Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers responding to emergency and rescue incidents and defines required to: investigate the circumstances and logistics for the emergency; carry out preparation and move to the rescue site; assess the situation and establish communication with additional or specialist help; carry out the required rescue or response to emergency; implement post incident responses.

Application of the unit 

This unit relates to responding to rescue incidents within the person's own area of responsibility.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for response

1.1. Equipment checked to ensure availability and serviceability.

1.2. Task and operational instructions are obtained in accordance with enterprise procedures.

1.3. Location details of incident is obtained in accordance with enterprise procedures.

2. Respond to incident

2.1. Travel to incident location is undertaken in a safe and efficient manner.

2.2. Communication with base station and other personnel is maintained at all times in accordance with enterprise procedures.

2.3. On site search activities are carried out as necessary in accordance with enterprise procedures and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements.

3. Rescue is effected

3.1. Incident scene is assessed and monitored for hazards and appropriateness of planned procedures.

3.2. Planned procedures are modified where necessary in response to local circumstances in accordance with enterprise procedures, safety and OHS requirements.

3.3. Support to other rescue services is provided as appropriate in accordance with enterprise procedures.

3.4. Access to casualties is gained safely in accordance with enterprise procedures and OHS requirements.

3.5. Protective equipment and clothing is used as appropriate in accordance with enterprise procedures, manufacturer's guidelines and OHS requirements.

3.6. Equipment is operated safely and appropriately in accordance with enterprise procedures, manufacturer's guidelines and OHS requirements.

3.7. Progress of rescue is communicated in accordance with enterprise procedures.

3.8. Casualties are treated, monitored and moved to safety in accordance with first aid and OHS procedures.

4. Implement post incident responses

4.1. Equipment recovered, cleaned and serviced in accordance with enterprise procedures, manufacturer's guidelines and OHS requirements.

4.2. Documentation is completed in accordance with enterprise requirements.

4.3. Incidents are reported in accordance with enterprise procedures.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• prepare for response
• respond to incident
• effect the rescue
• implement post-incident responses
• use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• local environmental conditions
• search and rescue methods
• operation and characteristics of rescue equipment, tools and vehicles
• environmental, public health and safety issues
• types of hazards and how they should be handled
• enterprise procedures, legislative and OHS requirements
• first aid, life preservation.

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 and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• investigate the circumstances and logistics for the emergency
• carry out preparation and move to the rescue site
• assess the situation and establish communication with additional or specialist help
• carry out the required rescue or response to emergency
• implement post incident responses.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Rescue incidents may include:

• fires
• drowning
• accidents
• vehicle
• boating
• accidents
• exposure to hazardous materials
• injury
• damage to equipment
• environment
• significant sites
• stranding
• exposure
• lost persons
• vehicle, boating and aircraft accidents.

Unit sector 

Work

Co-requisite units 

Competency field