Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:19 AM AWST
22/07/2026 10:19 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.
Dispatch rappel personnel and equipment from a helicopter
Dispatch rappel personnel and equipment from a helicopter
Unit of competency
National Code
PUAFIR311B
PUAFIR311B
State Code
D2995
D2995
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Transition (Replaced)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
12/05/2010
Field of Education
039905 - Fire Technology
Original Release Date
12/05/2010
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit covers the competency required to dispatch operational rappel personnel and equipment from a hovering helicopter for fire suppression purposes. Aviation operations occur in a heavily regulated environment. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare operational dispatch equipment
- 1.1 Specialistrappel and dispatchequipment is selected and prepared in accordance with organisational safe work practices.
- 1.2 Appropriate rappel and dispatch equipment is donned in accordance with organisational requirements.
- 1.3 Personal equipment pre-flight check is conducted in accordance with organisational requirements.
- 1.4 Rappel and cargo ropes are loaded into the helicopter and secured.
- 1.5 Equipment faults are reported to relevant supervisor for rectification or replacement.
2. Conduct helicopter pre-flight check and preparation
- 2.1 Helicopter cabin area is prepared in accordance with organisational requirements.
- 2.2 Aircraft emergency equipment is located and checked.
- 2.3 Rappel rope attachment points are inspected and operational status confirmed.
- 2.4 Rappel ropes are attached to rope attachment points.
- 2.5 Helicopter communications system is tested and operational status confirmed.
- 2.6 Helicopter equipment faults are reported to pilot.
- 2.7 Pre-mission brief details are confirmed with appropriate personnel.
3. Load rappellers and equipment into helicopter
- 3.1 Weight of rappel personnel, rappel and firefighting equipment is obtained.
- 3.2 Equipment is secured in helicopter according to weight and balance requirements.
- 3.3 Rappellers are appropriately secured in seats.
- 3.4 Personal attachment to helicopter is confirmed.
- 3.5 Pre-flight operational checks and briefs are undertaken in accordance with organisational requirements.
4. Conduct rappel site inspection
- 4.1 Overfly of prospective rappel site is undertaken in accordance with organisational requirements.
- 4.2 Hazard assessment of proposed dispatch site is undertaken.
- 4.3 Pilot and rappel crew leader are informed as to site suitability.
- 4.4 Possible escape routes from fire are identified and conveyed to rappel crew.
5. Dispatch rappel crew and their equipment
- 5.1 Pre-dispatch checks of rappellers, attachment to rappel ropes, and equipment are conducted in accordance with organisational requirements.
- 5.2 Pilot is directed to maintain helicopter over rappel site in accordance with organisational requirements.
- 5.3 Pilot’s approval to conduct a rappel is obtained.
- 5.4 Rappel rope is attached and checked prior to commencing the dispatch.
- 5.5 Rappellers are directed to helicopter skids using relevant hand signals in accordance with organisational requirements.
- 5.6 Rappeller and equipment descent and landing are monitored.
- 5.7 Communication is maintained with rappellers, pilot and control organisation.
- 5.8 Emergency procedures are invoked as required in accordance with organisational requirements.
6. Retrieve personnel and equipment
- 6.1 Appropriate ropes and equipment for the retrieval of rappellers are prepared.
- 6.2 Pre-retrieval checks of rappellers, attachment to rappel ropes, and equipment are conducted in accordance with organisational requirements.
- 6.3 Pilot is briefed on proposed retrieval operation.
- 6.4 Equipment and personnel extraction is conducted in accordance with organisational requirements.
- 6.5 Personnel extraction is conducted in accordance with organisational requirements.
7. Complete rappel operations
- 7.1 Debrief of rappellers and pilot is conducted in accordance with organisational requirements.
- 7.2 Relevant helicopter equipment is inspected and stowed and identified helicopter equipment faults are reported to pilot.
- 7.3 Rappel equipment and rope attachment points are inspected in accordance with organisational requirements.
- 7.4 Damage to rappel equipment is reported to appropriate personnel for assessment and/or repair/replacement or disposal in accordance with organisational procedures and practices.
- 7.5 Reports on operations are completed in accordance with organisational requirements.
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.
Specialist rappel and dispatch equipment may include:
communications helmet
fire equipment packs
rappel harness
hook knives
protective overalls
descent device
protective gloves
static rappel ropes
karabiner or other attachment device
emergency release device
wander harness
Aircraft emergency equipment will include:
emergency exits
emergency location beacon
fire extinguishers
first aid kit
life vests
survival kit
Communications systems may include:
aeronautical radio
intercom system
organisation radio
Site suitability will be determined by:
canopy height
fire location
hazards
pilot ability
slope
vegetation type and density
weather conditions
Procedures and practices may include:
civil aviation legislation
helicopter company operations manual and supplements
organisational operations manual and supplements
Reports must include:
flight following
crew safety
crew progress
search and rescue
Specialist rappel and dispatch equipment may include:
communications helmet
fire equipment packs
rappel harness
hook knives
protective overalls
descent device
protective gloves
static rappel ropes
karabiner or other attachment device
emergency release device
wander harness
Aircraft emergency equipment will include:
emergency exits
emergency location beacon
fire extinguishers
first aid kit
life vests
survival kit
Communications systems may include:
aeronautical radio
intercom system
organisation radio
Site suitability will be determined by:
canopy height
fire location
hazards
pilot ability
slope
vegetation type and density
weather conditions
Procedures and practices may include:
civil aviation legislation
helicopter company operations manual and supplements
organisational operations manual and supplements
Reports must include:
flight following
crew safety
crew progress
search and rescue
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:
undertake operations in accordance with work health and safety procedures, legislative and operational guidelines
prepare and stow/seat equipment and rappellers prior to, during and following rappelling from the helicopter
apply correct procedures and techniques for sequencing and controlling rappelling operations
apply appropriate communication processes with crew and rappellers
implement inspection and maintenance procedures
plan and implement briefing and debriefing procedures
apply relevant workplace procedures including codes of practice, hazard policy and emergency procedures, flight instructions, procedures relating to safe use of equipment, housekeeping procedures
take action promptly - report accidents and incidents within regulatory and organisational requirements
complete work systematically in accordance with safe operating procedures to minimise risk of injury to self, others or damage to equipment
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 a simulated environment followed by assessment by a certified operator on-the-job encompassing a number of scenarios.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
rappelling equipment and materials
personal protective and safety equipment
area to conduct operations
helicopter/s
briefing reports and organisational procedural documentation
appropriate personnel
emergency information
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 agency-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:
undertake operations in accordance with work health and safety procedures, legislative and operational guidelines
prepare and stow/seat equipment and rappellers prior to, during and following rappelling from the helicopter
apply correct procedures and techniques for sequencing and controlling rappelling operations
apply appropriate communication processes with crew and rappellers
implement inspection and maintenance procedures
plan and implement briefing and debriefing procedures
apply relevant workplace procedures including codes of practice, hazard policy and emergency procedures, flight instructions, procedures relating to safe use of equipment, housekeeping procedures
take action promptly - report accidents and incidents within regulatory and organisational requirements
complete work systematically in accordance with safe operating procedures to minimise risk of injury to self, others or damage to equipment
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 a simulated environment followed by assessment by a certified operator on-the-job encompassing a number of scenarios.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
rappelling equipment and materials
personal protective and safety equipment
area to conduct operations
helicopter/s
briefing reports and organisational procedural documentation
appropriate personnel
emergency information
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 agency-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAY79 | PUAFIR311 | Dispatch rappel personnel and equipment from a helicopter | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C600 | PUA30601 | Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations) | Qualification |