Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:28 AM AWST
22/07/2026 1:28 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.
Develop plans for deployment of a USAR task force
Develop plans for deployment of a USAR task force
Unit of competency
National Code
PUASAR035
PUASAR035
State Code
WE599
WE599
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
28/11/2012
Field of Education
080399 - Business And Management, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
28/11/2012
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit covers the competency required to prepare and develop Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) task force plans for the deployment of a USAR task force. Inherent in the development of these plans is the ability to analyse the operational requirements arising from the incident and to determine the requisite team capabilities needed by the task force team/s prior to their deployment inter-and- intrastate, and internationally. A person performing this role operates a component part of the task force management team. A USAR task force leader is responsible for the management of a task force under his or her command.It is recognised that a USAR task force will operate within the command and control system established by the organisation within the legislative authority for the incident, which may not be the Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System (AIIMS) or the New Zealand Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS). However, the USAR task force will operate in accordance with AIIMS or CIMS and will plug into the command and control system used by the host organisation.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare USAR task force for mobilisation
- 1.1 Request for support is received and task force leader is briefed by relevant personnel and roles and responsibilities confirmed.
- 1.2 Agencies involved in the emergency incident are confirmed and liaison arrangements established, where required.
- 1.3 Transport, welfare and mobilisation plans are prepared and documented for USAR task force deployment in accordance with the emergency management arrangements, policies and procedures of the state/territory or country requesting assistance.
- 1.4 Plans are based on risk management within a USAR context.
- 1.5 USAR task force resources are organised and recorded in accordance with asset management principles implemented by the agency.
- 1.6 Financial considerations when deploying a USAR task force are factored into the planning for mobilisation and deployment of resources.
- 1.7 Reports and summaries are maintained as required by standard operating procedures.
- 1.8 Deployment notification processes are implemented in accordance with the policies and procedures of the state/territory or country requesting USAR task force.
- 1.9 USAR task force briefing is conducted using SMEAC-Q format.
2. Establish arrangements for mobilisation of USAR task force
- 2.1 Reception centre is established and incoming emergency response teams are processed and briefing paper for incoming task force is prepared.
- 2.2 USAR task force reconnaissance and forward deployment capabilities are confirmed and prepared in accordance with agreed USAR protocols.
- 2.3 USAR task force deployment briefing is conducted.
- 2.4 USAR task force is briefed on situational and cultural sensitivities of the country or location to which they are being deployed.
3. Develop plans to support USAR task force arrangements
- 3.1 Communications plan is prepared and documented by the task force leader.
- 3.2 Media plan is prepared, implemented and managed.
- 3.3 Content for an evacuation plan is prepared, taking into account a series of key factors.
- 3.4 Demobilisation plan is prepared and documented
4. Complete USAR task force administration information
- 4.1 USAR information sources are identified.
- 4.2 Information is collected, based on identified needs and is reviewed for applicability and accessibility.
- 4.3 Plans that will provide required information are prepared.
- 4.4 Timely and relevant information is collected in a form suitable for analysis, interpretation and distribution.
- 4.5 Available information systems are used to store and retrieve information for planning and decision-making.
- 4.6 Reports and task force support information, based on information collected and analysed, are prepared and distributed to appropriate personnel.
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.
Request for support may include:
international deployment
inter-intra state or territory deployment
Relevant personnel may include:
higher authority
local disaster groups
government agencies if deploying internationally
Roles and responsibilities of must include:
co-ordination and allocation of resources under their supervision
implementing their portion of the incident action plan
maintaining effective two-way information flows within the incident control structure
reporting on incident situation, the progress of operations, emerging risks and the status of resources
Agencies involved in emergency incident may include:
defence forces
embassies and consulates
foreign affairs agency
national emergency management agencies
police
united nations
Transport plan may include:
border arrangements
concept of operations
finance
hygiene briefing
medical checks
modes of transport
personnel and equipment
resupply arrangements
route plan
Welfare plan may include:
critical incident stress management
family welfare
hygiene briefing
on call support personnel
personnel information
pre-deployment interviews
pre-deployment medical checks
quarantine checks
Mobilisation plan may include:
concept of operations
cultural and ethnic awareness
disaster victim identification
INSARAG guidelines
code of conduct
code of Ethics
standard operating procedures
Emergency management arrangements, policies and procedures must include:
INSARAG guidelines
Onsite Operations Coordination Centre (OSSOC)
United Nations Disaster Assessment Coordinator (UNDAC)
Risk management process may include:
identify, analyse and evaluate risks according to agreed criteria in the USAR pre-deployment context
identify and select treatment options
implement treatment options
monitor and review risk strategies
Asset management principles may include:
equipment and procurement
financial management of delegation
human resources management
jurisdictions asset management system
maintenance
payments
spending limits
testing regimes and depreciation and replacement procedures
Financial considerations when deploying a USAR task force may include:
cash security
claims
creation of centres
credit limits and systems to increase limits
discretionary powers finance
financial management practices
financial support lines
industrial agreements
methods of payment
reconciliation processes
responsibilities of task force leader with regard to task force finances
travel
wages
Deployment notification processes may include:
notification method and processes as applied within the state, territory or nation
utilisation of preplanning information regarding personnel availability
Policies and procedures may include:
certification of equipment safe to deploy
Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations
dangerous goods for air, road and rail transport
foreign affairs briefings
own nation’s aid agency briefing
self-sustainability of task force
SMEACS-Q must include:
situation
mission
execution
administration and logistics
command and control
questions
Reception/departure centre may include:
central point for cross border processes
liaison point for incoming USAR task forces
logistical supply point for incoming task forces
Emergency response teams are processed may include:
additional support, if required
identifying cultural issues, security risk
identifying incoming team’s capability
managing self-deployed teams
supplementary resources, for example maps
Briefing paper for incoming task force may include:
identification of liaison point of contact
identification of logistical requirements of incoming teams:
fuel
food
water
equipment
location of reception centre
operational framework
transportation requirements
USAR task force deployment briefing may include:
conducting briefings/debriefings are conducted
confirming feedback and analysis of team personnel is confirmed to ensure actual roles are understood
identifying and reporting on follow-up actions
follow up action is identified and reported on
purpose and structure of briefing
Communications plan may include:
radio frequencies and channels
network charts
maintenance of records:
personal log
incident notebook
occurrence book
reporting templates
procedures for maintaining communication log
Media plan may include
briefing notes
point of contact for media
policy for media engagement
talking points
Content for an evacuation plan may include:
role of task force leader
key considerations if emergency evacuation is required
risk assessment
security
local contacts
equipment disposal
modes of transport
pre-approval of evacuation plan is sought
medical evacuation of a task force team member
Content for an evacuation plan is prepared, taking into account a series of key factors may include:
planning considerations
security
medical communications
equipment disposal
risk assessment
use of planning templates
medical evacuation of a task force team member
Demobilisation plan may include:
decontamination
disposal/rehabilitation of cache
logistics planning
move from incident site to base of operations
notification
post operational analysis
task force casualties
transport arrangements from base to home location
Information sources may include:
emergency management arrangements
international guidelines
Plans may include:
communications
demobilisation
evacuation
media
redeployment
Request for support may include:
international deployment
inter-intra state or territory deployment
Relevant personnel may include:
higher authority
local disaster groups
government agencies if deploying internationally
Roles and responsibilities of must include:
co-ordination and allocation of resources under their supervision
implementing their portion of the incident action plan
maintaining effective two-way information flows within the incident control structure
reporting on incident situation, the progress of operations, emerging risks and the status of resources
Agencies involved in emergency incident may include:
defence forces
embassies and consulates
foreign affairs agency
national emergency management agencies
police
united nations
Transport plan may include:
border arrangements
concept of operations
finance
hygiene briefing
medical checks
modes of transport
personnel and equipment
resupply arrangements
route plan
Welfare plan may include:
critical incident stress management
family welfare
hygiene briefing
on call support personnel
personnel information
pre-deployment interviews
pre-deployment medical checks
quarantine checks
Mobilisation plan may include:
concept of operations
cultural and ethnic awareness
disaster victim identification
INSARAG guidelines
code of conduct
code of Ethics
standard operating procedures
Emergency management arrangements, policies and procedures must include:
INSARAG guidelines
Onsite Operations Coordination Centre (OSSOC)
United Nations Disaster Assessment Coordinator (UNDAC)
Risk management process may include:
identify, analyse and evaluate risks according to agreed criteria in the USAR pre-deployment context
identify and select treatment options
implement treatment options
monitor and review risk strategies
Asset management principles may include:
equipment and procurement
financial management of delegation
human resources management
jurisdictions asset management system
maintenance
payments
spending limits
testing regimes and depreciation and replacement procedures
Financial considerations when deploying a USAR task force may include:
cash security
claims
creation of centres
credit limits and systems to increase limits
discretionary powers finance
financial management practices
financial support lines
industrial agreements
methods of payment
reconciliation processes
responsibilities of task force leader with regard to task force finances
travel
wages
Deployment notification processes may include:
notification method and processes as applied within the state, territory or nation
utilisation of preplanning information regarding personnel availability
Policies and procedures may include:
certification of equipment safe to deploy
Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations
dangerous goods for air, road and rail transport
foreign affairs briefings
own nation’s aid agency briefing
self-sustainability of task force
SMEACS-Q must include:
situation
mission
execution
administration and logistics
command and control
questions
Reception/departure centre may include:
central point for cross border processes
liaison point for incoming USAR task forces
logistical supply point for incoming task forces
Emergency response teams are processed may include:
additional support, if required
identifying cultural issues, security risk
identifying incoming team’s capability
managing self-deployed teams
supplementary resources, for example maps
Briefing paper for incoming task force may include:
identification of liaison point of contact
identification of logistical requirements of incoming teams:
fuel
food
water
equipment
location of reception centre
operational framework
transportation requirements
USAR task force deployment briefing may include:
conducting briefings/debriefings are conducted
confirming feedback and analysis of team personnel is confirmed to ensure actual roles are understood
identifying and reporting on follow-up actions
follow up action is identified and reported on
purpose and structure of briefing
Communications plan may include:
radio frequencies and channels
network charts
maintenance of records:
personal log
incident notebook
occurrence book
reporting templates
procedures for maintaining communication log
Media plan may include
briefing notes
point of contact for media
policy for media engagement
talking points
Content for an evacuation plan may include:
role of task force leader
key considerations if emergency evacuation is required
risk assessment
security
local contacts
equipment disposal
modes of transport
pre-approval of evacuation plan is sought
medical evacuation of a task force team member
Content for an evacuation plan is prepared, taking into account a series of key factors may include:
planning considerations
security
medical communications
equipment disposal
risk assessment
use of planning templates
medical evacuation of a task force team member
Demobilisation plan may include:
decontamination
disposal/rehabilitation of cache
logistics planning
move from incident site to base of operations
notification
post operational analysis
task force casualties
transport arrangements from base to home location
Information sources may include:
emergency management arrangements
international guidelines
Plans may include:
communications
demobilisation
evacuation
media
redeployment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
assess request for assistance and prepare USAR task force capability and resources for inter- and intrastate and international deployment
establish arrangements for deployment of USAR task froce and resources within legislative, policy and other formal arrangements
assess USAR task force requirements and develop requisite plans to support USAR operations in the field
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 or industry-approved multi-agency simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
Sample USAR task force plans
Information sources, e.g. emergency management arrangements, international guidelines etc
Method of assessment
Assessment should be conducted by direct observation in either the workplace (through recorded subject matter supervision and/or mentoring) or the training environment.
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
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
assess request for assistance and prepare USAR task force capability and resources for inter- and intrastate and international deployment
establish arrangements for deployment of USAR task froce and resources within legislative, policy and other formal arrangements
assess USAR task force requirements and develop requisite plans to support USAR operations in the field
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 or industry-approved multi-agency simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
Sample USAR task force plans
Information sources, e.g. emergency management arrangements, international guidelines etc
Method of assessment
Assessment should be conducted by direct observation in either the workplace (through recorded subject matter supervision and/or mentoring) or the training environment.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAX83 | PUASAR003 | Develop plans for deployment of a USAR team | Unit of competency |
