Description

This unit covers the competency to bring together organisations and other resources to support an emergency management response.

Coordination refers to the bringing together of organisations and other resources to support an emergency management response. It involves the systematic acquisition and application of resources (organisational, human and equipment) in an emergency situation.

Pre-Requisites

Performance Criteria

1. Commence coordination
1.1 The coordination arrangements are invoked in accordance with agreed authority/responsibility
1.2 A coordination facility is established in accordance with the requirements of control
1.3 The coordination arrangements are communicated to participating organisations and to relevant
authorities/organisations pertinent to the emergency/incident situation

2. Establish and maintain a coordination network
2.1 A coordination network is established appropriate to the nature and complexity of the emergency
2.2 The coordination network integrates with the control and command activities to meet the objectives of the control plan
2.3 The coordination network is expanded, contracted or modified in response to changes within the emergency
environment

3. Manage resource requirements in accordance with control requirements
3.1 Resources are identified through the coordination network and external providers/authorities which may be
appropriate to control requirements
3.2 Resources are acquired to meet the requirements of the control plan
3.3 Resources are supplied to meet operational requirements within negotiated timeframes
3.4 Allocated resources are monitored to ensure operational effectiveness and to confirm additional requirements

4. Conclude coordination activities
4.1 An audit is undertaken to ensure that resources are acquired and supplied in a cost-effective and efficient
manner (where applicable)
4.2 Resources released from the emergency are returned to providers as appropriate
4.3 Acquisition and supply of resources meet the requirements of control

5. Review coordination
5.1 Debriefs are conducted to evaluate coordination effectiveness
5.2 Reports are produced as required and communicated in accordance with established protocols

Key Competencies

• Collect, Analyse & Organise Information
• Communicate Ideas & Information
• Plan & Organise Activities
• Work with Others & in Teams
• Use Mathematical Ideas & Techniques
• Solve Problems
• Use Technology

Range Statement

Types of emergencies (imminent or actual) may include

• natural events
• drought
• fire (forest grassland urban)
• avalanche snow/ice/hail
• tsunami
• windstorm/tropical storm
• hurricane/typhoon
• biological
• extreme heat/cold
• flood/wind driven water
• earthquakes/land shifts
• volcanic eruption
• tornado/cyclone
• landslide/mudslide
• dust/sand storms
• lightning storm

Technological/industrial incidents may include

• radiological accidents
• dam/levee failure
• fuel/resource shortages
• strikes
• business interruption
• financial collapse
• hazardous material spills
• hazardous material releases
• explosions/fire
• transportation accidents
• building/structure collapse
• power/utility failure
• extreme air pollution

Civil/political events may include

• economic
• general strike
• terrorism
• sabotage
• hostage situation(s)
• civil unrest
• eco-terrorism
• enemy attack

Considerations in the determination of the nature, extent and potential of an emergency may include

• risk to life
• risk to property
• risk to environment
• scope and scale of incident including likely duration of incident
• resource availability
• potential for changes in situation
• topography
• weather
• speed of onset
• hazard agent location
• demography

Resources may include

• human-operations personnel
• volunteers
• support personnel
• local
• state/territory and federal governments
• physical-equipment
• machinery
• vehicles
• technology devices
• communication devices

Information management system may include

• data receival
• recording
• storage and dispatch modes
• procedures and protocols
• types of technology – electronic data exchange devices
• audio and visual recording mechanisms
• security and authorisation assignment

Personnel support activities may include

• supply of catering
• sanitation
• shelter
• rest/relief counselling services
• stress management services
• medical

Control facility establishment procedures and principles may include

•  consideration of proximity to emergency/incident
• size and type of structure
• special incident requirements
• communication modes
• logistical operations
• site access and exit requirements
• security requirements
• equipment characteristics
• support services
• amenities
• parking

Communication processes and systems may involve

• designation of appropriate modes and channels of communication
• communication responsibilities of personnel radio communications
• inter organisation liaison
• data transfer
• telecommunications
• interpersonal communications

Consultative processes may involve

• clients
• emergency management specialists
• emergency organisations
• higher authorities
• public
• media
• other professional or technical staff and/or organisations
• occupational health and safety specialists

Agreed reporting mechanisms will involve

• authorisation
• distribution and development of reports in accordance with
• regulatory and organisational requirements and may include:
  - media reports
  - ministerial reports
  - coronial reports
  - situation reports-within emergency
  - for external distribution-status reports
  - performance evaluations
  - legal reports
  - final reports
  - briefing papers

Identification and acquisition of resources may involve

• networking
• geographical analysis
• cost benefit analysis
• logistics
• supply-demand financial analysis

Debriefing may include

• performance evaluation
• operational analysis
• logistics
• supply-demand
• financial analysis

Coordination network may involve

•  operative and support organisations
• contractors
• other emergency organisations
• water
• gas and power agencies
• welfare and counselling organisations
• medical organisations
• equipment suppliers
• contractors
• community service organisations
• land management agencies
• Federal
• State/territory and local government authorities
• Audit may comprise supply mechanisms
• supply cost
• damage reports
• reconciliation

Sources of information/documents may include

• emergency procedures
• standard operating procedures
• relevant Australian or international documentation in disaster/emergency management
• organisational and workplace operating procedures and policies
• client requirements
• communications technology equipment
• oral
• aural or signed communications
• personal and work area work procedures and practices
• evacuation procedures
• occupational health and safety procedures
• applicable State, Territory, Commonwealth legislation and regulations which relate to:
  - public safety
  - state of emergency
  - occupational health and safety regulations and legislation
  - Workplace Relations Act(s)
  - workers compensation
  - privacy and confidentiality legislation
  - freedom of information
  - environment protection legislation
  - equal opportunity
  - equal employment opportunity and affirmative action
• legislation
• standards and certification requirements
• quality assurance procedures
• memorandum of understanding/agreement
• conventions
• protocols
• policies
• codes of practice
• procurement procedures

Evidence Guide

Critical aspects of evidence

• It is essential for this unit that competence be demonstrated in ability to:
  - Implement coordination response in accordance with control plan and within bounds of authority
  - Identify, select, prioritise, implement and evaluate appropriate strategies for the acquisition and deployment of resources in accordance with control and command plan requirements
  - analyse resources requirements in accordance with present and future control requirements
  - implement and maintain an effective communication system both internal and external to an emergency
  - monitor the deployment of resources in meeting control requirements
  - maintain procurement and workplace records
  - strategically react to changes within the emergency environment
  - incorporate risk management and contingency processes
  - evaluate performance of coordination in meeting the requirements of control
  - modify activities to cater for variations and changes in emergency contexts and environments
  - apply underpinning knowledge and skills when establishing plans
  - describe consequences
  - complete tasks
  - identify improvements
  - apply safety precautions relevant to the task
  - show evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including hazard policies and procedures, issue resolution, procedures, job procedures and work instruction guidelines relating to the procurement of resources, quality assurance, procedures (where existing), privacy, confidentiality and
  security procedures, waste, pollution and environmental management recovery processes

Underpinning knowledge

• control and organisation command structure
• emergency site layout
• knowledge of principles and practices to conduct an activity which exercises elements of public safety management
• security and confidentiality of material

Underpinning skills

• accessing information and support from the control facility
• advanced communication and interpersonal skills
• apply relevant agreements, codes of practice or other legislative requirements
• development of response plans including predicting consequences and identifying improvements
• effective and efficient deployment of human and physical electronic data exchange systems
• focus of operation of work systems and equipment
• logistics management
• other organisations’ personnel and external authorities
• radio frequency devices
• resources including:
  - operative and non-operative personnel materials
  - equipment and consumables
  - use equipment
  - using a range of information technology devices including computers
  - using tools and techniques to solve problems

Resource implications

• Resources should involve access to or simulation of emergency situations in a multi-organisation response environment This includes identification, procurement and deployment of equipment, personnel, facilities etc appropriate to the emergency situation and within the bounds of responsibility as designated within the requirements of control

Consistency in performance

• Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments

Context of assessment

• Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment