Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 12:23 AM AWST
23/07/2026 12:23 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Navigate to an incident
Navigate to an incident
Unit of competency
National Code
PUAOPE014A
PUAOPE014A
State Code
D5502
D5502
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
25/06/2013
Field of Education
080399 - Business And Management, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
25/06/2013
Nominal Hours
15
Description
This unit covers the competency required to navigate to an incident in urban and rural environments.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Determine current location, destination and resources
- 1.1 Incident and task information is obtained.
- 1.2 Relevant navigational maps and navigation equipment are gathered and checked.
- 1.3 Positional information and navigation techniques are applied to plot positions on a map and to determine current location and destination within accepted tolerances.
2. Determine and plan a safe route
- 2.1 Navigation plans are prepared according to organisational practices.
- 2.2 Maps, navigation techniques, map features, local and environmental conditions are interpreted to determine and plan a safe and timely route.
- 2.3 Potential access restrictions which may limit thoroughfare are identified and arrangements are made to gain access in accordance with organisational policies, practices and regulatory requirements.
3. Navigate to destination
- 3.1 Navigation plans and navigation aids are used to maintain compliance with planned route.
- 3.2 Indicated route is communicated and followed as required.
- 3.3 Current location is regularly verified within accepted tolerances.
- 3.4 Route is modified to address prevailing conditions and, if required, alternate route strategies are initiated.
- 3.5 Unanticipated access difficulties are reported in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
- 3.6 En route and arrival reporting information is communicated using communications systems as required, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
4. Complete post navigational activities
- 4.1 Reporting requirements are completed in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
- 4.2 Navigational equipment and aids are recovered, reset, updated, serviced and stored according to operational standards and manufacturer's specifications.
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.
Incident and task information may include:
Areas of probability
Data gathering
En route and arrival information
Establishing radii
Flood height predictions
Nature of incident
Plotting fire fronts
Rates of fire line constructions
Search operation
Navigational maps may include:
Aerial photographs
Cadastral maps
Emergency service maps
Local authority maps
Navigational charts
Satellite imagery
Street directories
Topographic maps
Navigation equipment may include:
Area plotters
Communications equipment
Computers
Geographical information systems (GIS)
Global positioning systems (GPS)
Magnetic compasses
Protractors
Romers
Scale rules
Watch/stopwatch
Writing equipment
Accepted tolerances may include:
Prevailing weather and environmental conditions
Relating the margin of error allowable as determined by the nature of the task/incident terrain
Navigation techniques may include:
Bearings and back bearings
Defining or plotting incident location
Delineation of search areas
Grid and latitude/longitude conversions
Identifying features
Magnetic conversions
Planning access and egress routes
Plotting and calculation of areas subject to hazard impact such as flood inundation, fire damage
Resection and triangulation
Route-time calculations
Map features include:
Cartographic symbols and legends
Contour intervals
Contours
Cultural information
Date of map
Datum information
Eastings and northings
Grid references
Hill shading
Latitude and longitude
Legend
Magnetic variation
North point/s
Scale
Transport routes
Vegetation types
Environmental conditions may include:
Atmospheric conditions
Fire
Flood
Hazardous goods and dangerous materials
Need to match transportation mode to terrain
Road conditions including vehicle height and/or width clearance requirements
Seasonal factors such as snow, ice extreme heat
Storm damage
Time of day
Potential access restrictions may include:
Agency and regulatory requirements
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sacred sites
Hazardous areas
Military areas
Other areas of cultural significance
Other areas requiring permission and/or authorisation to enter
Seasonal factors
Wilderness areas
Communicating indicated route may include:
Hand signals
Verbal instructions
Written instructions
Alternate route strategies may include:
Lost procedures
Use of additional/alternate vehicles
Communications systems may include:
Intercom system
Internet based systems
Radio system
Telephone systems
Reporting requirements may include:
Completion of organisational documentation
Input to debriefs
Journal records
Pre-departure briefing
Situational reports
Incident and task information may include:
Areas of probability
Data gathering
En route and arrival information
Establishing radii
Flood height predictions
Nature of incident
Plotting fire fronts
Rates of fire line constructions
Search operation
Navigational maps may include:
Aerial photographs
Cadastral maps
Emergency service maps
Local authority maps
Navigational charts
Satellite imagery
Street directories
Topographic maps
Navigation equipment may include:
Area plotters
Communications equipment
Computers
Geographical information systems (GIS)
Global positioning systems (GPS)
Magnetic compasses
Protractors
Romers
Scale rules
Watch/stopwatch
Writing equipment
Accepted tolerances may include:
Prevailing weather and environmental conditions
Relating the margin of error allowable as determined by the nature of the task/incident terrain
Navigation techniques may include:
Bearings and back bearings
Defining or plotting incident location
Delineation of search areas
Grid and latitude/longitude conversions
Identifying features
Magnetic conversions
Planning access and egress routes
Plotting and calculation of areas subject to hazard impact such as flood inundation, fire damage
Resection and triangulation
Route-time calculations
Map features include:
Cartographic symbols and legends
Contour intervals
Contours
Cultural information
Date of map
Datum information
Eastings and northings
Grid references
Hill shading
Latitude and longitude
Legend
Magnetic variation
North point/s
Scale
Transport routes
Vegetation types
Environmental conditions may include:
Atmospheric conditions
Fire
Flood
Hazardous goods and dangerous materials
Need to match transportation mode to terrain
Road conditions including vehicle height and/or width clearance requirements
Seasonal factors such as snow, ice extreme heat
Storm damage
Time of day
Potential access restrictions may include:
Agency and regulatory requirements
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sacred sites
Hazardous areas
Military areas
Other areas of cultural significance
Other areas requiring permission and/or authorisation to enter
Seasonal factors
Wilderness areas
Communicating indicated route may include:
Hand signals
Verbal instructions
Written instructions
Alternate route strategies may include:
Lost procedures
Use of additional/alternate vehicles
Communications systems may include:
Intercom system
Internet based systems
Radio system
Telephone systems
Reporting requirements may include:
Completion of organisational documentation
Input to debriefs
Journal records
Pre-departure briefing
Situational reports
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:
plot a navigation route accurately and within accepted tolerances when following a route
maintain positional awareness
react effectively to changes in the operating environment that require re-planning of a course
demonstrating navigation to an incident in urban and/or rural locations.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in an actual incident, exercise or simulation or series of tasks required to demonstrate competence including demonstrating navigation to an incident in urban and/or rural locations.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
equipment used in operational navigation
Method of assessment
In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.
Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:
direct observation
interviewing the candidate
journals and workplace documentation
third party reports from supervisors
written or oral questions
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
plot a navigation route accurately and within accepted tolerances when following a route
maintain positional awareness
react effectively to changes in the operating environment that require re-planning of a course
demonstrating navigation to an incident in urban and/or rural locations.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in an actual incident, exercise or simulation or series of tasks required to demonstrate competence including demonstrating navigation to an incident in urban and/or rural locations.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
equipment used in operational navigation
Method of assessment
In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.
Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:
direct observation
interviewing the candidate
journals and workplace documentation
third party reports from supervisors
written or oral questions
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAY01 | PUAOPE014 | Navigate to an incident | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J546 | PUA30613 | Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations) | Qualification |
| C600 | PUA30601 | Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations) | Qualification |