Assessor Resource

FWPHAR4204
Plan and coordinate fire salvage operations

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to assess, plan and coordinate salvaging trees of a commercially viable size, immediately after fire in a forest or farm forest setting, before degradation and insect infestation occur. It includes directing tree fellers and trimmers.

The unit applies to Forestry Supervisor, Harvesting Supervisors.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. Prepare for salvage operations

1.1 Analyse workplace health and safety (WHS), environmental and regulatory requirements for fire salvage operations.

1.2 Check and review work order with appropriate personnel.

1.3 Contact local authority and obtain salvage approval.

1.4 Select appropriate equipment for work requirements and check for operational effectiveness in line with manufacturers recommendations.

2. Plan salvage operations

2.1 Determine location using map and grid references, obtain land ownings and establish boundaries

2.2 Investigate and report on topography including slope, elevation, contours and soil type

2.3 Assess environmental conditions and plan site preparation, access and operational activities.

2.4 Plan and instigate environmental protection practices for the landscape, soil and drainage.

2.5 Assess and report on extent of fire damage.

2.6 Estimate and report on commercial viability of tree harvest and extraction.

2.7 Produce and check a written plan for all fire salvage operations.

3. Coordinate salvage operations

3.1 Communicate plans for clearing, trimming and felling operations to harvesting personnel.

3.2 Direct track builders to form access in line with salvage plan.

3.3 Direct and monitor clearing of burnt scrub and dangerous limbs.

3.4 Monitor movement and whereabouts of personnel and modify work in line with WHS requirements.

3.5 Assess tree location and stability for conditions likely to affect safety of felling activities.

3.6 Direct fellers to fall designated trees in line with salvage plan and WHS requirements.

3.7 Monitor use of mechanical equipment to minimise carbon emissions.

3.8 Coordinate haulage of logs from site and ensure landscape is left in a safe and tidy condition to allow regeneration to occur.

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. If a specific volume or frequency is not stated below, then evidence must be provided that the following requirements have been performed on at least one occasion:

follow organisational policies and procedures relevant to planning and coordinating fire salvage operations

estimate and report on the commercial viability of tree harvest and extraction for fire affected sites

plan and coordinate fire salvage operations in line with community expectations and operational requirements

coordinate personnel to follow planning, communications and scheduling for fire salvage operations

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

content and application of applicable commonwealth, state, territory or local government regulations relevant to fire salvage operations

environmental protection practices for forest and farm forest settings affected by fire:

safe disposal of waste material

cleaning of plant, tools and equipment

recycling and re-use of timber with defects

minimising the impact of mechanical equipment on the environment

leaving the site in a safe and tidy condition to allow for regeneration

sustainable forest management, at a basic level of understanding, and the role of salvaging fire affected trees in the recovery of fire damaged forests

key impacts of fire on a forest site and effects on fire salvage operations:

characteristics of burnt trees

how fire has affected stability of trees

what fire has done to underlying scrub

how safe the forest is to enter

environmental hazards and risks to worker safety

key processes in fire salvage operations:

planning and coordinating salvage operations

established chain of command for communication of information and instruction

methods to assess fire damaged trees

harvesting and extraction techniques for fire damaged trees

types of equipment for trimming and felling fire damaged trees; their purpose, features and operation

organisational standards, policies and procedures for the assessment, planning and coordination of fire salvage operations:

workplace health and safety specific to harvesting trees in fire damaged forests

environmental protection

recording and reporting on fire damage and commercial viability of tree harvest

documenting fire salvage plans

The following resources must be made available:

computers and software programs used for documenting fire salvage plans

equipment for trimming and felling fire damaged trees

personal protective equipment suitable for harvesting trees in fire damaged forests

applicable commonwealth, state, territory or local government regulations relevant to fire salvage operations

topographic maps for the site

template reports for and reporting on fire damage and commercial viability of tree harvest

template fire salvage plans

organisational standards, policies and procedures for the assessment, planning and coordination of fire salvage operations

a team of tree fellers and trimmers with whom the individual can interact.

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must:

hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and

be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and

be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. Prepare for salvage operations

1.1 Analyse workplace health and safety (WHS), environmental and regulatory requirements for fire salvage operations.

1.2 Check and review work order with appropriate personnel.

1.3 Contact local authority and obtain salvage approval.

1.4 Select appropriate equipment for work requirements and check for operational effectiveness in line with manufacturers recommendations.

2. Plan salvage operations

2.1 Determine location using map and grid references, obtain land ownings and establish boundaries

2.2 Investigate and report on topography including slope, elevation, contours and soil type

2.3 Assess environmental conditions and plan site preparation, access and operational activities.

2.4 Plan and instigate environmental protection practices for the landscape, soil and drainage.

2.5 Assess and report on extent of fire damage.

2.6 Estimate and report on commercial viability of tree harvest and extraction.

2.7 Produce and check a written plan for all fire salvage operations.

3. Coordinate salvage operations

3.1 Communicate plans for clearing, trimming and felling operations to harvesting personnel.

3.2 Direct track builders to form access in line with salvage plan.

3.3 Direct and monitor clearing of burnt scrub and dangerous limbs.

3.4 Monitor movement and whereabouts of personnel and modify work in line with WHS requirements.

3.5 Assess tree location and stability for conditions likely to affect safety of felling activities.

3.6 Direct fellers to fall designated trees in line with salvage plan and WHS requirements.

3.7 Monitor use of mechanical equipment to minimise carbon emissions.

3.8 Coordinate haulage of logs from site and ensure landscape is left in a safe and tidy condition to allow regeneration to occur.

Not Applicable

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. If a specific volume or frequency is not stated below, then evidence must be provided that the following requirements have been performed on at least one occasion:

follow organisational policies and procedures relevant to planning and coordinating fire salvage operations

estimate and report on the commercial viability of tree harvest and extraction for fire affected sites

plan and coordinate fire salvage operations in line with community expectations and operational requirements

coordinate personnel to follow planning, communications and scheduling for fire salvage operations

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

content and application of applicable commonwealth, state, territory or local government regulations relevant to fire salvage operations

environmental protection practices for forest and farm forest settings affected by fire:

safe disposal of waste material

cleaning of plant, tools and equipment

recycling and re-use of timber with defects

minimising the impact of mechanical equipment on the environment

leaving the site in a safe and tidy condition to allow for regeneration

sustainable forest management, at a basic level of understanding, and the role of salvaging fire affected trees in the recovery of fire damaged forests

key impacts of fire on a forest site and effects on fire salvage operations:

characteristics of burnt trees

how fire has affected stability of trees

what fire has done to underlying scrub

how safe the forest is to enter

environmental hazards and risks to worker safety

key processes in fire salvage operations:

planning and coordinating salvage operations

established chain of command for communication of information and instruction

methods to assess fire damaged trees

harvesting and extraction techniques for fire damaged trees

types of equipment for trimming and felling fire damaged trees; their purpose, features and operation

organisational standards, policies and procedures for the assessment, planning and coordination of fire salvage operations:

workplace health and safety specific to harvesting trees in fire damaged forests

environmental protection

recording and reporting on fire damage and commercial viability of tree harvest

documenting fire salvage plans

The following resources must be made available:

computers and software programs used for documenting fire salvage plans

equipment for trimming and felling fire damaged trees

personal protective equipment suitable for harvesting trees in fire damaged forests

applicable commonwealth, state, territory or local government regulations relevant to fire salvage operations

topographic maps for the site

template reports for and reporting on fire damage and commercial viability of tree harvest

template fire salvage plans

organisational standards, policies and procedures for the assessment, planning and coordination of fire salvage operations

a team of tree fellers and trimmers with whom the individual can interact.

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must:

hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and

be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and

be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Analyse workplace health and safety (WHS), environmental and regulatory requirements for fire salvage operations. 
Check and review work order with appropriate personnel. 
Contact local authority and obtain salvage approval. 
Select appropriate equipment for work requirements and check for operational effectiveness in line with manufacturers recommendations. 
Determine location using map and grid references, obtain land ownings and establish boundaries 
Investigate and report on topography including slope, elevation, contours and soil type 
Assess environmental conditions and plan site preparation, access and operational activities. 
Plan and instigate environmental protection practices for the landscape, soil and drainage. 
Assess and report on extent of fire damage. 
Estimate and report on commercial viability of tree harvest and extraction. 
Produce and check a written plan for all fire salvage operations. 
Communicate plans for clearing, trimming and felling operations to harvesting personnel. 
Direct track builders to form access in line with salvage plan. 
Direct and monitor clearing of burnt scrub and dangerous limbs. 
Monitor movement and whereabouts of personnel and modify work in line with WHS requirements. 
Assess tree location and stability for conditions likely to affect safety of felling activities. 
Direct fellers to fall designated trees in line with salvage plan and WHS requirements. 
Monitor use of mechanical equipment to minimise carbon emissions. 
Coordinate haulage of logs from site and ensure landscape is left in a safe and tidy condition to allow regeneration to occur. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FWPHAR4204 - Plan and coordinate fire salvage operations
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

FWPHAR4204 - Plan and coordinate fire salvage operations

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: