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: 

Perform vehicle rescue operations 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
242855  Perform vehicle rescue operations 
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  4 
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 be able to conduct a vehicle rescue and subsequent extrication of an ill or injured patient.

The learner will enhance their professional capabilities and further their career in the fire and rescue profession as well as emergency services.

On completion of this unit standard learners will be able to:
  • Size up a vehicle rescue incident.
  • Establish scene safety.
  • Stabilise a vehicle.
  • Determine and create access and egress points for rescue.
  • Disentangle and remove victim(s) from a motor vehicle, working as a member of a team.
  • Terminate a vehicle rescue incident. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The learner will be assumed to be competent in the following at 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 
    Where necessary, range statements have been included under specific outcomes, assessment criteria or essential embedded knowledge. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Size up a vehicle rescue incident. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Information required to develop an appropriate action plan is obtained, using all relevant sources. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Information includes:

    Type(s) of vehicle(s), hazards involved in specific incident, incident support operations and resources available.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Number and location of all victims is established whilst observing standard safety procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Resource needs are assessed in line with capability of available resources and incident support operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Search parameters are established according to operational protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    An action plan is formulated and communicated to the rescue team, taking into account all the available information. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Establish scene safety. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Personal protective equipment is designated correctly in line with the requirements of the incident. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Minimum protective equipment includes:
  • Eye and face protection, hand and foot protection.
  • Protective clothing suitable for additional hazards e.g. fire or chemical hazards.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Scene safety zone(s) are established, setting zone perimeters that are consistent with the specific incident requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Establishment of safety zones includes:
  • All traffic control measures.
  • Types of zones and staffing requirements.
  • Organisational standard operating procedures.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Zone boundaries are clearly marked and communicated timeously. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Risks to rescuers and victims are minimised in accordance with industry best practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    All hazards are identified according to type and possible ignition sources. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Identification of hazards includes:
  • Types of fire and explosion hazards
  • Types of flammable and combustible substances
  • Ignition sources.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Appropriate method(s) for hazard mitigation are selected, meeting the requirements of the identified type of hazard. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Control devises and tools are allocated in line with requirements of the selected method(s). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Hazards are isolated or eliminated using the appropriate methods for the hazards identified. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Stabilise a vehicle. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Stabilisation points are selected, ensuring that anticipated entry, exit and tool placement points are not compromised. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The appropriate stabilisation device is selected, and the vehicle is safely and effectively secured. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Vehicle stabilisation and stabilisation equipment is constantly monitored throughout the rescue operation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Determine and create access and egress points for rescue. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Time constraints are dependent on a host of variables, including:
  • The nature and extent of the vehicle rescue operation.
  • Resource limitations.
  • The weather.
  • Topography. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Entry and exit points for victims, rescuers and equipment are appropriately designated, considering all relevant factors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Movement of rescuers and equipment are planned and conducted in a manner that complements victim care and removal. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Access and egress points are selected so as to ensure that vehicle stability is not compromised and the chosen points can be protected. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The techniques chosen are expedient, factoring in time constraints and affording maximum protection to victim(s) and rescuer(s). 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Disentangle and remove victim(s) from a motor vehicle, working as a member of a team. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Tools and equipment are selected and their purposes explained in line with the requirements of a range of different typical contexts. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment includes:
  • The selection of powered and hand tools that the learner can reasonably be expected to encounter within any emergency service that provides a vehicle rescue service.
  • Electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and alternative entry and exit equipment.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Tools and equipment are used safely and efficiently in accordance with standard operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Disentanglement is effected, ensuring that undue injury to victim(s) is prevented. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Disentanglement requires the displacement, removal, distortion and/or disassembly of components of a motor vehicle. (The guiding principle is "remove the wreck from the patient and not the patient from the wreck".).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Victim protection is provided, using appropriate types of immobilisation, packaging and transfer devices. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The victim is removed without compromising victim packaging, using appropriate handling techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The team effort is co-ordinated in accordance with the organisation's policies and procedures, employing emergency evacuation and safety signals and other agreed communication systems effectively. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Terminate a vehicle rescue incident. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    All rescuers are accounted for and the termination phase is conducted in a manner that affords maximum protection to all personnel. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    All injured parties are handed over to the appropriate agency in accordance with local medical transportation protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    All hazards are mitigated, ensuring scene safety before departure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Scene control is transferred to a responsible party, in line with organisational standard procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Rescue equipment is returned to a state of readiness, in line with industry norms and standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    A critical incident stress debriefing is held, offering referral to the appropriate agency where required. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Appropriate reporting and documentation of the incident is completed, in line with the organisation's requirements. 


    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 requirements and development of action plan.
  • The use of different information gathering techniques.
  • Operational protocols required throughout vehicle rescue incidents.
  • Main features of an incident management system.
  • Fire and explosion control measures.
  • The de-energising, where possible, of vehicle systems such as passive and active restraint devices, alternate fuel systems and pneumatic systems.
  • Types of energy sources, system isolation methods and specialized system features.
  • Types of vehicle and stabilization and disentanglement processes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

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

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

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

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology responsibly
  • By demonstrating the ability to inspect, maintain and use equipment and machinery. 
    		•

    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.