This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to enable two-way communication with the community and to promote a positive public image. It includes promoting and representing the organisation in the community and advising and involving the community in public safety activities.

The unit is applicable to personnel who are required to take an active community engagement and educational role.

This unit may provide a pathway to higher education including as a fire specific pre-requisite for PUACOM007 – a core in the Diploma and Advanced of Public Safety, or other qualifications and skill sets.

Enrolment is open for 6 months. The time to complete the program will vary depending on the individual or group learning plan.

Individual students can complete this unit self-paced supported by online resources and a virtual 1-1 tutorial for each unit of study.

A group option for completion of this unit is also available to organisations. The unit can be run as a face-to-face or virtual workshop and will involve some self-paced study after the workshop. Excluding individual work time and any virtual introduction kick-off session, this usually means for both virtual and onsite courses:

• virtual – 2 virtual half day session
• onsite – approx. 1 full day session

We combine a range of assessment methods including:

• Demonstrations through virtual/video or face to face role plays
• Completion of written questions and case studies

The types of questions and tasks will reflect the level of skills expected from AQF level 4 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 = 30 minutes

Completing enrolment and LLN check, sharing a summary of previous experience, accessing course portal.

During course – Estimated hours = 7 hours

Joining discussions and completing activities.

Post course – Estimated hours = 3 hours

Finalisation of workbook submission.

It is a national requirement that individuals working in the fire sector hold the unit PUATEA004 Work effectively in a public safety organisation prior to being issued the PUACOM005 unit.

If you are from a fire organisation, you should already hold this pre-requisite unit. Please confirm/submit evidence of holding this unit. This can be a USI transcript, a statement of attainment, or a copy of your training record from your organisation with the unit highlighted.

If you do not currently hold this required unit, you are required to gain this before we can issue you your PUACOM005 certificate.

Current relevant role: ACIMS encourages students to share their background and current involvement in roles as relevant to this unit. While not essential for completion of this program, having access to a suitable organisation will assist students in completion of tasks and projects and contextualising their learning.

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 some tasks independently, and to have the skills to manage their own time and study.

The types of questions and tasks will reflect the level of skills expected from AQF level 4 courses, meaning students will be expected to demonstrate theoretical and technical knowledge of emergency management relevant to their area of work, and will show the ability to analyse information, manage sometimes unpredictable situations, and transmit information to others.

A key skill for this program is the ability to effectively communicate with others in English.

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 statement of attainment for PUACOM005 from ACIMS RTO #41002. The units 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 $725 to complete this unit via training and assessment. To complete the unit via RPL will cost $625.

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.