Unit of competency Outline

Information current as of
14/09/2026 6:37 AM AWST

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Undertake land search and rescue duties

Undertake land search and rescue duties

Unit of competency
National Code
POLSAR025
State Code
OFK75
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Pending
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
30/07/2026
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
Original Release Date
30/07/2026
Nominal Hours
Field of Education
091105 - Police Studies
Description
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to coordinate land search and rescue (SAR) responses, determine current location and destination of subject(s), plan safe routes/courses, and plan land SAR operations.This unit applies to those working as police staff involved in police land SAR operations. It may be applied in the field and within an office environment.The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those related to work health and safety (WHS).Those undertaking this unit would work within multi-agency teams and often liaise with stakeholders, while completing complex tasks in a broad range of contexts. They would make decisions independently while giving consideration to financial and human resource management requirements. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
General notes
N/A
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for land SAR response.
  • 1.1 Identify a command and control structure to facilitate land SAR operations.
  • 1.2 Assess requirements of the SAR incident to establish forward command post.
  • 1.3 Conduct risk and search urgency assessment to determine level of response.
  • 1.4 Identify jurisdictional information management systems required to gather information in relation to the subject(s).
  • 1.5 Assess information obtained from jurisdictional information management systems to inform land SAR operations.
  • 1.6 Assess characteristics of the subject(s) and environment to inform SAR operations.
  • 1.7 Communicate with stakeholders to facilitate flow of information to progress SAR operation.
2. Determine current location, destination and resources
  • 2.1 Assess information and intelligence gathered relating to the location and details of incident.
  • 2.2 Select appropriate maps and relevant resources from which to source and interpret information.
  • 2.3 Analyse information from maps and relevant resources to ensure accurate parameters of search area.
  • 2.4 Analyse data to plot incident location.
  • 2.5 Calculate incident distance and location from distinct features.
  • 2.6 Plot probable and possible search areas to determine resource allocation and asset deployment.
  • 2.7 Evaluate terrain to identify impacts on land SAR operations.
  • 2.8 Identify safe routes and potential access restrictions to determine access to search area.
  • 2.9 Identify specialist resources to facilitate land SAR operations.
3. Provide navigational references to SAR operations teams
  • 3.1 Calculate location using magnetic bearings, and/or latitude and longitude and/or incident location details provided by callers.
  • 3.2 Communicate navigational references to SAR operations team to inform search area.
  • 3.3 Communicate navigational references to field personnel for use in portable navigation aids.
  • 3.4 Communicate directional information to operations team on request.
4. Conduct land SAR response
  • 4.1 Determine size of search area to establish search boundaries.
  • 4.2 Assess relevance of land search strategies to develop an accurate search area.
  • 4.3 Select land search patterns in accordance with search strategy, prevailing conditions and terrain.
  • 4.4 Determine taskings for assets to facilitate land SAR operations.
  • 4.5 Deploy portable navigation aids to SAR members, where available, to provide timely information.
  • 4.6 Analyse information from portable navigation aids to determine areas searched by teams.
  • 4.7 Monitor and review size of search area based on prioritisation.
  • 4.8 Modify land search patterns using on scene intelligence, continuously reviewing feasibility of rescue plan.
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
ODO02 POLSAR018 Undertake land search and rescue duties Unit of competency
No information