Elements and Performance Criteria

Types of emergencies (imminent or actual) may include
natural events
drought
fire (forest
range
urban)
avalanche snow/ ice/ hail
tsunami
windstorm/ tropical storm
hurricane/ typhoon
biological
extreme heat/ cold
flood/ wind driven water
earthquakes/ land shifts
volcanic eruption
tornado/ cyclone
landslide/ mudslide
dust/ sand storms
lightning storm
search and rescue
fauna rescues (eg marine life rescue)

Technological/ industrial events may include
radiological accidents
dam/ levee failure
fuel/ resource shortages
hazardous material releases
explosions/ fire
transportation accidents
building/ structure collapse
power/ utility failure
extreme air pollution
strikes
business interruption
financial collapse

Civil/ political events may include
economic
general strike
terrorism
sabotage
hostage situation(s)
civil unrest
eco-terrorism
enemy attack

Considerations in the determination of the nature, extent and potential of an emergency may include
risk to life
risk to property
risk to environment
scope and scale of incident including likely duration of incident
resource availability
potential for changes in situation
topography
weather
speed of onset
hazard agent location
demography

Resources may include
human-operations personnel
volunteers
support personnel
local
state and federal governments
physical-equipment
machinery
vehicles
technology devices
communication devices
aviation and marine vessels

Information management system may include
data receival
recording
storage and dispatch modes
procedures and protocols
types of technology - electronic data exchange devices
audio and visual recording mechanisms
public/ media information dissemination
security and authorisation assignment
recording and documenting of incident

Personnel support activities may include supply of
catering
sanitation
shelter
rest/ relief counselling services
stress management services

Command facility establishment procedures and principles may include consideration of
proximity to emergency/ incident
size and type of structure
special incident requirements
communication modes
logistical operations
site access and exit requirements
security requirements
equipment characteristics
support services
amenities
parking
topography
environment
climatic conditions
logistical operations

Communication processes and systems may involve
designation of appropriate modes and channels of communication
communication responsibilities of personnel
radio communications
inter organisation liaison
data transfer
telecommunications
interpersonal communications

Internal and external personnel and authorities may involve
operational personnel
emergency organisations
ancillary organisations
higher authorities
public
media
clients
government and semi government authorities and departments
witnesses
victims
occupational health and safety specialists
emergency management specialists
service providers
other analysts and stakeholders

Support services may include
emergency agencies
water
gas and power agencies
welfare and counselling organisations
medical organisations
equipment suppliers
contractors
community service organisations
land management agencies
transport

Debriefing may include
critical incident stress debriefing
performance evaluations
operational analysis

Agreed reporting mechanisms will involve
authorisation
distribution and development of reports in accordance with regulatory and organisational requirements and may include:
media reports
ministerial reports
coronial reports
situation reports-within emergency
for external distribution-status reports
performance evaluations
legal reports
final reports
briefing papers

Activities controlled include
operations
planning
logistics
communications

Sources of information/ documents may include
emergency procedures
standard operating procedures
maps
field reports
relevant Australian or international documentation in disaster/emergency management
organisational and workplace operating procedures and policies
client requirements
communications technology equipment
oral
aural or signed communications
personal and work area work procedures and practices
evacuation procedures
occupational health & safety procedures
applicable State
Territory
Commonwealth legislation and regulations which relate to: public safety
state of emergency
occupational health & safety regulations and legislation
Workplace Relations Act(s)
workers compensation
privacy and confidentiality legislation
freedom of information
environment protection legislation
equal opportunity
equal employment opportunity and affirmative action legislation
standards and certification requirements
quality assurance procedures
memorandum of understanding/agreement
conventions
protocols
policies
codes of practice

Critical aspects of evidence
It is essential for this unit that competence be demonstrated in:
effective deployment, monitoring and communication of organisation allocated task(s);
analysis of emergency situations both functionally and strategically;
selection, prioritisation, implementation and evaluation of appropriate strategies;
implementation of response in accordance with organisational procedures and within bounds of authority;
securing emergency/operations site;
strategic reaction to changes within the emergency environment,
incorporation of risk management and contingency processes;
effective liaison with emergency controller; and
logging and recording all actions and decisions

Interdependent assessment of units
Pre-requisite units: PUAOPE001A Supervise response
PUAOPE004A Conduct briefing/debriefing (Fire Specific)
Co-requisite units: Nil

Underpinning knowledge
emergency site layout
organisational command structure
security and confidentiality of material
applications of relevant agreements
code of practice or other legislative requirements
identification and correct use of equipment
processes and procedures
knowledge of current principles and practices to conduct an activity which exercises elements of Public Safety Management

Underpinning skills
using a range of information technology devices including:
- computers
- radio frequency devices
- electronic data exchange systems etc
using tools and techniques to solve problems
effective and efficient deployment of human and physical resources including: operative and non-operative personnel
materials
equipment and consumables
operation of work systems and equipment
identification and correct use of equipment
processes and procedures
development of response plans including predicting consequences and identifying improvements
accessing information and support from the control facility, other organisations' personnel
and external authorities
effective deployment, monitoring and communication of organisation allocated task(s)
analyse emergency situations both functionally and strategically
select, prioritise, implement and evaluate appropriate strategies
implement response in accordance with organisational procedures and within bounds of authority
secure emergency/operations site
strategically react to changes within the emergency environment
incorporate risk management and contingency processes
liaise effectively with emergency controller

Resource implications
Resources should involve access to or simulation of emergency situations in a multi-organisation response environment. This includes resources relating to: equipment, personnel, facilities etc appropriate to the emergency situation and within the bounds of responsibility as designated within the requirements of control

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

Context of assessment
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment