This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to gather, assemble and disseminate timely, tailored and relevant information to the community and media and if the Incident Controller requires and can also include government, incident personnel and their organisations.

An individual performing this role has the title of Public Information Officer and is typically appointed by the Incident Controller. Public Information Officers are required to liaise with the planning section, intelligence section/unit and other Incident Management Team (IMT) units to gather information about the incident. They then assemble this information into a form suitable for dissemination to the public, media and other stakeholders.

They will also provide timely and relevant information to stakeholders; provide warnings and information to threatened communities, other stakeholders and the public; liaise with news media; manage media liaison issues and consult with affected communities in conjunction with relief and recovery organisations and/or agencies. Authorisation to perform this role is subject to organisational policies and procedures.

This qualification may provide a pathway to higher education including the Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Emergency Management) or to other single units such as Media for a major incident, relevant to their role in emergency management.

Enrolment is open for 6 months. The time to complete the unit 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 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 – 5 virtual half day sessions
• onsite – approx. 3 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.

There are no required pre-requisites for this unit.

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 PUAOPE003 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 $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.