Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Task information may include:
environmental and other hazards at the scene
incident location and exact location of vehicles involved
other public safety organisations at the scene or en route
time of day and traffic obstructions caused by collision
types and number of vehicles involved and potential number of casualties
wind direction
Rescue resources may include:
air operated equipment
ancillary equipment such as:
airbag restraints
stretchers
elevated platforms
hot cutting equipment
electrical equipment
hand tools
hydraulic equipment
lifting and hauling equipment
rescue units and stowed equipment
stabilisation equipment
tool boxes
Personal protective equipment and clothing may include:
boots
eye protection
gloves
hearing protection
helmets
knee/elbow protection
helmet
Nature of transport may include:
heavy plant e.g. bulldozers
light aircraft
trains
trams
Types of collision may include:
heavy plant:
roll over
impact with stationary object
light aircraft:
on take off and landing
mid-air collision (impact into rural/urban environment)
collision with structure
trains/trams:
derailment
roll over
impact with another train
impact with electrical infrastructure
level crossing
Systematic approach must include:
assessment i.e. on call out and response, en route, scene, liaison, casualties
positioning of vehicle i.e. dangers, access and casualties
procedures i.e. dangers, casualty protection, extrication, warning devices and lighting
Potential hazards and associated risks may include:
downed powerlines
fuel
hazardous materials
overhead hazards
stability and position of vehicles involved
traffic in and around the incident location
unstable ground
Communication may include:
radio communications (radio, telephones and information technology)
warning signals
Other relevant personnel may include:
ambulance officers
company personnel
emergency services personnel
police
technical specialists
utility technicians
vehicle passengers
Rescue scene reconnaissance may include:
collecting relevant information about casualty/s and hazards
isolating and eliminating utilities
surveying the incident scene
Situational and environmental hazards may include:
biological hazards such as body fluids and tissue
climate
composite fibres
dangerous goods and hazardous substances
different types of surfaces
dust and wind
noise and vibration
overhead hazards such as falling debris, power lines
pressurised containers
pyrotechnic safety device
structural instability
sharp and jagged objects
water and/or foam run off and oil
Treating hazards may include:
eliminating the hazard
isolating the area/source
stabilising overhead hazards
using atmospheric monitoring equipment
using ppe and clothing
Potential dangers to be considered when positioning the rescue unit may include:
downed power lines in the vicinity of the vehicle
down wind of contaminants
fuel
hazardous materials and locations where they collect
oncoming traffic
stability and position of transport involved
traffic in and around the incident location
Accessing the scene must include:
allowing clear access and egress for other responding vehicles and ambulances
establishing a clear area to manoeuvre personnel, stretchers, charged hose lines and other equipment
placing rescue vehicle at an appropriate distance
specialist transport to move the equipment/personnel
Limitations of operating equipment may include:
access to incident site
equipment capacities and limitations
working on uneven and soft ground
Functional areas may include:

debris collection
decontamination
equipment
personnel staging
triage
Warning devices may include:
flashing lights
traffic warning cones
Impact effects on transport may include:
damage to onsite hazardous infrastructure
frame deformation
occupant cell/s
structural integrity
supporting infrastructure
Impact effects on casualty/s may include:
effect of types of collisions on the human body
crush syndrome
trauma
Stabilising the transport may include:
chains, slings and winches
hydraulics
monitoring stabilisation
re-establishing mechanical braking systems
using step chocks and cribbing blocks
Hygiene precautions may include:
avoiding contact with body fluids and tissue
decontaminating equipment at scene and placing protective clothing and gloves in a sealed bag for special dry cleaning
establishing decontamination areas
using correct personal protective clothing and equipment
using surgical gloves under protective work gloves
Gaining access to entrapped casualty/s may include:
accessing doors
accessing emergency exits
accessing front
accessing roof
accessing side
managing electrical supplies
managing glass
removing debris
Primary survey:
is a methodical process used to quickly identify immediate life threatening injuries and conditions that require intervention
should be completed promptly upon initial patient contact if no immediate life threatening injuries and conditions requiring intervention are found during the survey
should be completed as soon as possible if it is interrupted
should only be interrupted when:
life threatening condition is identified and immediate life saving interventions are initiated
scene conditions require that the patient be moved immediately due to danger to first emergency care responders or the patient
Treating located casualty/s may include:
assist medical personnel with patient triage if required
cervical collar
first aid
primary/secondary survey
respiratory protection, if required
Transport design may include:
heavy reinforced compartment cell
maintaining body rigidity
major components such as frame (chassis), body parts, doors, windows, glass, seats, trim, removable panels, additional fittings and equipment, steering columns and wheels
light framed composite material
new safety systems
two storey transport
Recognised techniques may include:
casualty packaging
team stretcher handling
Equipment for removing casualty/s may include:
rescue/spine board
stretchers appropriate for packaging in a range of situations
Preserving the incident scene must include:
disturbing only to gain access or make scene safe
not disturbing fatality scenes until police investigation activities are completed
preserving integrity of evidence
Recovering, cleaning and servicing of equipment may include:
checking inventories
cleaning or disposing of contaminated clothing and equipment
inspecting equipment for damage and serviceability
Signs and symptoms of operational stress may include:
anxiety
critical incident stress
fatigue
flashbacks
highly emotional behaviour
physical discomfort
poor concentration
sleep disturbances
Debriefing may include:
critical incident stress debriefing
operational analysis
performance evaluations
Documentation may include:
AIRS/coroner report
notebooks completed
operational debrief
Hygiene precautions may include:
avoiding contact with body fluids
decontaminating equipment and personnel
washing hands
wearing appropriate protective clothing
Exposure records may include:
reporting form that documents any exposure that may result in a short- or long-term associated injury such as:
hazardous substances, such as dust, vapours, fumes, radiation and chemical substances
heavy repetitive work over long periods of time
lifting heavy loads
noise
psycho-social hazards (e.g. critical incident stress)

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
apply a systematic approach to a complex transport rescue and to implement safe work practices throughout the incident
safely and effectively gain access to entrapped casualties using techniques relevant to the type of complex transport rescue impact
operate equipment to gain access to entrapped casualties in accordance with organisational procedures
maintain situational awareness and be alert to environmental and situational hazards
work effectively as a member of a rescue team
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual and/or simulated workplace environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in an industry-approved simulated and/or workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
simulation of a range of potentially complex transport mediums and their infrastructure
equipment, personnel, facilities etc. appropriate to a complex transport rescue incident training exercise
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