Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:05 PM AWST
22/07/2026 11:05 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.
Control a Level 3 incident
Control a Level 3 incident
Unit of competency
National Code
PUAOPE019A
PUAOPE019A
State Code
D5507
D5507
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Transition (Replaced)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
18/08/2011
Field of Education
099905 - Security Services
Original Release Date
18/08/2011
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit covers the competency required to take and establish control of a Level 3 incident.A Level 3 incident is characterised by degrees of complexity that may require the establishment of divisions for the effective management of the incident. Control refers to the overall direction of emergency management activities at an incident. Authority for control is established in legislation or in an emergency plan and carries with it the responsibility for tasking other organisations in accordance with the needs of the situation. Control relates to situations and operates horizontally across organisations.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Establish control
- 1.1 Control is established in accordance with designated responsibility/authority.
- 1.2 Identity of the controller is communicated to participating organisations/authorities and to relevant authorities/organisations pertinent to the emergency/incident situation.
- 1.3 Nature, extent and potential of an incident is identified through liaison with relevant personnel/authorities.
2. Establish a control facility
- 2.1 Appropriate control facility is established in accordance with approved operating procedures.
- 2.2 Establishment of the facility is communicated to participating and relevant personnel/authorities.
- 2.3 Communications systems and procedures are established to facilitate the functions of control.
3. Establish and maintain a control structure
- 3.1 Control structure is established appropriate to the nature and complexity of the emergency, encompassing specific roles and responsibilities of each participating organisation.
- 3.2 Control structure is scaled up or down in response to changes within the emergency environment.
- 3.3 Flow of information is managed ensuring accurate recording and reporting mechanisms are established and maintained.
- 3.4 Control systems are identified and managed in accordance with the control structure.
4. Establish procedures to permit control to be exercised
- 4.1 Control structure is communicated to participating organisations and relevant authorities/individuals who may have a regulatory or economic interest applicable to the emergency/incident.
- 4.2 Communication is implemented to provide an effective exchange between the controller and all organisations engaged in the emergency, supporting organisations, coordinator, higher authorities, media.
- 4.3 Liaison is initiated and maintained with organisations that may provide information or resources applicable to the emergency/incident.
5. Assess the situation and determine priorities
- 5.1 Information about incident is sought from participating organisations and relevant sources.
- 5.2 Community and environmental risks are identified.
- 5.3 Relevant information is analysed and processed to establish priorities for dealing with the incident.
- 5.4 Incident objectives are determined, utilising consultation where appropriate and are communicated within and external to the incident.
- 5.5 Need for immediate provision of assistance to the public and for recovery management is considered and appropriate support and recovery agencies are notified.
- 5.6 Objectives are continually reviewed in light of information updates, reports and feedback.
6. Develop an Incident Action Plan
- 6.1 Appropriate strategies are determined to achieve objectives.
- 6.2 Components of strategies are determined in consultation with organisations.
- 6.3 Incident Action Plan (IAP) is documented in writing.
7. Maintain control of incident
- 7.1 Incident planning and logistics support is maintained.
- 7.2 Situation systems are provided to the control organisation.
- 7.3 Planning meeting is conducted with Incident Management Team and key agency commanders.
- 7.4 Information is provided to community and other stakeholders with an emphasis on public safety.
- 7.5 Communication to community and other stakeholders is accurate and is delivered in a timely manner using appropriate strategies.
- 7.6 Incident records are maintained in accordance with organisational guidelines.
8. Implement an Incident Action Plan
- 8.1 Strategies are implemented through delegation within the control structure and allocation to supporting organisations.
- 8.2 IAP is monitored to meet changes in conditions and modifications are made where appropriate.
- 8.3 IAP is communicated to relevant organisations following established procedures.
9. Conclude incident activities
- 9.1 Support requirements for recovery management are provided as required.
- 9.2 Physical, human and fiscal resources are accounted for.
- 9.3 Debriefing requirements are met and operational control documentation is completed.
- 9.4 Reports are produced as required.
10. Review incident activities
- 10.1 Plans and procedures are evaluated and reviewed.
- 10.2 Effectiveness of the control function and its interaction with command organisations is evaluated and documented.
- 10.3 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.
Nature of the incident (imminent or actual) may include:
Biological
Civil/political events such as:
civil unrest
economic
eco-terrorism
enemy attack
financial collapse
general strike
hostage situation/s
sabotage
strikes
terrorism
Fire (forest, range, urban)
Natural events such as:
avalanche snow/ice/hail
drought
dust/sand storms
earthquakes/land shifts
extreme heat/cold
fauna rescue (e.g. marine life rescue)
flood/wind driven water
hurricane/typhoon
landslide/mudslide
lightning storm
search and rescue
tornado/cyclone
tsunami
volcanic eruption
windstorm/tropical storm
Technological/industrial events such as:
bio-hazards
building/structure collapse
business interruption
dam/levee failure
explosions/fire
extreme air pollution
fuel/resource shortages
hazardous material releases
power/utility failure
radiological accidents
transportation accidents
Establishing control facility may include consideration of:
Amenities
Climatic conditions
Communication modes
Equipment characteristics
Legislation
Logistical operations
Proximity to emergency/incident
Safety requirements
Security requirements
Site access and exit requirements
Size and type of structure
Span of control
Special incident requirements
Support services
Topography
Communications systems and procedures may include:
Communications planning
Communications responsibilities of personnel
Data transfer
Designation of appropriate modes and channels of communication
Inter organisation liaison
Interpersonal communications
Radio communications
Telecommunications
Identifying control systems may include:
Communications systems
Fiscal
Human
Information flow, e.g. media
Physical
Political
Agreed reporting mechanisms may include:
Authorisation, distribution and developments of reports in accordance with regulatory and organisational requirements and may include:
briefing papers
final reports
for external distribution-status reports
legal reports
media reports
ministerial reports
performance evaluations
situation reports-within emergency
Resources may include:
Aircraft
Communications devices
Equipment
Fiscal
Local, state/territory and federal governments
Machinery
Operations personnel
Support personnel
Technology devices
Volunteers
Vehicles
Incident Action Plan may include:
Accommodation and welfare arrangements
Communications Plan
Incident objectives
Information on alternative or fallback strategies
Information Plan for dissemination of information to all stakeholders
Information regarding the necessary logistical arrangements
Management arrangements, including establishment of sectors and divisions
Management structure if established
Maps or site plans of the incident
Medical Plan and consideration of occupational health and safety issues
Resources to be allocated to each division and sector
Risk assessment based on current and predicted circumstances
Safety concerns and actions for mitigating risk
Statement of current situation and predictions of the incident's likely development (including key risk exposures)
Strategies to achieve defined incident objectives
Structural chart depicting the personnel in the incident management arrangements, including establishment of sectors and divisions
Timings of meetings and changeovers
Traffic management
Providing information to the community may include:
Advice about evacuation
Emergency warnings
Relocation
Situation update
Relevant organisations may include:
Ancillary organisations
Clients
Community groups
Emergency management specialists
Emergency organisations
Government and semi government authorities and departments
Higher authorities
Media
Occupational health and safety specialists
Other analysts and other stakeholders
Public
Service providers
Victims
Witnesses
Nature of the incident (imminent or actual) may include:
Biological
Civil/political events such as:
civil unrest
economic
eco-terrorism
enemy attack
financial collapse
general strike
hostage situation/s
sabotage
strikes
terrorism
Fire (forest, range, urban)
Natural events such as:
avalanche snow/ice/hail
drought
dust/sand storms
earthquakes/land shifts
extreme heat/cold
fauna rescue (e.g. marine life rescue)
flood/wind driven water
hurricane/typhoon
landslide/mudslide
lightning storm
search and rescue
tornado/cyclone
tsunami
volcanic eruption
windstorm/tropical storm
Technological/industrial events such as:
bio-hazards
building/structure collapse
business interruption
dam/levee failure
explosions/fire
extreme air pollution
fuel/resource shortages
hazardous material releases
power/utility failure
radiological accidents
transportation accidents
Establishing control facility may include consideration of:
Amenities
Climatic conditions
Communication modes
Equipment characteristics
Legislation
Logistical operations
Proximity to emergency/incident
Safety requirements
Security requirements
Site access and exit requirements
Size and type of structure
Span of control
Special incident requirements
Support services
Topography
Communications systems and procedures may include:
Communications planning
Communications responsibilities of personnel
Data transfer
Designation of appropriate modes and channels of communication
Inter organisation liaison
Interpersonal communications
Radio communications
Telecommunications
Identifying control systems may include:
Communications systems
Fiscal
Human
Information flow, e.g. media
Physical
Political
Agreed reporting mechanisms may include:
Authorisation, distribution and developments of reports in accordance with regulatory and organisational requirements and may include:
briefing papers
final reports
for external distribution-status reports
legal reports
media reports
ministerial reports
performance evaluations
situation reports-within emergency
Resources may include:
Aircraft
Communications devices
Equipment
Fiscal
Local, state/territory and federal governments
Machinery
Operations personnel
Support personnel
Technology devices
Volunteers
Vehicles
Incident Action Plan may include:
Accommodation and welfare arrangements
Communications Plan
Incident objectives
Information on alternative or fallback strategies
Information Plan for dissemination of information to all stakeholders
Information regarding the necessary logistical arrangements
Management arrangements, including establishment of sectors and divisions
Management structure if established
Maps or site plans of the incident
Medical Plan and consideration of occupational health and safety issues
Resources to be allocated to each division and sector
Risk assessment based on current and predicted circumstances
Safety concerns and actions for mitigating risk
Statement of current situation and predictions of the incident's likely development (including key risk exposures)
Strategies to achieve defined incident objectives
Structural chart depicting the personnel in the incident management arrangements, including establishment of sectors and divisions
Timings of meetings and changeovers
Traffic management
Providing information to the community may include:
Advice about evacuation
Emergency warnings
Relocation
Situation update
Relevant organisations may include:
Ancillary organisations
Clients
Community groups
Emergency management specialists
Emergency organisations
Government and semi government authorities and departments
Higher authorities
Media
Occupational health and safety specialists
Other analysts and other stakeholders
Public
Service providers
Victims
Witnesses
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:
establish and maintain control for the effective management of the incident
effectively assign and monitor organisation allocated task/s
analyse incidents both functionally and strategically
select, prioritise, implement and evaluate appropriate courses of action
strategically react to changes within the emergency environment
incorporate risk management and contingency processes
implement risk assessment processes
modify activities to cater for variations and changes in emergency contexts and environments
approve plans and strategies to control the incident
initiate recovery arrangements
describe consequences
complete tasks
identify improvements
apply safe work practices
show evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
hazard policies and procedures
issue resolution procedures
job procedures and work instruction guidelines relating to the procurement of resources
quality assurance procedures (where existing)
privacy
confidentiality and security procedures
waste, pollution and environmental management recovery processes
complete work systematically ensuring minimal damage to equipment and environment.
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 operational environment or in an industry-approved multi-agency simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
Level 3 incidents or simulation of Level 3 incidents, in a multi-agency response environment
equipment, personnel, facilities appropriate to a Level 3 incident and within the bounds of the Incident Controller's responsibility
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
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
establish and maintain control for the effective management of the incident
effectively assign and monitor organisation allocated task/s
analyse incidents both functionally and strategically
select, prioritise, implement and evaluate appropriate courses of action
strategically react to changes within the emergency environment
incorporate risk management and contingency processes
implement risk assessment processes
modify activities to cater for variations and changes in emergency contexts and environments
approve plans and strategies to control the incident
initiate recovery arrangements
describe consequences
complete tasks
identify improvements
apply safe work practices
show evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
hazard policies and procedures
issue resolution procedures
job procedures and work instruction guidelines relating to the procurement of resources
quality assurance procedures (where existing)
privacy
confidentiality and security procedures
waste, pollution and environmental management recovery processes
complete work systematically ensuring minimal damage to equipment and environment.
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 operational environment or in an industry-approved multi-agency simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
Level 3 incidents or simulation of Level 3 incidents, in a multi-agency response environment
equipment, personnel, facilities appropriate to a Level 3 incident and within the bounds of the Incident Controller's responsibility
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
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAX98 | PUAOPE019 | Control a Level 3 incident | Unit of competency |
