This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to implement actions to resolve a Level 3 incident, consistent with the objectives identified by the Incident Controller. It includes establishing command, establishing command facilities, establishing a command structure, establishing procedures to permit command to be exercised, contributing to the development of the incident action plan, managing operations, concluding operations and reviewing operations.

A person performing the role of Operations Officer is delegated responsibility by the Incident Controller. They support the Incident Controller and other members of the Incident Management Team (IMT). Operations Officers are required to implement strategies to resolve the incident, manage all activities that are undertaken directly to resolve the incident and manage all resources, people and equipment, assigned to the operations section.

Level 3 incidents are characterised by degrees of complexity and consequence that may require the establishment of significant resources and structure for the effective management of the situation. These incidents will usually involve delegation of all functions. Authorisation to perform this role is subject to organisational policies and procedures.

This qualification may provide a pathway to higher education including the Diploma of Public Safety (Emergency Management) or to other single units such as Control a Level 3 Incident, relevant to their role in emergency management.

Enrolment is open for 6 months. If extensions of this time are required, this can be arranged with our Admin team.

Individual students can complete this unit as RPL only at this time.

A group option for completion of this unit via training/assessment is available to organisations. The unit can be run using a combination of face-to-face or virtual workshops and self-paced study before and after the workshops. Excluding individual work time and any virtual introduction kick-off session, this usually means for both virtual and onsite courses:

• virtual – 4 virtual half day sessions
• onsite – 2 full day sessions

We combine a range of assessment methods including:

• Work products and projects
• Demonstrations through virtual or face to face scenarios and video submission of skills or tasks such as role plays
• Completion of written questions, case studies and reports

The types of questions and tasks will reflect the level of skills expected from AQF level 5 courses, meaning students will be expected to demonstrate a broad theoretical and technical knowledge of emergency management, and will show the ability to analyse information, manage sometimes complex situations, and transmit information to others.

The time required to review training resources and complete assessment tasks will vary between individuals. As a guide for organisational groups:

Pre course – Estimated hours = 2 hours

Completing enrolment and LLN check, sharing a summary of previous experience, accessing course portal, pre-reading case studies, attending virtual kick-off session.

During course – Estimated hours = 21 hours

Joining discussions, completing activities and case studies and participating in demonstrations and exercises.

Post course – Estimated hours = 4 hours

Finalisation of workbook submission.

It is a national requirement that individuals working in the fire sector hold the units PUAOPE23 Manage Operations for a level 2 incident prior to being issued the PUAOPE024 Manage operations for a level 3 incident unit.

It is an ACIMS entry requirement that all students hold PUAOPE023 before commencing this program.

Most courses are not introductory and assume a base level of knowledge and experience in emergency management, often having performed an incident management team role in the past and had introductory training for that role.

Current relevant paid/volunteer role: ACIMS encourages students to share their background and current involvement in paid or volunteer roles as relevant to this qualification. While not essential for completion of this unit, having access to a suitable organisation’s policies and procedures will assist students in completion of tasks and projects and contextualising their learning to different areas within emergency management.

Core skills expected: It is expected students have a level of digital literacy to access information, communicate and complete training and assessment activities using a computer/tablet and our online learning platform.

Students will be required to complete a number of tasks independently, and to have the skills to manage their own time and study.

At the diploma level students are expected to be able to research and analyse information, and to apply knowledge to real world situations. Students will be required to independently read and understand a range of different documents including legislation, plans and policies, guidebooks and articles. Students are also required to develop written documentation, including risk assessments, action plans, and reports.

A key skill for this program is the ability to effectively communicate with others in English, including in time critical and stressful situations.

All students are asked to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) assessment as part of their enrolment process with ACIMS.

Technology requirements: Students will require access to a computer/tablet device with word processing software, internet browser and email account. An internet connection is also required. A webcam/microphone and speakers (or headset) will be needed for any virtual meetings. ACIM Solutions may be able to assist you with access to a computer device if you do not have options for meeting this requirement.

This is a stand-alone unit. Qualification requirements do not apply.

Recognition of prior learning is available for this unit. If you have employment experience in this area, you may apply for recognition or prior learning. The ACIM team will work with you to determine if this unit is suitable for RPL and provide you with an RPL assessment tool to summarise your available evidence. You will be required to provide supporting evidence for review by the assessor. The assessor can also ask for completion of third party reports, referee checks and to hold competency conversations with you via phone or videoconference.

Students who hold non-equivalent units to a current unit, such as from a preceding training package release, can apply for RPL of these units, with the requirement of any gaps in unit requirements and currency requirements being met.

Upon meeting all requirements for this qualification, you will be issued with a PUAOPE024 statement of attainment from ACIMS RTO #41002. The unit will be added to your USI transcript. This is issued electronically, with a hard-copy available on request.

Costs will be finalised with individual students or organisations once the details of the training have been determined. A reduced price is provided for RPL.

As a guide, a self-paced individual student will need to pay $775 to complete this unit via training and assessment. To complete the unit via RPL will cost $665.

For individual students, payment is to be made by direct bank or credit card.  For organisations, purchase order and invoicing is available.

ACIMS does not offer fee assistance and is not currently a part of VET student loans or commonwealth supported VET courses.