Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare for incident response
- Assess incident situation and risks to people and animals, and discuss risk control strategies with team members
- Determine appropriate techniques and equipment for incident condition and size, weight and welfare requirements of the animal in consultation with others
- Participate in team briefing about incident action plan, objectives and own role
- Monitor safety and maintain situational awareness at all stages
- Prepare for technical large animal extrication
- Select and correctly fit appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Organise support equipment and supplies as instructed
- Locate, inspect and prepare manual and mechanical equipment required to extricate or lift the large animal
- Assist with set-up of incident area, including planned release area for animal and identified escape routes
- Cooperate and communicate clearly with team members to ensure safety of team and bystanders and to maintain animal welfare
- Prepare large animal for extrication
- Communicate with veterinarian regarding the need for physical restraint and sedation or anaesthetics for the animal, to allow safer access, provision of first aid and assistance with extrication
- Approach the animal calmly on the safer side and adopt correct position for technique and equipment employed
- Maintain control of the animal's head
- Attach lifting straps, slings or harness securely to the animal according to agreed plan
- Connect lifting strap, sling or harness securely to mechanical equipment, where lifting is required
- Assess and respond to animal behaviour to ensure safety of self, others and animal
- Extricate large animal
- Assist with steering, lifting and manoeuvring the animal safely to the planned location in readiness for release
- Remove the lifting sling, straps or harness in reverse order, maintaining a safe system of work and avoiding unnecessary stimulation of the animal
- Release large animal in a planned location to be treated or monitored during recovery phase
- Handle and make arrangements for disposal of deceased animals promptly, in a dignified and environmentally safe manner
- Conclude operations