Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
21/07/2026 11:20 PM AWST
21/07/2026 11:20 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Command agency personnel within a multi-agency emergency response
Command agency personnel within a multi-agency emergency response
Unit of competency
National Code
PUAOPE007B
PUAOPE007B
State Code
D3780
D3780
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
21/07/2014
Field of Education
080399 - Business And Management, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
21/07/2014
Nominal Hours
80
Description
This unit covers the competence to command an organisation's personnel within a multi-agency emergency response environment.Command is the internal direction of the members and resources of an organisation in the performance of the organisation's roles and tasks by agreement or in accordance with relevant legislation. Command operates vertically within an organisation.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Take command
- 1.1 Command is exercised in accordance with organisation authority and guidelines.
- 1.2 The identity, location and contact details of the commander are communicated to internal personnel and to relevant external authorities/organisations/individuals pertinent to the emergency/incident.
2. Establish a command facility
- 2.1 An appropriate command facility is established and operated in accordance with organisational guidelines.
- 2.2 Details of the facility are communicated to internal personnel and to relevant external authorities/organisations/individuals as required.
3. Establish a command structure
- 3.1 A command structure is established appropriate to the nature and complexity of the task (s) undertaken by the organisation.
- 3.2 The command structure is expanded, contracted or modified in response to changes within the emergency environment.
4. Establish procedures to permit command to be exercised
- 4.1 Command structure is communicated to internal personnel and external authorities/individuals whom may have a regulatory interest applicable to the emergency/incident.
- 4.2 Command information management system is implemented.
- 4.3 Communication mechanisms and procedures are implemented between levels of command in accordance with organisational guidelines.
- 4.4 Liaison is established and maintained to meet control and command requirements.
- 4.5 A public information system is established in accordance with control plan requirements.
5. Determine operational command plan
- 5.1 Tasks are received and/or determined in accordance with the control requirements.
- 5.2 Operational command plan to implement strategies is developed and modified as required in accordance with organisational guidelines.
- 5.3 Appropriate tactics to effectively manage the emergency/incident are identified in accordance with the operational command plan.
6. Manage resources under organisation command
- 6.1 Resources are deployed to ensure that the operational command plan is implemented in accordance with organisational guidelines.
- 6.2 Human and physical resources are effectively managed to achieve command plan outcomes.
7. Manage operation(s)
- 7.1 Operations are conducted in accordance with the operational command plan.
- 7.2 Significant changes in status and actions taken are reported consistent with organisational policy and procedures.
- 7.3 Operations are redirected as required to meet changes in the conditions which affect the emergency/incident situation.
8. Conclude operation(s)
- 8.1 Physical, human and capital resources are accounted for in accordance with organisational guidelines.
- 8.2 Debriefing requirements are met in accordance with organisational guidelines.
- 8.3 Operational documentation is completed to organisation standards.
- 8.4 Reports are produced as required.
9. Review operations
- 9.1 Plans and guidelines are evaluated and reviewed.
- 9.2 Effectiveness of command and interaction with control is evaluated and documented.
- 9.3 Reports are produced and communicated in accordance with established protocols.
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.
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 e.g. 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/territory 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 include:
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 include:
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 and safety procedures
applicable state, territory, commonwealth legislation and regulations which relate to:
public safety
state of emergency
occupational health and 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
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 e.g. 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/territory 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 include:
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 include:
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 and safety procedures
applicable state, territory, commonwealth legislation and regulations which relate to:
public safety
state of emergency
occupational health and 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 for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
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
Consistency in performance
Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment.
Specific resources for assessment
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.
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
Consistency in performance
Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment.
Specific resources for assessment
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.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C3899 | PUAOPE007A | Command agency personnel within a multi-agency emergency response | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAY08 | PUAOPE007 | Command organisational personnel within a multi-agency emergency response | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J045 | CHC52312 | Diploma of Community Services (Development and or Humanitarian Assistance) | Qualification |
| BAL4 | FWP50116 | Diploma of Forest and Forest Products | Qualification |
| J478 | FPI50111 | Diploma of Forest and Forest Products | Qualification |