures.

4

Care for affected animals

4.1

Team(s) are allotted to animals according to incident assessment, care instructions and skills within teams.

4.2

Animal first aid is applied.

4.3

Role in wildlife operations team is performed according to the command structure and procedures of the management plan.

4.4

Animal is cared for using a range of skills and according to veterinary instructions and enterprise procedures.

4.5

Occupational health and safety procedures are followed according to legislative, management plan and enterprise requirements.

5

Determine management options

5.1

Veterinary advice is sought where appropriate and according to enterprise guidelines.

5.2

Biological and incident data  on animals is collected according to enterprise procedures and scientific standards.

5.3

Management options are evaluated according to advice, condition of animal, risk assessment and according to enterprise guidelines.

5.4

Where required for scientific purposes and under enterprise procedures, released animals are humanely banded or tagged.

5.5

Selected management option is implemented according to enterprise guidelines, OHS requirements and risk assessment.

5.6

Equipment and staff required for return to wild or temporary captive management are sourced to enterprise procedures.

6

Remove carcass

6.1

Where necessary, inter-agency agreement is developed with local authority for removal of carcass.

6.2

Carcass is disposed of according to authority instructions.

6.3

Equipment and staff for disposal are sourced to enterprise procedures.

6.4

OHS requirements  are met.

7

Complete debrief and report

7.1

Where applicable, incident management processes for debrief and wash-up are followed.

7.2

Report provided to management according to enterprise guidelines.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole ?

Competence in responding to wildlife emergencies requires evidence that an individual can demonstrate that they have the required knowledge and skills to respond to wildlife emergencies according to enterprise guidelines and industry best practice. The skills and knowledge required to respond to wildlife emergencies must be transferable  to a range of work environments and contexts. For example, this could include different animal species, type and scope of emergencies and environments.

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria ?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below:

Animal biology and general behaviour.

Health risks associated with animals.

Public relations and media management.

Incident management systems.

State/Territory emergency procedures and networks.

Machinery and equipment operation.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria ?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

Evaluate natural resource emergency.

Implement and coordinate response to emergency.

Care for affected animals.

Determine management options.

Remove animal carcasses.

Complete debrief and prepare reports.

What processes should be applied to this competency standard ?

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies , although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.

1. How can communication of ideas and information  (3 ) be applied?

To public, media and management.

2. How can information be collected , analysed and organised  (3 )?

On incident or emergency.

3. How are activities planned and organised  (3 )?

Coordinate staff and volunteers.

4. How can team work  (3 ) be applied?

Caring for affected animals.

5. How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques  (1 ) be applied?

Estimating and measuring animals.

6. How can problem -solving skills  (3 ) be applied?

Determining and selecting management options.

7. How can the use of technology  (2 ) be applied?

Machinery and equipment.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one ?

This competency standard could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function.

For information about assessing this competency standard for consistent performance  and where and how it may be assessed , refer to the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Range of Variables 

The Range of Variables defines the different contexts, work environments and parameters governing the performance of this competency standard. The variables chosen in training and assessment will need to reflect local industry and regional contexts

Which key factors may impact on an appropriate response ?

Site condition, species, species number, animal condition and weather conditions.

What natural resource emergencies  may be included?

Marine animal incident management (whales and dolphins, seals and sea lions, turtles, sharks, dugongs, crocodiles, sea snakes, sea birds), oil and chemical spills, injured or dangerous animals (small animals and birds causing nuisance to the public, animals, birds and reptiles behaving aggressively or likely to behave aggressively to the public or causing public fear, either due to their normal behaviour patterns and/or injury) and animals injured by flood, fire or disease.

Which types of fauna  may be relevant to this standard?

Live or dead animals, single or mass stranding, healthy, injured or diseased animals, young and adult animals, entangled animals.

From which source would Incident Management  emerge?

ICS and/or enterprise procedures.

How would veterinarians  be employed?

By the enterprise or contracted under enterprise procedures.

What could Intra -agency co -operation  include?

Police, State Emergency Services, Marine authority.

What resources  may be included?

Vessels and personnel and equipment to operate vessels, vehicles, equipment and materials for moving live animal or carcass, load shifting equipment for shifting and burying carcass, aircraft and helicopters, firearms and ammunition, OHS protective and emergency equipment including first aid kits, nets, traps, ropes, protection for animals during handling, barriers to control public, personal protective equipment and special clothing for cold and wet work, food, drink and protective equipment for personnel and lighting for night work.

What biological and incident data  may be relevant to this standard?

Records of sequence of events leading to incident and resolution of incident, biological data required for research in enterprise, museums and/or universities such as physical dimensions, estimated weight and condition, veterinary information, including evidence of injury and/or disease, the taking of samples from animal and/or carcass and strict hygiene protocols (TB).

What OHS requirements  may be included?

General industry and enterprise OHS procedures, vessel safety in water and around distressed animals, safety of personnel in water, vehicle safety in dunes, beaches and other coastlines, marine animal attacks, bites and scratching, transmission of disease from live or dead animals, animals rolling on or trapping personnel, use of firearms, transport, handling and use of chemicals and veterinary substances and material handling in a beach/marine environment.

For more information on contexts, environment and variables for training and assessment refer to the Sector Booklet.