Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
24/07/2026 6:44 AM AWST
24/07/2026 6:44 AM 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.
Read and interpret maps
Read and interpret maps
Unit of competency
National Code
PUAECO006A
PUAECO006A
State Code
D5486
D5486
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
18/08/2011
Field of Education
120505 - Work Practices Programmes
Original Release Date
18/08/2011
Nominal Hours
10
Description
This unit covers the competency required to read, interpret and plot locations using paper based maps, and mapping software and systems to relay incident locations to emergency responders.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Identify incident location from caller
- 1.1 Effective communicationtechniques are used to ascertain incident location as quickly and as precisely as possible, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.2 Information and reports are received from a variety of identified sources.
2. Provide grid references from paper maps to incident operations team
- 2.1 Map features are identified and located using marginal information on paper maps.
- 2.2 Six figure grid references are received and used.
- 2.3 Grid references are calculated using magnetic bearings, and/or latitude and longitude and/or incident location details provided by callers.
- 2.4 Relevant references using the current standards are provided to field personnel for use by portable navigational aids.
- 2.5 Directional information is provided to operations team on request.
3. Use mapping software and systems to locate incidents and dispatch resources
- 3.1 Mapping system is access and logged into, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
- 3.2 Information provided by caller is used to enter grid references into computer aided dispatch (CAD) system.
- 3.3 Visual representation markers analysed to locate incident.
- 3.4 Location is verified with caller using system information.
- 3.5 Location is save to the CAD system and resources are dispatched in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
4. Plot an incident location from magnetic bearings from fixed and mobile fire towers
- 4.1 Software or pen and paper are used to draw a line from a given landmark or fire tower to calculate distance and general location.
- 4.2 Information is obtained from other fixed or mobile fire towers or infrastructure to fix a position.
- 4.3 Data is analysed to accurately plot incident location and is relayed to land or air operations using six figure grid references and/or latitude and longitude.
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.
Effective communication techniques may include
clarifying
giving full attention to the caller
maintaining contact with the caller and prompts
summarising
using appropriate questioning
Sources of information may include:
aircraft
map symbols
other agencies
other emergency services
watercraft
Map features may include:
building structures and services
infrastructure including bridges, towers, railways, roads, dams
locked gates and cattle grids
road types and classifications
topographical features (such as hills, streams, trees, termite mounds)
Map types must include:
cadastral maps
topographical maps
Marginal information must include:
key information
map scale
symbols, markings, notations
Directional information may include:
cardinal points
degree systems including bearings, back bearings, north points, magnetic variation and conversion of bearings
navigation and map reading aids
Fixing a position must include:
triangulation
using local objects
Standards must include:
geocentric Datum of Australia (referred to as GDA94 or GDA)
converting Australian Map Grid (AMG66) to GDA94 and vice versa
global positioning systems (GPS) international standard
Portable navigational aids may include:
GPS
geographic information systems (GIS)
proprietary handheld and vehicular devices (such as nav man, tom tom)
Visual representation markers may include:
symbols for hospitals, schools etc.
Determining location of incident and response may include using:
computer aided dispatch system
directories
manuals
other reference material
relevant mapping information
Effective communication techniques may include
clarifying
giving full attention to the caller
maintaining contact with the caller and prompts
summarising
using appropriate questioning
Sources of information may include:
aircraft
map symbols
other agencies
other emergency services
watercraft
Map features may include:
building structures and services
infrastructure including bridges, towers, railways, roads, dams
locked gates and cattle grids
road types and classifications
topographical features (such as hills, streams, trees, termite mounds)
Map types must include:
cadastral maps
topographical maps
Marginal information must include:
key information
map scale
symbols, markings, notations
Directional information may include:
cardinal points
degree systems including bearings, back bearings, north points, magnetic variation and conversion of bearings
navigation and map reading aids
Fixing a position must include:
triangulation
using local objects
Standards must include:
geocentric Datum of Australia (referred to as GDA94 or GDA)
converting Australian Map Grid (AMG66) to GDA94 and vice versa
global positioning systems (GPS) international standard
Portable navigational aids may include:
GPS
geographic information systems (GIS)
proprietary handheld and vehicular devices (such as nav man, tom tom)
Visual representation markers may include:
symbols for hospitals, schools etc.
Determining location of incident and response may include using:
computer aided dispatch system
directories
manuals
other reference material
relevant mapping information
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:
determine and accurately relay location of an incident using a variety of paper and electronic methods including:
computer aided dispatch system
metropolitan street directories
topographical maps of various scales
map reading software and systems
portable hand held and vehicle mounted navigational aids
other reference material
determine and accurately relay location of an incident given information which may include one or more of the following pieces of information:
magnetic bearings
six figure grid references
latitude and longitude
street directory or map grid and/or page reference numbers
one or more of the following - street, suburb, town landmark.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time during emergency communications centre operations or simulated operations that include critical and non-critical situations across a range of different callers, types of emergencies and level of activity.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment under conditions expected in the workplace.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
resources required under normal operational conditions
resources required in disaster back-up conditions
resources required in field or incident management system conditions.
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed with the following unit:
PUAECO002A Process emergency incident calls and enquiries.
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.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
determine and accurately relay location of an incident using a variety of paper and electronic methods including:
computer aided dispatch system
metropolitan street directories
topographical maps of various scales
map reading software and systems
portable hand held and vehicle mounted navigational aids
other reference material
determine and accurately relay location of an incident given information which may include one or more of the following pieces of information:
magnetic bearings
six figure grid references
latitude and longitude
street directory or map grid and/or page reference numbers
one or more of the following - street, suburb, town landmark.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time during emergency communications centre operations or simulated operations that include critical and non-critical situations across a range of different callers, types of emergencies and level of activity.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment under conditions expected in the workplace.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
resources required under normal operational conditions
resources required in disaster back-up conditions
resources required in field or incident management system conditions.
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed with the following unit:
PUAECO002A Process emergency incident calls and enquiries.
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.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAZ46 | PUAECO006 | Read and interpret maps | Unit of competency |
