/ Wollongong City State Emergency Service
PO Box 256
Thirroul 2515
Phone: 02 4227 1200
Fax: 02 4226 9042

Remote Area Search Preparedness Assessment Instrument

Revision Date: 9th December 2000

Author:Steve Cliffe

Purpose

This assessment activity is to be used to determine the suitability of members to participate in remote area searches. Because of the level of preparation and fitness required for remote area searches and the fact that the Police Rescue Squad, who we are assisting in this activity, require that we only supply capable members, a method of selecting these members needs to be defined. This assessment activity is designed to provide a tool to ensure those members wishing to undertake remote area searches meet some baseline criteria.

Equipment

Each member undertaking this assessment activity will need to be equipped as though undertaking an overnight search in rugged bushland for 48 hours. The following unit equipment will need to be available:

Item / Count / Comment
Search Pack / 1 per person / May use own personal
Sleeping Bag / 1 per person / May use own personal
Sleeping Mat / 1 per person / May use own personal
2 Person Tent / 1 per pair
Trangia Stove / 1 per pair
Fuel Bottle / 1 per pair / Full
Map Case / 1 per pair / Per pair of candidates
Compass / 1 per pair / Per pair of candidates
1:25,000 Appin Map / 1 per pair / Per pair of candidates
10m x 8mm (min.) rope / 1 per pair
Hand-held radio / 2+ / 1 Per pair of candidates plus one for the assessor
Activity Description

Members are to present themselves at the start of the activity dressed and fully equipped (minus food but with water) to spend 48 hours in the bush. The current weather conditions at the time of assessment will be used but candidates are to be advised that the forecast condition for the search be for cold and wet conditions. Provided they are appropriately equipped they will be dropped off at the Stanwell Park railway station where they will then follow the supplied navigation route in pairs. Pairs should be started at 10-15 minute intervals.

The route finishes at the Kelly’s Falls car park where they must pitch the tent and boil some water using the Trangia stove to simulate the setting up for an overnight camp.

There is a time limit of two and a half hours to complete this activity.

Assessment Criteria – Skills
Jobs / Tasks / Did the candidate:
Prepare for search / Pack and dress for search /
  • Dress appropriately
  • Pack appropriately including
  • Suitable pack
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping mat
  • Sufficient clothing (including thermals)
  • Water
  • Personal first aid kit
  • Whistle
  • Wet weather gear
  • Tent
  • Stove + fuel
  • Light source

Follow route / Follow supplied route with a partner /
  • Correct Navigation
  • Orienteering markers located and punched
  • Arrive at finish location within time

Set up camp / Pitch tent
Boil water /
  • Pitch tent efficiently and correctly
  • Safe use of stove
  • Boil water

Assessment Criteria – Underpinning Knowledge
Possible Question / Possible Response
Describe the food you would take /
  • Food for the expected duration plus 1 spare meal

What should you do if you became separated from the team during a search? /
  • Stop
  • Attempt to attract the attention of the rest of the team via 6 whistle blasts

What should the team do if a member becomes injured? /
  • Treat them
  • Contact field search HQ if possible
  • Leave at least 1 member with the injured party and send at least 2 for assistance

What should you do if you have a problem or find the going too tough? /
  • Notify the team leader immediately

Remote Area Search Preparedness Assessment Summary Sheet

Pre-Assessment
Candidate:
Assessor:

Assessment process explained to the candidate?

Candidate ready to be assessed?

Post Assessment

Candidate’s Comments:

Assessor’s Comments:

Completion Time:

Result (circle)CompetentFurther Training Required

Candidate’s Signature
Sign: Date: / Assessor’s Signature
Sign: Date:

Remote Area Search Preparedness Assessment Course Details

Description / Grid Reference
Start / Stanwell Part Railway Station / 139107
Follow Wodi-Wodi track from Western platform. About 400-500m along this track another track appears on the right hand side that heads up the escarpment. About 50-100m up this track you will come across 3 stone chairs. From these chairs follow a magnetic bearing of 258 for 40m to find an orienteering marker. Record the punch below. / 137106
Continue following this track to the top of the escarpment and proceed to the Pool of Peace / 136112
Proceed north to the small triangular park just off Lawrence Hargrave Dr. From the Centre of this park follow a grid bearing of 282 for 40m to another orienteering marker. Record the punch below. / 137115
Follow the track that starts on the other side of Lawrence Hargrave Dr to the top of the spur that starts at a constructed stone lookout. / 139120
Descend the spur to Kelly’s Creek. Locate the orienteering marker in the creek and record the punch below. / 142121
Follow Kelly’s Creek upstream to the pool at the base of Kelly’s Falls / 139122
Head up to the right to the base of the cliff line and follow this east to start of a rough track leading up the cliff / 139123
Follow this track to the top of the cliff
Follow the track at the top of the cliff west to the Kelly’s Falls carpark / 137121
Finish
Punch 1 / Punch 2 / Punch 3