Elements and Performance Criteria
- Respond to large animal incident
- Gather adequate information to assess the nature of the incident, exact location and the resources required to respond to the incident
- Assess feasibility and likelihood of success of available options for managing animal/s at the incident scene
- Devise an incident action plan
- Organise external support, including a veterinarian and/or emergency or medical services, according to the nature of the incident and additional support required
- Select and prepare personal protective equipment (PPE), rescue tool kit and equipment required for the incident
- Establish and maintain incident scene safety
- Assess human, animal and environmental hazards and risks at scene using a systematic approach
- Liaise with animal owner and/or veterinarian at incident scene
- Prioritise required actions promptly according to organisational large animal response plan
- Establish zones to manage access to the incident scene and members of the public and/or animal owners
- Manage response
- Manage and stabilise animal/s
- Implement hygiene and biosecurity precautions according to organisational requirements
- Conduct initial assessment of the animal, in conjunction with veterinarian if in attendance, to determine injury type, severity and potential complications related to the extrication of the animal
- Discuss with veterinarian sedation or anaesthesia requirements to implement the incident action plan
- Assist veterinarian to restrain, stabilise and/or treat animal/s according to animal needs
- Protect animal/s from injury during rescue according to extrication technique employed and species-specific needs
- Carry out incident operations
- Implement plan to extricate animal/s in consultation with team, veterinarian and/or other technical specialists
- Provide clear instructions to team members about the plan, including techniques, equipment, safety, and access and escape routes
- Extricate animals using recognised techniques and equipment appropriate for the animal species and incident
- Release animal/s in planned area and monitor recovery and welfare
- Reunite animal/s to owner or appropriate personnel, or organise arrangements for deceased animals according to organisational procedures
- Conclude incident operations
- Recover, clean and store equipment according to organisational requirements
- Contribute to media communications and public relations according to organisational procedures and nature of incident
- Conduct incident debrief according to organisational procedures
- Complete records and reports to organisational standards