SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Render assistance during a technical rescue incident 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
242851  Render assistance during a technical rescue incident 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Fire and Rescue 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Cleaning, Domestic, Hiring, Property and Rescue Services 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The qualifying learner achieving this unit standard will, as a member of a team, be able to render support during technical rescue operations. The learner will add to their professional capabilities and further their career within the fire and rescue profession.

On completion of this unit standard learners will be able to:
  • Respond appropriately to a technical rescue incident.
  • Participate in assessing the rescue scene.
  • Assist with the performance of rescue operations.
  • Assist in the termination of rescue operations. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The learner will be assumed to be competent in the following at an NQF Level 3.
  • Communications.
  • Mathematical Literacy.

    It is recommended that learners should be in a fit medical and physical condition as per industry standards and norms. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Assistance' is limited throughout to the learner's defined scope of practice, as a team member, in a supportive role.
  • Where necessary, range statements have been included under specific outcomes, assessment criteria or essential embedded knowledge. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Respond to a technical rescue incident. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Technical rescue incidents include:
  • Rope rescue i.e. vertical, high angle and low angle.
  • Confined space rescue i.e. cave, tunnel, vessels and containers.
  • Collapse rescue i.e. structural, trench and excavations.
  • Water rescue i.e. sea and surf, dams and lakes and swift water.
  • Wilderness rescue. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The need for a technical rescue team response is recognised, and the appropriate response is initiated in line with the type of incident. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Appropriate rescue equipment is identified, selected and prepared for use, in line with the requirements of the incident. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Rescue equipment may include:
  • Airbags.
  • Cutting tools, manual and powered.
  • Hydraulic tools.
  • Pneumatic equipment.
  • Drills.
  • Winches, cables and ropes, including associated ancillary equipment.
  • Lighting equipment.
  • Variety of hand tools.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Operation and task information is obtained and updated, using all relevant sources. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Personal protective equipment is correctly selected, based on nature of rescue operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Incident scene safety procedures and parameters are established, taking into consideration the safety of all involved in the incident and the public. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Participate in assessing the rescue scene. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Rescue scene reconnaissance is conducted thoroughly, ensuring that all hazards are identified. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Hazards may include:
  • Electrical hazards.
  • Water.
  • Traffic and crowds.
  • Stability of rescue site.
  • Hazardous materials.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Hazards are reported to a supervisor in line with the organisation's protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Anticipated risks are discussed within the rescue team, taking into consideration the impact of environmental factors. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The impact of environmental factors may include:
  • The effects of weather.
  • Insufficient light.
  • Difficulties of access to incident scene.
  • Difficult terrain.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Communication with team members is maintained using appropriate techniques, signals and terminology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Needs are identified and reported to the supervisor, with reference to additional personnel and/ or specialist equipment requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Personal capabilities and limitations are recognised and referred to the supervisor as appropriate within the context of the specific incident. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Assist with the performance of rescue operations. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Each of the assessment criteria is applied to each of the different kinds of technical rescue; that is, they are applied in a specific context e.g. a tunnel rescue rather than the broader category 'confined space'. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Access to the incident site and/or victims is gained, using techniques and equipment in line with the requirements of the specific incident. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Operational procedures are conducted in accordance with supervisor's instructions and industry safety norms and standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Victims are prepared for removal and extricated safely using appropriate equipment and techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The incident scene is constantly monitored for hazards, in line with standard operating procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Assist in termination of rescue operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Equipment is recovered, cleaned and maintained in accordance with organisational standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Signs and symptoms of operational stress in self and in others are identified and reported to relevant personnel, in line with the organisation's protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The incident debriefing session is attended, and participation in the debriefing indicates engagement with issues. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor/moderator with the relevant ETQA.
  • Such registration assumes that the assessor has both ETDP competence as well as substantial functional competence in the relevant area of practice.
  • This point leads to the assumption that any assessor assessing this unit standard is not relying simply on the content of the unit standard to guide their practise. Rather the assessor is drawing on a wealth of experiential knowledge for which this unit standard provides a quality benchmark.

    Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Such accreditation assumes that the institution has access to relevant resources and staff with a substantial functional competence in the relevant area of practice.
  • This point leads to the assumption that any person providing education or training leading to this unit standards is not relying simply on the content of the unit standard to guide their practise. Rather the trainer/educator is drawing on a wealth of experiential knowledge for which this unit standard provides a quality benchmark.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to:
  • The ETQA's policies and guidelines.
  • Agreements reached concerning assessment and moderation between ETQAs (including professional bodies). 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • The use of specialised equipment and resources to effect a rescue. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    By effectively functioning within a role as part of a team. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
  • The ability to recognize work group problems.
  • The ability to recognize equipment and machinery problems.
  • Complete all related departmental forms. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    By effectively communicating with supervisors, team members and other role players at an emergency scene. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    By demonstrating the ability to inspect, maintain and use equipment and machinery and observe all safety regulations. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  64390   National Certificate: Emergency Services Supervision: Fire and Rescue Operations  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  LG SETA 
    Elective  57803   Further Education and Training Certificate: Fire and Rescue Operations  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  LG SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Fire Protection Association of Southern Africa 
    2. Goldfields Emergency Fire Services Training Academy 
    3. Josmap Training Institute 
    4. Mortarboard Training Solutions 
    5. Progressive School of Business and Engineering (Pty) 
    6. PTDEV (Pty) Ltd 
    7. RLSTP Training & Development (PTY) LTD. 
    8. Sebenzisanane Human Capital 
    9. South African Corporate Training Association 
    10. Tshwane Training Institute (PTY) LTD. 
    11. Vhutshilo Health And Training Organisation 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.