Respond to Local Emergencies and Incidents

• Understanding workplace emergency types, roles and responsibilities in emergency response, and the legislative and regulatory framework applicable to incident response in high-risk industries.
• Hazard identification and initial assessment identifying and reporting incident types, assessing risk, and determining the appropriate initial response.
• Responding to work site incidents, including implementing emergency procedures, establishing forward control points, and coordinating with emergency response team members.
• Implementing local emergency response plans, including preparation, activation, and escalation procedures.
• Monitoring the incident situation, taking necessary precautionary measures, and adapting the response as conditions change.
• Evacuation procedures, first response actions, and supporting the safety of personnel during an emergency.
• Communication and coordination requirements during an incident, including liaising with incident commanders, ERT members, and external emergency services.
• Supporting formal relief, handover, and debrief processes at the conclusion of an incident.
• Recovery support and post-incident review, including contributing to recommendations for improvement.

This course is delivered through a blend of:

• Facilitator-led classroom sessions covering emergency management frameworks, incident response procedures, hazard awareness, and workplace regulatory requirements.
• Practical, hands-on simulations in realistic workplace environments, applying incident response and emergency procedures under realistic conditions.
• Group-based exercises developing teamwork, communication, and decision-making skills during simulated incidents.
• Scenario-based activities requiring learners to plan, respond to, and conclude a range of incident types across the course.
• Performance-based assessments including knowledge and practical assessments confirming competence against the requirements of the units of competency.

 

The Respond to Local Emergencies and Incidents course is designed for workers in high-risk industries including resources, oil and gas, mining, and infrastructure who may be required to take immediate and coordinated action during workplace incidents and local emergencies. It is particularly suited to operational employees, emergency response team members, fire team members, and safety support personnel whose role requires them to implement and support emergency response at the local level.

Learners who will be best placed to meet the course's performance requirements will typically hold current competency in firefighting and breathing apparatus operation before attending. It is essential that learners hold current certification in the following prior to enrolling:
Firefighting and Emergency Response

• RIIERR201E Conduct fire team operations, or
• PMAWHS213 Undertake fire control and emergency rescue

Breathing Apparatus

• PUAFIR207 Operate breathing apparatus open circuit, or
• MSMWHS216 Operate breathing apparatus

Evidence of prior certification in each area must be provided to ERGT Australia for verification before course commencement. Learners who do not hold current certification in these areas should contact ERGT Australia before enrolling to discuss whether this course is appropriate for their current role and experience level.

This course is suitable for both new entrants to emergency response roles and experienced personnel building on existing capability. There are no formal training standard prerequisites beyond the prior skills requirements above.

Physical Requirements

This is a physically active three-day course involving practical emergency response exercises in simulated workplace environments. Learners must be able to:

• Don, wear, and operate breathing apparatus during practical scenario exercises.
• Wear and operate personal protective equipment, including in conditions of heat and physical exertion during simulated emergency scenarios.
• Perform physical tasks associated with emergency response, including movement in challenging environments, casualty handling assistance, and operating firefighting equipment.
• Sustain physically active participation across three consecutive days of practical training.

A medical certificate is not required; however, a health questionnaire and declaration of fitness will be required at course registration. Learners are encouraged to contact ERGT Australia before the course if they have any concerns about their ability to meet these requirements. Reasonable adjustments will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Under the respiratory protection standard AS/NZS 1715, learners must be clean-shaven to achieve an effective facial seal when wearing breathing apparatus. If you are unsure whether this requirement applies to you, contact ERGT Australia prior to your course date.

Psychological and Emotional Demands

This course involves participation in realistic emergency response scenarios across three days. Learners should be prepared to:

• Respond to simulated workplace incidents and emergencies — including fire, hazardous situations, and casualty scenarios — under time pressure and in conditions designed to replicate operational urgency.
• Operate breathing apparatus and wear full PPE during practical exercises in conditions of reduced visibility or elevated physical exertion, which requires composure and focus.
• Make rapid decisions and communicate effectively under the simulated stress of an evolving emergency scenario.
• Sustain focus and composure across multiple scenario-based exercises over three consecutive days, including during post-exercise debriefs that may require reflection on performance under pressure.

Learners who have concerns about any of these demands are encouraged to speak with ERGT Australia prior to enrolment.

Behavioural and Safety Demands

All learners are required to:

• Follow facilitator instructions and all safety procedures precisely at all times, particularly during practical emergency response exercises and scenario simulations.
• Actively participate in group exercises and scenario-based activities, including fulfilling assigned emergency response roles throughout scenarios.
• Maintain clear and effective communication with team members and facilitators during all practical activities.
• Adhere to ERGT Australia's site safety rules and all applicable safety protocols throughout the course.
• Report any health, fitness, or equipment concerns to the facilitator before or immediately during a session.
• Behave professionally and respectfully toward all participants and facilitators throughout the course.

Learners must have basic Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital (LLND) skills sufficient to understand safety procedures, participate in group exercises, and complete knowledge and practical assessments. Learners must be able to access and navigate a digital device to log in and access course materials. Support is available on request contact ERGT Australia to discuss your needs.