UNIT NAME: Work in a Marine Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (SARCC)
UNIT CODE: SRB OPS 001A
UNIT DESCRIPTOR:
This unit covers the competency to support an emergency operation by providing information collection, collation and presentation services in a marine search and rescue coordination centre.
ELEMENT / PERFORMANCE CRITERIA- Activate a SARCC
- Initial operational and task information is obtained and analysed to determine likely nature of response
- Operations centre is opened and prepared by activating communications systems, accessing appropriate plans and directories in accordance with unit standing operating procedures.
- Operations centre staff are activated in accordance with unit standard operating procedures
- Other organisations are informed that the operations centre has been activated in accordance with standard operating procedures
2. Collect, maintain and display information /
- Operational information is actively sought from relevant persons or organisations according to organisation’s policy and procedures.
- Operational information is recorded legibly using standard operation procedures and State Rescue Board procedures and initial priorities applied.
- Information is evaluated for currency and correctness, and advice provided to the Search and Rescue Coordinator or Search and Rescue Officer.
- A reminder system is maintained to support the Search and Rescue Coordinator or Search and Rescue Officer.
- Incident files are maintained in accordance with organisation policies and procedures.
- Information displays are updated as required by organisation standard operating procedures
3. Disseminate information /
- Briefing areas are prepared
- Information is disseminated to organisations, teams and individuals as required in accordance with organisation’s policy and procedures
- Information for situational reports, operational orders and media releases is assembled for the Search and Rescue Coordinator or Search and Rescue Officer.
- Information is distributed within the operations centre in accordance with organisation’s policy and procedures
- Hand over to incoming shift is clear and includes relevant information
4. Close an operations
centre /
- Records and information are filed in accordance with standard operating procedures
- Communications systems are reset to stand-by modes
- Operations centre is cleaned, consumables restocked and equipment serviced as needed to allow rapid reactivation when required
- Statistical summaries are prepared
- Signs and symptoms of operational stress are recognised and promptly reported
- Debriefing requirements are met
- Other organisations are informed that the Operations Centre has been closed in accordance with organisation’s policies and procedures
RANGE OF VARIABLES
Emergency operations are usually the result of an event (such as a Mayday, Pan Pan, storm, marine incident or bushfire) that generates a significant response requirement over a large area of coastal range for protracted periods. Operations such as this differ from incidents where relatively small responses are required in tightly defined areas for relatively short periods of time (such as simple tows and battery starts or minor marine assists)
Search and Rescue Coordination Centres are:
established and purpose designed to deal with the emergency response roles of the VMR unit. Most SARccs are activated to respond to emergencies, but are normally operational as Radio bases until activated as a SARcc at which time they operate at a higher level during the emergency.
SRB OPS 001A - Work in a Marine Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (SARCC) V1
Operational information may include:
Location latitude and longitude
Vessel information
magnitude and type of event,
nature and extent of search area,
estimated duration of emergency
number and nature of casualties
resources available
weather forecast
sea and wave conditions
potential hazards
accredited vessels available
commercial and recreational vessels available
other organisations working in the local or search area, working in close liaison with the SARcc,
time of Mayday
availability of human resources
crews available
other non volunteer resources available
Communications systems may include:
fax, telephone and radio systems
Internet or intranet communications
other equipment or method
Activation of communication systems always includes testing
Other organisations may include:
Water Police
Marine Volunteer Emergency Service Organisation
AMSAR
emergency service organisations
local authorities
phone companies
welfare organisations
suppliers
Plans and directories may include:
response plans for specific hazards
State Rescue Board Policy and procedures
state disaster plans
local government plans
unit standing operating procedures
resource and contact directories
Organisation documentation may include:
request for assistance forms
vessel and base communications logs
summaries
running sheets
situation reports
task allocation sheets
requests for assistance
records of conversation
paper based or computerised
plus other documentation as described in organisation’s SOPs
tape recoding of radio traffic
national SAR Manual
Information sources may include:
members of the public
other emergency service organisations
members of the organisation in the field
reconnaissance teams
the master of vessels in distress
SRB OPS 001A - Work in a Marine Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (SARCC) V1
Operational information plots may include:
Charts
sketch maps
whiteboard information summaries
frequently used contact numbers
warnings
resources available and the limitation of those resources eg fuel capacitiy, crew fatique, vessel operational limitations
statistical summaries
computer based geographic information systems (GIS)
computer based vessel tracking systems
AMSAR information
marking topographical or other cartographic representations
magnetic displays
Information dissemination may include:
task information to elements of your own or other organisations
preparing briefing notes
summary information for higher authorities
orders for suppliers
media releases
requests for assistance
EVIDENCE GUIDE
Critical aspects ofevidence
Ability to legibly record and prioritise requests for assistance and present information for decision-makers
Underpinning knowledge
local operations centre activation procedures
standard operating procedures
local and state emergency management plans
relevant legislation and regulations
nature of local hazards and methods of combating these
local information management systems
communications systems used in the organisation’s operations centres
requirements for drafting situation reports, operation orders
SAR Manuals
Underpinning skills
ability to write legibly
ability to plot information on navigational charts
ability to read and interpret maps/charts
ability to speak the English language
ability to use marine radios
Resource implications Assessment will require access to an appropriately equipped operations centre
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 will be in the context of a real operation or a simulation
KEY COMPETENCY
Collect, analyse and organise information / Communicate ideas and information / Plan and organise activities / Work with others and in teams / Use mathematical ideas and techniques / Solve problems / Use technology2 / 2 / 2 / 2 / 2 / 2 / 2
SRB OPS 001A - Work in a Marine Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (SARCC) V1