Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency involves operating safely in remote places and isolated areas.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Application of the unit 

Compliance operations are addressed SFICOMP409A Plan and undertake patrol operations, and SFICOMP302C Exercise compliance powers. This competency includes the additional skills and knowledge expected of a fisheries compliance officer working in an area remote from habitation where regular operational support is not readily available.

Prerequisite units 

SFICOMP310C

Operate off-road vehicles

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for remote area operations

1.1. Operational plans are clearly defined and conveyed to colleagues and base station.

1.2. Communication equipment  effective in the remote area is selected and tested.

1.3. Radio protocols for standard and emergency situations are current and known.

1.4. Risks associated with the operation and journey are assessed and risk minimisation strategies and contingency actions  planned.

1.5. Jurisdictional policies and procedures are followed.

1.6. Equipment and supplies identified in risk management strategies and contingency plans are obtained, checked and stored for efficiency and safety.

1.7. Travel plans are documented after selecting the most appropriate route to destination, method  and schedule of travel .

2. Travel in remote areas

2.1. Navigational aids  appropriate for the remote area and type of travel are utilised to ensure destinations and direction of travel are as planned

2.2. Communication equipment is used and communication protocols observed.

2.3. Travel is undertaken according to travel plan and risk minimisation strategies.

2.4. Emergency situations  are responded to according to contingency plans.

3. Operate in remote areas

3.1. Operations are undertaken ensuring the safety of colleagues, self and equipment.

3.2. Monitoring activities are undertaken with caution and due regard for safety of all personnel and equipment.

3.3. Witness statements and details are taken.

3.4. Arrested suspects are restrained.

3.5. Evidence is stored in a manner that will ensure its safety and preservation.

3.6. Intelligence gathering is routinely carried out and reports written up and presented.

4. Finalise details of remote area operation

4.1. Equipment is checked for serviceability and returned to storage.

4.2. Reports are made on operation and any problems encountered.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• administering first aid
• applying survival techniques
• communicating with colleagues and base station
• operating communication equipment
• planning for travel in remote areas
• responding appropriately to emergencies
• using navigational aids.

Literacy skills used for :

• documenting travel plans
• reading jurisdictional policies and procedures relating to remote area travel and operation
• using navigational aids and communication equipment
• writing reports on remote area operation and any problems encountered.

Numeracy skills used for :

• using navigational aids and communication equipment.

Required knowledge 

• equipment and supplies necessary for safe travel and operation in remote areas
• jurisdictional policies and procedures for safe travel and operation in remote areas
• navigational techniques
• risks associated with remote area travel and operations and strategies for minimising those risks.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit 

Assessment must confirm ability to:

• travel and operate safely and effectively in remote areas.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:

• the risks associated with travelling and operating in remote areas
• equipment, supplies and jurisdictional policies and procedures for minimising these risks.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment is to be conducted in a remote area but should be in the presence of others. Some emergency situations are too dangerous or difficult to invoke and should be assessed in a simulated situation.

Resources may include:

• equipment, including communication and navigational aids, required for remote travel and operation
• jurisdictional polices and procedures
• operational plans
• vehicles and vessels, as required, for remote travel.

Method of assessment 

The following assessment methods are suggested:

• demonstration
• documented travel plans
• practical exercises
• questions.

Guidance information for assessment 

This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range of variables places the competency in context and allows for differences between enterprises and workplaces, including practices, knowledge and requirements. The range of variables also provides a focus for assessment and relates to the unit as a whole. The following variables may be present.

Communication equipment  may include:

• mobile phones
• satellite telephones
• UHF/HF radio with SELCALL.

Risk management strategies  may include:

• backpack recovery equipment:

• D-shackle snatch block
• gloves
• high lift jack
• length of chain
• metal/wood base plate
• old blanket
• pickets
• rope
• shovel and axe
• snatch strap
• tree trunk protector

• jurisdictional policies and procedures related to remote area operations
• personal equipment:

• bushcraft aids (e.g. knife, nylon cord, needle and thread, hand axe in pouch, tow rope, digging tool, steel wool and electrical tape)
• emergency food supplies
• first aid kit
• fuel (e.g. solid fuel capsules, candle and waterproof matches)
• navigational aids, including global positioning system (GPS)/compass, map, pencil and notepad
• shelter aids (e.g. ground sheet, space blanket and plastic sheet)
• signal (e.g. heliograph, flashlight, night/day flares, whistle and marker panel)
• water containers and water purification tablets

• route
• scheduled radio checks (Radskeds)
• survival training
• timing and method of travel
• tools, vehicle and equipment spares
• vehicle attachments:

• bull bar
• driving/spot lights
• long range fuel tanks
• tow bar
• water tank
• winch (front and/or rear)

• vehicle servicing
• vessel safety and emergency equipment.

Contingency actions  may include:

• alternative communications plan
• first aid and medical support plan
• operational support plans
• retrieval and evacuation plans
• search and rescue plans.

Method of travel  may include:

• all terrain vehicle
• foot
• four-wheel drive (with/without loaded trailer)
• motorcycle
• vessel.

Navigational aids  may include:

• compass
• GPS
• stars
• topographical maps.

Emergency situations  may include:

• aggressive/hostile people
• animal/reptile and poisonous creature attack
• environmental conditions (e.g. flood, fire, tide, storm and wind)
• equipment failure
• ill health, accident, injury and poisoning
• immobilised vehicle/vessel (e.g. breakdown, damaged, bogged and grounded)
• lost and stranded
• shortage of food, water and shelter.

Unit sector 

Fisheries compliance

Co-requisite units 

Competency field