Protect & Preserve Incident Scene

PUALAW001B – Protect and preserve incident scene

CERTIFICATE II

Overview

To determine the causal factors related to any incident or accident requires an investigation. The conduct of such investigations requires specialised forensic skills and knowledge and is therefore the responsibility of specialists. However, the success or failure of the investigation is critically dependent upon the actions of personnel involved throughout all the phases of the incident. This includes those who initially respond to an incident, those who participate in securing and protecting the scene upon arrival and all personnel involved in subsequent phases of the incident. Direct observation, recorded notes, sketches and photographs can all provide vital information in an investigation.

This learner resource will assist an individual to gain the skills and knowledge to work as a member of a team, and without direct supervision in some situations, to protect and preserve the scene of an accident of incident.

Target

audience

The target audience for this training are individuals who are required to work as part of a team and under direct supervision to:

·         conduct an initial assessment

·         take action to maintain public safety and preserve the scene

·         note and record details and information.

Nominal

duration

20 hours

Relationship to PUA units

This document is part of the support materials for the unit of competency, PUALAW001B Protect and Preserve Incident Scene. PUALAW001B is an elective unit in Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations) and Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations).

Course
content

This learner resource is divided into four sections.

·         Section 1 discusses how a firefighter can contribute to the collection of evidence when a call is received and while en route to an incident.

·         Section 2 examines how an on-scene assessment can provide important information about causal factors and describes the type of information that should be noted and reported.

·         Section 3 discusses factors impacting upon scene security and preservation and how techniques may vary for a range of contexts.

·         Section 4 outlines the recording and reporting procedures required for any subsequent investigation.

Learning objectives

On completion of PUALAW001B, participants will be able to:

·         work as a member of a team and in some situations without direct supervision, to protect and preserve the scene of an accident or incident

·         describe the observations that may have an impact on the public and on the preservation of a scene and should be observed en route and upon arrival at an incident so as to assist any subsequent investigation

·         describe factors to be considered upon arrival at an incident and the procedures for conducting an on-scene assessment

·         describe the procedures for securing and preserving an incident scene

·         describe the procedures for collecting and preserving evidence

·         describe the procedures for reporting and recording information for an investigation.