Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 4:54 AM AWST
23/07/2026 4:54 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.
Manage operations for a Level 3 incident
Manage operations for a Level 3 incident
Unit of competency
National Code
PUAOPE024A
PUAOPE024A
State Code
D5512
D5512
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
18/08/2011
Field of Education
091105 - Police Studies
Original Release Date
18/08/2011
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit covers the competency required to command operational personnel to achieve resolution of a Level 3 incident.Command is the internal direction of the members and resources of an organisation in the performance of the organisation's roles and tasks by agreement or in accordance with relevant legislation. Command operates vertically within an organisation.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Take command
- 1.1 Initial briefing including information to manage the operations requirements for the incident is obtained from Incident Controller.
- 1.2 Command is established and exercised in accordance with organisational authority and guidelines.
- 1.3 Commander details are communicated to internal personnel and to external authorities pertinent to the incident using a range of communication processes and systems.
- 1.4 Identify commanders under supervision within the Operations Section.
2. Establish command facilities
- 2.1 Appropriate command facility isestablished and operated in accordance with organisational guidelines.
- 2.2 Details of the facility are communicated to internal personnel and to relevant external authorities/organisations/individuals as required, including support services.
- 2.3 Staging areas are established and maintained.
3. Establish a command structure
- 3.1 Command structure is established appropriate to the nature and complexity of the task/s undertaken by the organisation and the nature of the incident.
- 3.2 Command structure is expanded, contracted or modified in response to activities and controlled changes within the incident environment considering the nature, extent and potential of an incident.
- 3.3 Agreed protocols are followed when managing another agency's personnel.
4. Establish procedures to permit command to be exercised
- 4.1 Command structure is communicated to internal and external personnel and authorities/individuals who may have a regulatory interest applicable to the incident.
- 4.2 Command information management system is implemented.
- 4.3 Communication mechanisms and procedures are implemented between levels of command in accordance with organisational guidelines.
- 4.4 Liaison is established and maintained to meet command requirements.
5. Contribute to the development of the Incident Action Plan
- 5.1 Incident Action Plan (IAP) for the current operational period is monitored and reviewed.
- 5.2 Input is provided into incident objectives and operational strategies.
- 5.3 Operations component of the IAP is developed in accordance with operational procedures, safe work practices, agency workplace policies, industrial awards and agreements.
- 5.4 Need for logistical support is determined and documented.
6. Manage operations
- 6.1 Operations personnel are briefed and tasks are allocated in accordance with the IAP.
- 6.2 IAP is implemented and modified as required, in accordance with organisational guidelines.
- 6.3 Tactics to effectively manage the incident are identified in accordance with the operational portion of the IAP.
- 6.4 Resources are deployed to ensure the IAP is implemented in accordance with organisational guidelines.
- 6.5 Human and physical resources, including personnel supportactivities are effectively managed to achieve command plan outcomes.
- 6.6 Significant changes in status and actions taken are reported using agreed reporting mechanisms and are consistent with organisational policies and procedures.
- 6.7 Operations are redirected as required to meet changes in conditions which affect the incident situation.
- 6.8 Welfare of members of the public within the area of operations is addressed.
7. Conclude operations
- 7.1 Physical, human and capital resources are accounted for in accordance with organisational guidelines.
- 7.2 Operational debriefing requirements are met in accordance with organisational guidelines.
- 7.3 Operational documentation is completed to organisation standards.
- 7.4 Reports are produced as required.
8. Review operations
- 8.1 Plans and guidelines are evaluated and reviewed.
- 8.2 Effectiveness of command and interaction with control is evaluated and documented.
- 8.3 Reports are produced and communicated in accordance with established protocols.
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.
Communication processes and systems may include:
Communication responsibilities of personnel
Data transfer
Designation of appropriate modes and channels of communication
Inter organisation liaison
Interpersonal communications
Radio communications
Telecommunications
Establishing and operating a command facility may include consideration of:
Amenities
Climatic conditions
Communication modes
Environment
Equipment characteristics
Logistical operations
Parking
Proximity to incident
Security requirements
Site access and exit requirements
Size and type of structure
Special incident requirements
Support services
Topography
Support services may include:
Emergency agencies
Equipment suppliers
Community service organisations
Contractors
Gas and power agencies
Land management agencies
Medical organisations
Transport
Water
Welfare and counselling organisations
Nature of the incident (imminent or actual) may include:
Biological
Civil/political events such as:
civil unrest
economic
eco-terrorism
enemy attack
financial collapse
general strike
hostage situation/s
sabotage
strikes
terrorism
Fire (forest, range, urban)
Natural events such as:
avalanche snow/ice/hail
drought
dust/sand storms
earthquakes/land shifts
extreme heat/cold
fauna rescue (e.g. marine life rescue)
flood/wind driven water
hurricane/typhoon
landslide/mudslide
lightning storm
search and rescue
tornado/cyclone
tsunami
volcanic eruption
windstorm/tropical storm
Technological/industrial events such as:
bio-hazards
building/structure collapse
business interruption
dam/levee failure
explosions/fire
extreme air pollution
fuel/resource shortages
hazardous material releases
power/utility failure
radiological accidents
transportation accidents
Activities and controlled changes include:
Communications
Logistics
Operations
Planning
Considering the nature, extent and potential of an incident may include:
Risk to life
Risk to environment
Risk to property
Demography
Hazard agent location
Potential for changes in situation
Resource availability
Scope and scale of incident including likely duration of incident
Speed of onset
Topography
Weather
Internal and external personnel and authorities may include:
Ancillary organisations
Clients
Emergency management specialists
Emergency organisations
Government and semi government authorities and departments
Higher authorities
Media
OH&S specialists
Operational personnel
Public
Service providers
Victims
Witnesses
Other analysts and stakeholders
Information management system may include:
Audio and visual recording mechanisms
Data receival
Public/media information dissemination
Procedures and protocols
Recording
Recording and documenting of incident
Security and authorisation assignment
Storage and dispatch modes
Types of technology - electronic data exchange devices
Incident Action Plan may include:
Accommodation and welfare arrangements
Change over procedures
Communications Plan
Incident objectives
Integrity of evidence
Information on alternative or fallback strategies
Information Plan for dissemination of information to all stakeholders
Information regarding the necessary logistical arrangements
Management arrangements, including establishment of sectors and divisions and site security
Management structure if established
Maps or site plans of the incident
Medical Plan and consideration of OH&S issues
Resources to be allocated to each division and sector
Statement of current situation and predictions of the incident's likely development (including key risk exposures)
Strategies to achieve defined incident objectives
Structural chart depicting the personnel in the incident management arrangements, including establishment of sectors and divisions
Timings of meetings and changeovers
Traffic management
Resources may include:
Aviation and marine vessels
Communication devices
Human (operations personnel)
Local, state/territory and federal governments
Machinery
Physical (equipment)
Support personnel
Technology devices
Volunteers
Vehicles
Personnel support activities may include:
Catering
Rest/relief counselling services
Sanitation
Shelter
Stress management services
Agreed reporting mechanisms will involve:
Authorisation
Distribution and development of reports in accordance with regulatory and organisational requirements and may include:
briefing papers
coronial reports
final reports
legal reports
media reports
ministerial reports
performance evaluations
situation reports - within emergency for external distribution
status reports
Operational debriefing may include:
Critical incident stress debriefing
Operational analysis
Performance evaluations
Documentation may include:
Applicable state, territory, commonwealth legislation and regulations which relate to:
environment protection legislation
equal employment opportunity and affirmative action
freedom of information
OH&S regulations and legislation
privacy and confidentiality legislation
public safety
state of emergency
workers compensation
workplace relations
Aural or signed communications
Client requirements
Codes of practice
Communications technology equipment
Conventions
Emergency procedures
Evacuation procedures
Field reports
Maps
OH&S procedures
Memorandum of understanding/agreement
Organisational and workplace operating procedures and policies
Oral
Personal and work area work procedures and practices
Policies
Protocols
Quality assurance procedures
Relevant Australian or international documentation in disaster/emergency management
Standard operating procedures
Standards and certification requirements
Communication processes and systems may include:
Communication responsibilities of personnel
Data transfer
Designation of appropriate modes and channels of communication
Inter organisation liaison
Interpersonal communications
Radio communications
Telecommunications
Establishing and operating a command facility may include consideration of:
Amenities
Climatic conditions
Communication modes
Environment
Equipment characteristics
Logistical operations
Parking
Proximity to incident
Security requirements
Site access and exit requirements
Size and type of structure
Special incident requirements
Support services
Topography
Support services may include:
Emergency agencies
Equipment suppliers
Community service organisations
Contractors
Gas and power agencies
Land management agencies
Medical organisations
Transport
Water
Welfare and counselling organisations
Nature of the incident (imminent or actual) may include:
Biological
Civil/political events such as:
civil unrest
economic
eco-terrorism
enemy attack
financial collapse
general strike
hostage situation/s
sabotage
strikes
terrorism
Fire (forest, range, urban)
Natural events such as:
avalanche snow/ice/hail
drought
dust/sand storms
earthquakes/land shifts
extreme heat/cold
fauna rescue (e.g. marine life rescue)
flood/wind driven water
hurricane/typhoon
landslide/mudslide
lightning storm
search and rescue
tornado/cyclone
tsunami
volcanic eruption
windstorm/tropical storm
Technological/industrial events such as:
bio-hazards
building/structure collapse
business interruption
dam/levee failure
explosions/fire
extreme air pollution
fuel/resource shortages
hazardous material releases
power/utility failure
radiological accidents
transportation accidents
Activities and controlled changes include:
Communications
Logistics
Operations
Planning
Considering the nature, extent and potential of an incident may include:
Risk to life
Risk to environment
Risk to property
Demography
Hazard agent location
Potential for changes in situation
Resource availability
Scope and scale of incident including likely duration of incident
Speed of onset
Topography
Weather
Internal and external personnel and authorities may include:
Ancillary organisations
Clients
Emergency management specialists
Emergency organisations
Government and semi government authorities and departments
Higher authorities
Media
OH&S specialists
Operational personnel
Public
Service providers
Victims
Witnesses
Other analysts and stakeholders
Information management system may include:
Audio and visual recording mechanisms
Data receival
Public/media information dissemination
Procedures and protocols
Recording
Recording and documenting of incident
Security and authorisation assignment
Storage and dispatch modes
Types of technology - electronic data exchange devices
Incident Action Plan may include:
Accommodation and welfare arrangements
Change over procedures
Communications Plan
Incident objectives
Integrity of evidence
Information on alternative or fallback strategies
Information Plan for dissemination of information to all stakeholders
Information regarding the necessary logistical arrangements
Management arrangements, including establishment of sectors and divisions and site security
Management structure if established
Maps or site plans of the incident
Medical Plan and consideration of OH&S issues
Resources to be allocated to each division and sector
Statement of current situation and predictions of the incident's likely development (including key risk exposures)
Strategies to achieve defined incident objectives
Structural chart depicting the personnel in the incident management arrangements, including establishment of sectors and divisions
Timings of meetings and changeovers
Traffic management
Resources may include:
Aviation and marine vessels
Communication devices
Human (operations personnel)
Local, state/territory and federal governments
Machinery
Physical (equipment)
Support personnel
Technology devices
Volunteers
Vehicles
Personnel support activities may include:
Catering
Rest/relief counselling services
Sanitation
Shelter
Stress management services
Agreed reporting mechanisms will involve:
Authorisation
Distribution and development of reports in accordance with regulatory and organisational requirements and may include:
briefing papers
coronial reports
final reports
legal reports
media reports
ministerial reports
performance evaluations
situation reports - within emergency for external distribution
status reports
Operational debriefing may include:
Critical incident stress debriefing
Operational analysis
Performance evaluations
Documentation may include:
Applicable state, territory, commonwealth legislation and regulations which relate to:
environment protection legislation
equal employment opportunity and affirmative action
freedom of information
OH&S regulations and legislation
privacy and confidentiality legislation
public safety
state of emergency
workers compensation
workplace relations
Aural or signed communications
Client requirements
Codes of practice
Communications technology equipment
Conventions
Emergency procedures
Evacuation procedures
Field reports
Maps
OH&S procedures
Memorandum of understanding/agreement
Organisational and workplace operating procedures and policies
Oral
Personal and work area work procedures and practices
Policies
Protocols
Quality assurance procedures
Relevant Australian or international documentation in disaster/emergency management
Standard operating procedures
Standards and certification requirements
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:
establish and manage an Operations Section appropriate to the nature and complexity of the incident
task and apply resources to achieve resolution of the incident in accordance with the IAP and the principles of span of control
regularly communicate within the operations structure, and monitor and review of progress towards achievement of the IAP
implement response in accordance with organisational procedures and within bounds of authority
secure emergency/operations site
strategically react to changes within the emergency environment
incorporate risk management and contingency processes
log and record all actions and decisions
work effectively with the Incident Controller and other members of the IMT
liaise effectively with internal and external stakeholders
operate in a management role, effectively and efficiently delegating responsibility, monitoring performance, providing feedback and taking mitigation action to ensure completion of operations requirements at an incident.
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 operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
Level 3 incidents or simulation of Level 3 incidents, in a multi-agency response environment
equipment, personnel, facilities appropriate to a Level 3 incident and within the bounds of responsibility as designated within the requirements of control
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:
establish and manage an Operations Section appropriate to the nature and complexity of the incident
task and apply resources to achieve resolution of the incident in accordance with the IAP and the principles of span of control
regularly communicate within the operations structure, and monitor and review of progress towards achievement of the IAP
implement response in accordance with organisational procedures and within bounds of authority
secure emergency/operations site
strategically react to changes within the emergency environment
incorporate risk management and contingency processes
log and record all actions and decisions
work effectively with the Incident Controller and other members of the IMT
liaise effectively with internal and external stakeholders
operate in a management role, effectively and efficiently delegating responsibility, monitoring performance, providing feedback and taking mitigation action to ensure completion of operations requirements at an incident.
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 operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
Level 3 incidents or simulation of Level 3 incidents, in a multi-agency response environment
equipment, personnel, facilities appropriate to a Level 3 incident and within the bounds of responsibility as designated within the requirements of control
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAX92 | PUAOPE024 | Manage operations for a Level 3 incident | Unit of competency |
