Assessor Resource

PUAFIR204B
Respond to wildfire

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

This unit covers competency for responding to a wildfire when working as a member of a team, under direct supervision.

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

Prerequisites

Prerequisite Unit/s

PUAFIR201B Prevent injury


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




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.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

For this unit it is essential that competence be demonstrated by:

reacting to changing wildfire behaviour due to changes in weather, topography and fuel conditions

participating in dry wildfire control

use of extinguishing media in wildfire control

maintaining health and safety of self, other workers and people in the immediate work area

participating in mop-up and patrol

undertaking operational activities safely

Consistency in performance

Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

A combination of oral or written presentation, observationon the job or in a simulated wildfire (grass, crop, scrub, forest) environment

Specific resources for assessment

access to controlled or contained fires

availability of wildfire control equipment

Guidance information for assessment

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.


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.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

use of wildfire control tools and equipment

undertaking dry and wet wildfire attack

detection of hot spots, stags, unsecured wildfire perimeter

Required Knowledge

fire behaviour

extinguishing media, water, foam, suppressants

knapsack

operating firefighting equipment

responding to wildfire

wildfire control tactics and techniques

wildfire hazards, safety techniques

fuel load, moisture content of fuel, topography, fireground signals

organisation's operating procedures

effects of wildfire on structures

awareness of health and fitness requirements

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Types of wildfire must include

ground, surface, crown

Types of fuel may include

grass

crop

forest

heath plantation

scrub

Fuel features must include

type

size

arrangement/distribution

quantity

moisture content

topography

local fire conditions

Weather factors must include

variations to wind speed and direction

relative humidity

temperature

atmospheric stability

Wildfire extinguishing media must include

water

and may also include

wetting agent

Class A foam

fire suppressants (short and long term)

earth

retardants

Wildfire extinguishing equipment must include

tanker

hand tools

hose and small gear

pump

and may also include

aircraft

ropes and lines

knap sack

chainsaw

Types of firefighting strategies must include

offensive strategy

defensive strategy

flank attack

combined strategy

direct attack

parallel attack

indirect attack

combination attack

Wildfire hazards must include

heat related illness

fatigue

smoke inhalation

burns

sprain or fracture

snake or insect bite

falling branches/trees

manual handling

trips/falls

disorientation

environmental

lack of visibility

water bombing operations

Variations in topography must include

elevation

slope

aspect

landscape features

Access may be gained by

vehicle

aircraft

boat

foot

Information about access must be received by

radio/phone

personal contact

and may also include

map reference

Personal protective clothing and equipment must include

turnout uniform and gloves

eye protection

hearing protection

respiratory protection

and may also include

protective hoods

accessories as per organisational standards

Ancillary activities may include

provision/transportation of food, water and equipment for an incident

working with earth moving equipment such as bulldozer, grader, tractor with blade

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
The location of fire and the most effective route to the fire are obtained taking into account local conditions 
Protective clothing and equipment, food and fluid requirements are identified and relevant preparations undertaken prior to departure 
The location of the fire is confirmed on approach 
Access to the area is gained with minimum injury to personnel or damage to vehicles, equipment or the environment 
Evidence of fire cause is noted and brought to the attention of the supervisor 
Nominated media and equipment are located and obtained 
Equipment is used to deliver the nominated media in accordance with the organisation's and manufacturer's procedures 
Instructions are received, confirmed and implemented in accordance with the organisation's safe work practices and procedures 
Equipment and extinguishing media used are appropriate to wildfire conditions 
Control lines are prepared in accordance with the organisation's procedures 
Equipment is positioned, made ready for use and protected from damage in accordance with the organisation's procedures 
Fire is attacked taking into account wildfire hazards as directed and in accordance with the organisation's procedures 
Evidence of fire cause and area of fire origin are protected 
Communication is maintained at all times in accordance with the organisation's procedures 
Conditions at the fire are observed and their effect on fire behaviour and development are noted and reported to supervisor 
Weather conditions and changes to fire behaviour are observed and reported to the supervisor 
Variations in terrain, fuel types and fuel arrangements are observed and the effect on fire behaviour is reported to the supervisor as required 
A safe escape route or refuge is identified and maintained at all times 
Communication is maintained with other firefighting personnel and the supervisor throughout operational activities 
Mopping-up activities are carried out under direction in accordance with the organisation's procedures 
Patrol of the perimeter or sector of the fire is maintained in accordance with the organisation's procedures 
Activities to complement firefighting operations are carried out as directed and according to the organisation's procedure 
Equipment and consumables are recovered as directed 
Equipment is stored in accordance with the organisation's procedures 
Cleaning and maintenance are carried out in accordance with the organisation's procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PUAFIR204B - Respond to wildfire
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

PUAFIR204B - Respond to wildfire

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: