Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the dispatching of operational rappel personnel and equipment from a hovering helicopter for fire suppression purposes.

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 

PUAFIR209B Work safely around aircraft

PUAFIR212B Rappel from helicopter

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. Prepare operational dispatch equipment 

1.1 Specialist rappel  and dispatcher equipment is selected and prepared in accordance with the organisation's safe work practices 

1.2 Appropriate rappel and safety equipment  is donned in accordance with the organisation's requirements

1.3 Personal equipment pre-flight check is conducted in accordance with the organisation's requirements

1.4 Rappel and cargo ropes are loaded into the helicopter  and secured

1.5 Equipment faults are reported to the relevant supervisor for rectification or replacement

2. Conduct helicopter pre flight check and preparation 

2.1 Helicopter cabin area is prepared in accordance with the organisation's requirements

2.2 Emergency  equipment is located and checked

2.3 Rappel rope attachment points are inspected and operational status confirmed

2.4 Rappel ropes are attached to rope attachment points

2.5 Helicopter communications system  is tested and operational status confirmed

2.6 Helicopter equipment faults are reported to the pilot

2.7 Pre-mission brief details are confirmed with appropriate personnel

3. Load rappellers and equipment into helicopter 

3.1 Weight of rappel personnel, rappel and firefighting equipment is obtained

3.2 Equipment is secured in helicopter according to weight and balance requirements

3.3 Rappellers are appropriately secured in seats

3.4 Personal attachment to helicopter is confirmed

3.5 Pre-flight operational checks and briefs are undertaken in accordance with the organisation's requirements

4. Conduct rappel site inspection 

4.1 An overfly of prospective rappel site is undertaken in accordance with the organisation's requirements

4.2 Hazard assessment of proposed dispatch site is undertaken

4.3 Pilot and rappel crew leader are informed as to site suitability

4.4 Possible escape routes from fire are identified and conveyed to rappel crew

5. Dispatch rappel crew and their equipment 

5.1 Pre-dispatch checks of rappellers, attachment to rappel ropes and equipment is conducted in accordance with the organisation's requirements

5.2 Pilot is directed to place helicopter over rappel site in accordance with the organisation's requirements

5.3 Pilot's approval to conduct a rappel is obtained

5.4 Rappel rope is attached and checked by dispatcher

5.5 Rappellers are directed to helicopter skids using relevant hand signals in accordance with the organisation's requirements

5.6 Rappeller and equipment descent and landing are monitored

5.7 Communication is maintained with rappellers, pilot and control organisation

5.8 Emergency procedures  are invoked as required in accordance with the organisation's requirements

6. Retrieve personnel and equipment 

6.1 Appropriate ropes and equipment for the retrieval of rappellers are prepared

6.2 Pilot is briefed on proposed retrieval operation

6.3 Equipment and personnel extraction is conducted in accordance with the organisation's requirements

6.4 Personnel extraction is conducted in accordance with the organisation's requirements

7. Complete rappel operations 

7.1 Debrief of rappellers and pilot is conducted in accordance with the organisation's requirements

7.2 Relevant helicopter equipment is inspected and stowed and identified faults to helicopter equipment are reported to the pilot

7.3 Rappel equipment and rope attachment points are inspected in accordance with the organisation's requirements

7.4 Damage to rappel equipment is reported to appropriate personnel for assessment and/or repair/replacement or disposal in accordance with the organisation's procedures

7.5 Reports on operations are completed in accordance with the organisation's requirements

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required Skills 

confirmed competency as a rappeller

operation of rappel equipment

communication skill and signals

lowering and retrieving (including static extraction) rappelling techniques

Required Knowledge 

basic helicopter safety

organisation rappel policy

organisation operational rappel policy

basic helicopter environment awareness

aircraft conning procedures

key roles and relevant responsibilities of helicopter crew

weight distribution principles and effects upon aircraft

emergency procedures

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

For this unit it is essential that competence be demonstrated to:

undertake operations in accordance with OH&S procedures, legislative and operational guidelines

prepare, carriage and stow/seat equipment and rappellers prior to, during and following rappelling from the helicopter

apply correct procedures and techniques for sequencing and controlling rappelling operations

apply appropriate communication processes with crew persons and rappellers

demonstrate inspection and maintenance procedures

planning and deliver briefing/debriefing procedures

Consistency in performance 

Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:

codes of practice

hazard policy and emergency procedures

flight instructions

procedures relating to safe use of equipment

house keeping procedures

following workplace procedures

action taken promptly - accidents and incidents reported within regulatory and organisation requirements

work completed systematically in accordance with safe operating procedures to minimise risk of injury to self, others or damage to equipment

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Assessment will take place in a simulated environment followed by assessment by a certified operator on the job encompassing a number of scenarios

Specific resources for assessment 

rappelling equipment and materials

personal protective and safety equipment

an area to conduct operations

helicopter

briefing reports and organisation procedural documentation

appropriate personal

emergency information

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.

Rappel and safety equipment must comply with may include 

organisation requirements and relevant Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulations

Emergency situations may include 

power loss

engine failure

rappeller caught in tree

damaged or kinked rope

descent or landing injury

defective equipment

intercom failure

loss of height

aborted operation

personnel extraction

cabin fire

aircraft impact ground

rope attachment failure

Appropriate equipment will typically include 

fully body rappel harness

static Kernmantle rappel ropes

organisation specific descent device

wander harness

steel karabiner

fire equipment packs

communications helmet

organisation protective overalls

protective gloves

hook knives

Procedures and practices will typically include 

organisation operations manual supplement

civil aviation orders

helicopter company operations manual supplement

Rappel site selection will be determined by 

slope

vegetation type and density

canopy height

weather conditions

fire location

hazards

pilot ability

Dispatch of personnel and equipment may be conducted with 

helicopter hovering above ground

helicopter landed

Helicopter safety equipment will include 

fire extinguishers

emergency location beacon

first aid kit

survival kit

emergency exits

life vests

Communication systems may include 

aeronautical radio

intercom system

organisation radio

Equipment checks are carried out 

pre-flight

pre-dispatch of rappellers

pre-dispatch of equipment

pre-retrieval of personnel and equipment

post-flight

Reports to include 

flight following crew safety, crew progress

search and rescue

Co-requisite Unit /s 

Nil