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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare for search
  2. Handle and control canine
  3. Conduct search
  4. Provide search debriefing
  5. Maintain canine welfare and safety

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Required Skills

adjust handling strategies in response to changing environments

adjust search strategies in response to changing environments

carry out and interpret verbal instructions

collect analyse and organise information to develop an effective search strategy

control a canine off lead including in public locations

demonstrate appropriate commands when handling a canine

handle a canine to maintain control and prevent accidents or injury to self andor others including members of the public

interpret the actions and indications given by a canine

maintain physical fitness

make sound decisions in rapidly changing and often high risk environments

manage time and priorities in response to changing environments

work with other canine search teams

Required Knowledge

alert behaviours of canines and their causes such as the bark alert spontaneous repetitive barking for twenty seconds barking which may be interspersed with digging and attempts to penetrate

Australian Urban SearchampRescue Canine Capability Best Practice Guideline

biological and infectious hazards and safe management particularly involving human remains

canine olfactory system

capabilities of canines working within USAR operations

disaster victim identification principles and phases of operation

canine behaviour

canine physiology

canine psychology

factors used to determine appropriate search strategies

INSARAG structural and victim marking systems

organisational occupational health and safety OHampS legislation as it applies to urban search and rescue

organisational task force policies and procedures

principles of canine training including control association repetition commands rewards correction and positive motivational methodologies

risk analysis

safe working systems to reduce canine related incidents

scent theory and its application to the USAR environment such as commitment to live human scent very good penetration drive being committed to the scent not leaving victim location

USAR canine search methods and techniques

Evidence Required

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

follow the Australian Urban SearchampRescue Canine Capability Best Practice Guideline

implement USAR canine search methods and techniques

handle a canine to maintain control and prevent accidents or injury to self andor others including members of the public

apply emergency first aid techniques for canines

only accompanying the canine on the rubble pile when find is indicated or when directed by the assessor

conduct four searches within a hour period two searches must be conducted consecutively

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time under a range of conditions that would be expected in the workplace


Range Statement

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.

Interviews must include questions that determine:

time of the structural collapse

type of occupancy of the structure (school, office, apartment, building, etc.)

number of suspected missing

if structure has been searched before

if structural engineer has checked the building and findings

if structure is safe to enter

if blueprints are available

if HAZMAT has checked the area and findings

if utilities have been isolated, how and by whom

if heavy rescue is available

if medical is available

if a veterinarian is available

Site assessment techniques may include:

identifying any exclusion zones

identifying hazards

incident action plan

prevailing wind and weather conditions

results of initial reconnaissance

Search strategy must include:

delineation of primary and secondary search areas based on:

information gathered from interview/s

site assessment

Risks may include:

climatic conditions

distractions

lighting

other animals present

protruding objects

slippery floors

steps

terrain and obstacles to be traversed

Environmental conditions may include:

building configuration and size

cold

heat

rain

time delay

wind

Safe and appropriate manner may include:

canine search team being confident, calm and methodical

canine working off lead

managing canine in unsafe and high risk environments

working in accordance with relevant legislation, policy and guidelines

Maintaining control may include:

recalling the canine

canine being responsive to direction controls

canine responding to an emergency stop

canine directing away from canine search specialist on command

Working independently may include:

canine working at a distance from canine search specialist

canine working out of sight of canine search specialist

Distractions may include:

noises such as:

running generators

machinery

rescue tools

other distractions such as:

personnel

smoke

food

Assistance may include:

assisting canine to traverse difficult obstacles

guiding canine

helping canine onto unstable elevated surfaces

intervening to prevent accident or injury to the canine

providing motivation and support where necessary, however during an alert, support and motivation can only be provided after the canine has initiated the bark alert

stopping and restarting the search

taking appropriate breaks, rest and water

Canine actions, indications and characteristics must include:

ability to handle any distractions that may occur

ability to work scent cones

canine does not avoid obstacles

canine identifies live human scent with a bark alert

canine searches independently of canine search specialist

canine traverses all surfaces efficiently

canine covers search site as directed

high levels of search drive/eagerness/willingness to work

Canine actions indications and characteristics may include:

false alert

passive alert behaviours

Correctly indicating location of live human scent with a bark alert must include:

canine remaining at location of victim after indication of scent

canine search specialist notifying assessor of find

Required timeframe is defined as:

twenty minutes to search each search area after the completion of the briefing

Relevant information to be recorded may include:

details of areas searched

details of search and its conclusion

potential victim locations and any influencing factors

unidentified hazards

Sketch of search area must include:

alert locations

compass orientation

prominent features

Recommendations may include:

alternate search strategies (such as technical search, additional canine resources)

improving search processes

potential extrication points for victims

Relevant personnel may include:

member of incident management team

other canine search specialists

USAR canine search team leader

Legislation, policy and guidelines may include:

Australian Standards

Australian Urban Search & Rescue Canine Capability Best Practice Guideline

guidance notes

national codes of practice

organisational policies and procedures

state/territory and federal animal welfare legislation

state/territory occupational health, safety and welfare legislation and regulations

Basic care must include:

examining pads, webbing, toes, nails and bones of the foot of the canine

irrigating canine's eyes in an appropriate manner

treating minor injuries and contamination such as cuts, abrasions, foreign bodies, torn nails, fractures, sprains, irritant substances