This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to prepare and develop Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team plans for the deployment of a USAR team. It includes analysing operational requirements arising from an incident and determining requisite team capabilities needed by the team prior to deployment.

The unit is applicable to personnel within the incident management team with responsibility for the development of deployment plans for a USAR team. Compliance with legislative or regulatory requirements of Australian jurisdictions or the host country may be required. The authorisation to perform this role is subject to organisational policies and procedures.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare USAR team for mobilisation

1.1

Request for support is received and team leader is briefed by relevant personnel with roles and responsibilities confirmed

1.2

Organisations and/or agencies involved in the emergency incident are confirmed and liaison arrangements established, as required

1.3

Transport, welfare, communication and mobilisation plans are prepared and documented for USAR team deployment, in accordance with the emergency management arrangements and the policies and procedures of the state, territory or country requesting assistance

1.4

Risk management processes are utilised when developing transport, welfare and mobilisation plans

1.5

USAR team resources are organised and recorded in accordance with asset management principles and procedures used by the organisation

1.6

Reception and departure centre establishment plans are developed for receiving incoming emergency response teams, in accordance with organisational procedures

1.7

Financial considerations when deploying a USAR team are factored into the planning for mobilisation and deployment of resources

1.8

Reports and summaries are maintained, in accordance with organisational procedures

1.9

Deployment notification processes are implemented, in accordance with the policies and procedures of the state, territory or country requesting USAR team

1.10

USAR team briefing is conducted using Situation, Mission, Execution, Administration/logistics, Command/control and Safety (SMEACS) format

2

Establish arrangements for mobilisation of USAR team

2.1

Reception and departure centre is established and incoming emergency response teams are processed and briefing paper for incoming team is prepared

2.2

USAR team reconnaissance and forward deployment capabilities are confirmed, in accordance with agreed USAR protocols

2.3

Plans are developed for initial USAR team operations

2.4

USAR team is briefed on situational and cultural sensitivities of the country or location to which they are being deployed

3

Develop plans to support USAR team ongoing arrangements

3.1

Communication plan is updated and documented

3.2

Media plan is prepared, implemented, managed and communicated to the USAR team, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.3

Evacuation plan is prepared, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.4

Demobilisation plan is prepared and documented, in accordance with organisational procedures

4

Complete USAR team administration information

4.1

USAR information sources and relevant plans are identified

4.2

Information is collated in a form suitable for analysis, interpretation and distribution

4.3

Information system is used to store and retrieve information that will be used in USAR planning and decision making

4.4

Reports and team support information is prepared and distributed to appropriate personnel

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Not applicable

Search and Rescue