PUAOPE014A Navigate to an incident

Revision Number: 2

PUAOPE014A Navigate to an incident

Modification History

Release	TP version	Comments
2	PUA12 V1	Layout adjusted.
1	PUA00 V8.1	Primary release on TGA.

Unit Descriptor

This unit covers the competency required to navigate to an incident in urban and rural environments.

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

Application of the Unit

This unit applies to a person who is required to make decisions about the most appropriate route to an incident. This involves determining the current location of personnel, destination and resources required; determining and planning the route; navigating to the destination; and completing any post-navigating activities.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Not applicable.

Pre-Requisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills Information

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

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 Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
1. Determine current location, destination and resources	1.1 Incident and task information is obtained. 1.2 Relevant navigational maps and navigation equipment are gathered and checked. 1.3 Positional information and navigation techniques are applied to plot positions on a map and to determine current location and destination within accepted tolerances.
2. Determine and plan a safe route	2.1 Navigation plans are prepared according to organisational practices. 2.2 Maps, navigation techniques, map features, local and environmental conditions are interpreted to determine and plan a safe and timely route. 2.3 Potential access restrictions which may limit thoroughfare are identified and arrangements are made to gain access in accordance with organisational policies, practices and regulatory requirements.
3. Navigate to destination	3.1 Navigation plans and navigation aids are used to maintain compliance with planned route. 3.2 Indicated route is communicated and followed as required. 3.3 Current location is regularly verified within accepted tolerances. 3.4 Route is modified to address prevailing conditions and, if required, alternate route strategies are initiated. 3.5 Unanticipated access difficulties are reported in accordance with organisational policies and procedures. 3.6 En route and arrival reporting information is communicated using communications systems as required, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
4. Complete post navigational activities	4.1 Reporting requirements are completed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures. 4.2 Navigational equipment and aids are recovered, reset, updated, serviced and stored according to operational standards and manufacturer's specifications.

Required Skills and Knowledge

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.
Required Skills
communicate verbally identify natural and cultural features for transport modes solve problems use maps and navigation aids
Required Knowledge
cartographic symbols and legends grid/magnetic conversion map and chart types methods for determining current location organisational policies and procedures (such as relevant legislation; operational, corporate and strategic plans; operational performance standards; operational policies and procedures; organisational personnel and occupational health and safety practices and guidelines; organisational quality standards; organisation's approach to environmental management and sustainability) route planning techniques and calculations

Evidence Guide

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit	Assessment must confirm the ability to: plot a navigation route accurately and within accepted tolerances when following a route maintain positional awareness react effectively to changes in the operating environment that require re-planning of a course demonstrating navigation to an incident in urban and/or rural locations. Consistency in performance Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment	Context of assessment Competency should be assessed in an actual incident, exercise or simulation or series of tasks required to demonstrate competence including demonstrating navigation to an incident in urban and/or rural locations. Specific resources for assessment Access is required to: equipment used in operational navigation
Method of assessment	In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook. Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment. Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include: direct observation interviewing the candidate journals and workplace documentation third party reports from supervisors written or oral questions

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.
Incident and task information may include:	Areas of probability Data gathering En route and arrival information Establishing radii Flood height predictions Nature of incident Plotting fire fronts Rates of fire line constructions Search operation
Navigational maps may include:	Aerial photographs Cadastral maps Emergency service maps Local authority maps Navigational charts Satellite imagery Street directories Topographic maps
Navigation equipment may include:	Area plotters Communications equipment Computers Geographical information systems (GIS) Global positioning systems (GPS) Magnetic compasses Protractors Romers Scale rules Watch/stopwatch Writing equipment
Accepted tolerances may include:	Prevailing weather and environmental conditions Relating the margin of error allowable as determined by the nature of the task/incident terrain
Navigation techniques may include:	Bearings and back bearings Defining or plotting incident location Delineation of search areas Grid and latitude/longitude conversions Identifying features Magnetic conversions Planning access and egress routes Plotting and calculation of areas subject to hazard impact such as flood inundation, fire damage Resection and triangulation Route-time calculations
Map features include:	Cartographic symbols and legends Contour intervals Contours Cultural information Date of map Datum information Eastings and northings Grid references Hill shading Latitude and longitude Legend Magnetic variation North point/s Scale Transport routes Vegetation types
Environmental conditions may include:	Atmospheric conditions Fire Flood Hazardous goods and dangerous materials Need to match transportation mode to terrain Road conditions including vehicle height and/or width clearance requirements Seasonal factors such as snow, ice extreme heat Storm damage Time of day
Potential access restrictions may include:	Agency and regulatory requirements Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sacred sites Hazardous areas Military areas Other areas of cultural significance Other areas requiring permission and/or authorisation to enter Seasonal factors Wilderness areas
Communicating indicated route may include:	Hand signals Verbal instructions Written instructions
Alternate route strategies may include:	Lost procedures Use of additional/alternate vehicles
Communications systems may include:	Intercom system Internet based systems Radio system Telephone systems
Reporting requirements may include:	Completion of organisational documentation Input to debriefs Journal records Pre-departure briefing Situational reports

Unit Sector(s)

Not applicable.