The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Prerequisite Unit/s

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify, define and engage the community

1.1 A community profile is developed to identify broad characteristics and special needs

1.2 Known risks, stakeholders, community and agency sources of information are used to identify networks that may be useful

1.3 A working group is established with an appropriate balance of expertise, representation and authority

1.4 Group's knowledge of emergency risk management principles, terminology and processes is developed

1.5 Means of implementing the emergency risk management process is negotiated with the community

1.6 Feasible consultation and project management strategies are developed with stakeholders

1.7 Need for specialised information, additional skills and expertise is identified

2. Develop context and risk evaluation criteria

2.1 Community concerns, drivers/triggers; applicable legislative, regulatory and organisational requirements; policies, procedures and desired outcomes are identified

2.2 Information on community characteristics, safety expectations, risk perceptions and the roles and requirements of stakeholders is collected

2.3 Practical constraints, existing treatment strategies and community expectations are considered when developing relevant risk evaluation criteria

2.4 Draft criteria and supporting explanations are circulated widely for comment

3. Identify and analyse risks

3.1 Sources of risk are identified and described using research and broad input from specialists and stakeholders

3.2 Elements at risk are identified by examining the interaction between sources of risk, communities and the environment

3.3 Vulnerability of communities and/or the environment is determined by considering their susceptibility and resilience to sources of risk

3.4 Risk statements are developed that clearly describe the interaction between sources of risk and the elements at risk

3.5 Risk statements are analysed by considering the likelihood and consequences of impacts on the community and/or environment

3.6 Levels of risks are established and documented so that they can be understood by a wide range of audiences

4. Evaluate risks

4.1 Criteria to evaluate risks are agreed

4.2 Risks are prioritised by considering vulnerability and priority for treatment

4.3 Stakeholder agreement is sought through their involvement in refining the risk register

4.4 A risk assessment report is disseminated to relevant stakeholders

5. Promote ongoing commitment and ownership for the process and outcomes

5.1 Consultation is undertaken at all stages of the process using a wide range of networks and individuals

5.2 A variety of communication strategies is used

5.3 All stages of the process, decisions taken and outcomes are documented accurately in accordance with accountability and audit requirements

5.4 Information is provided to the community in ways that suit their language, literacy and cultural needs

6. Monitor and review the process and outcomes

6.1 Emergency risk assessment is completed efficiently

6.2 All relevant data and contact information for key individuals and organisations is regularly reviewed for currency and updated

6.3 Risk register is reviewed in accordance with the review schedule or in response to drivers/triggers

6.4 Opportunities for improving emergency management processes are reported

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

Required Skills

define and solve problems

demonstrate effective interpersonal interactions

gain cooperation of stakeholders

listen actively

locate and interpret community information

manage projects

maximise the participation of committee members

monitor and enhance team work

negotiate agreed outcomes despite incomplete and/or uncertain information

recognise the relevance and significance of information for the emergency risk management process

resolve conflicts between participants constructively

summarise and explain key information clearly

value diversity of views and perceptions of risks

Required Knowledge

Australian Standard AS/NZS 4360

culture, diversity and history of communities, environments and associated concerns, issues and sensitivities, perception of risks

decision making techniques

Emergency Risk Management Guidelines (1999)

emergency risk management process (Australian Standard AS/NZS 4360) and the kinds of outcomes and benefits for communities

emergency risk management terminology, risk, PPRR concepts and principles, mitigation

emergency risk management tools

group dynamics, strategies for team building and resolving conflict

ISO9000 and 14000 series quality standards

legislative and regulatory requirements relevant to emergency risk management

meeting procedures

research tools and demographic and economic analysis techniques

state/territory emergency risk management guidelines

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

explain emergency risk management concepts, the process and how to promote its benefits to a wide range of audiences

apply the emergency risk management process (Australian Standard AS/NZS 4360)

facilitate the development of an appropriate and sustainable emergency risk management process in cooperation with the community and stakeholders

work with committee members to translate a wide range of risk perceptions, issues of concern and risk evaluation criteria into an agreed set of prioritised risks

promote community cooperation, input and ownership for the emergency risk management process used and the outcomes

produce an agreed risk register for a community

obtain feedback, monitor and review the process and outcomes

maintain momentum and achieve the project outcomes within available resources

establish a project and see it through to produce a risk register that has broad community and stakeholder support

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated in a range of contexts throughout the life of a community emergency risk management project, or during components of a number of projects

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed facilitating a group emergency risk management process in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment

Specific resources for assessment

Access to a community and the opportunity to facilitate an actual, or simulated emergency risk assessment process

Guidance information for assessment

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

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.

Communities are groups with shared associations and may include

Geographic groups of people such as:

neighbourhoods

cities, towns, suburbs

local government areas, regions, states/territories and the nation

Groups of people exposed to a particular hazard

Groups such as government organisations, non-government organisations, members of parliament

Providers of goods, services and information (lifelines)

transport, utilities, communications

health, safety, comfort

Shared-experience groups of people such as:

particular-interest groups, professional groups

age, ethnic groups, language groups

tourists

Workers in industry sectors such as:

agriculture

manufacturing (eg. food processing)

commercial

mining

emergency services

Stakeholders may include

Emergency services (eg. fire, police, SES, ambulance, recovery agencies)

Event organisers (eg. concerts, car rallies, sport)

Hospital/medical personnel and care givers

Interest, community, professional and industry groups

Local business people

Local government (eg. elected representatives, shire engineers, community development officers)

Managers of critical infrastructure (eg. telecommunications, mining, petrochemical and gas)

Managers of high occupancy facilities (eg. shopping centres, high rise apartment/office blocks)

Providers of utilities (power, water, radio/TV)

School staff

State/territory/commonwealth agencies (eg. public works, human services, health, transport, natural resources, primary industry, environmental protection, emergency management)

Tourist operators

Venue operators

Sources of information may include

Community information booklets

Credible individuals, group and community leaders

Documented risk assessments by companies, organisations

Family and historical records

Libraries, research reports, Australian Bureau of Statistics data

Special needs groups, significant cultural organisations

Media, council and emergency service personnel and records

Consultation and project management strategies may involve

Advertising in local media

Broadcast facsimile and email messages, web sites

Contacting individual organisations, professional bodies, unions and recreational/sport associations

Distributing pamphlets

Focus groups, workshops, surveys

Initiating media interviews

Letters and articles written for specific audiences

Meetings with groups, key individuals and leaders of minority/ethnic/cultural groups

Preparing media releases

Presentations to a variety of community groups; speaking at community functions

Information may include

Characteristics of natural, local and built environments

Demographics (population distribution, social, cultural, health status and education data)

Details of key infrastructure and emergency/support services

Economic activity reports (employment, products, services, revenue)

Government reports (eg. environmental impacts)

Risk evaluation criteria may be based on

Economic

Environmental

Humanitarian

Legal

Social

Technical

Other criteria determined by stakeholders

Drivers/triggers may include

Changes in community demographics

Changes in insurance policies and premiums

Changes in legislation, policies and disaster/emergency management plans

New sources of risk or changed perception of risk

Recent emergency incident reports/debriefs, safety issues

Strategic and corporate plans

Legislative, regulatory and organisational requirements may include

Acts dealing with disasters, emergencies, occupational health and safety and the environment

Land use planning

Local government regulations

Regulations for handling and transport of dangerous goods

Safety standards

Policies and procedures may include

Agreements between agencies and/or organisations

Emergency management arrangements specified in legislation or policies

Existing disaster or emergency management plans

Standard operating procedures

Practical constraints may include

Arrangements, roles and responsibilities set down in existing emergency management plans

Availability of technical expertise, technology, equipment

Budgets, time, availability and capability of people

Land use planning

Legislation covering emergency management, environmental management, safety standards, local government regulations

Limited community knowledge of emergency risk management processes and benefits

Political, social and cultural considerations

Sources of risk may include

Commercial activity and legal relationships

Economic

Human behaviour and individual activities

Management activities and controls

Natural events

Political circumstances

Technology/technical issues

Terrorism

The environment may include

This unit contains employability skills.