Assessor Resource

PUAFIR511
Conduct complex prescribed burns

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit applies to personnel responsible for preparing, conducting and evaluating simple and complex prescribed burns on public and private land.

This unit covers the competency required to prepare and conduct complex prescribed burns in accordance with approved burn plans.

A prescribed burn is the controlled application of fire under specified environmental conditions to a predetermined area and at the time, intensity and rate of spread required to attain planned resource management objectives.

An approved prescribed burn plan includes a map identifying the area to be burned, and incorporates the specifications and conditions under which the operation is to be conducted.

Complex prescribed burns are characterised by moderate to high risk, a range of fire intensity, medium to large areas, significant potential impact on assets and involve a variety of fuels and terrain.

The burn operation may involve a large number of resources requiring the establishment of a formal management and support structure. It may require several separate ignitions (ground and/or aerial), possibly over several days. It may have a number of high value assets requiring complex protection actions.

Compliance with legislative or regulatory requirements will be required.

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

Prerequisites

PUAFIR303B Suppress wildfire

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.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

implement a complex burn plan for a designated area

conduct an effective operational briefing and debriefing

conduct an effective burn, utilising the appropriate resources and record actions taken

conclude activities once the burn is completed

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated in an operational environment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Evidence collected from undertaking a complex prescribed burn is required.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

complex prescribed burn plans

fire management plans

lighting equipment

suppression equipment

lighting and suppression crews

Method of assessment

In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an agency-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:

direct observation

interviewing the candidate

journals and workplace documentation

third party reports from supervisors

written or oral questions

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

apply fuel sampling methods

apply ignition patterns and techniques

conduct briefings and debriefings

establish control lines for prescribed burns

interpret a complex prescribed burn plan

interpret existing and forecast weather conditions

interpret fire behaviour conditions

manage teams

monitor patrol activities

monitor the burn

plan for contingencies

use fire prediction tools

Required Knowledge

fire prediction tools and their use

fuel sampling methods

ignition patterns and techniques

legislative and organisational policy and procedures for conducting a prescribed burn

legislative, regulatory and organisational authorisations required for conducting a burn

procedures for monitoring prescribed burns and securing burn

resource requirements

safe work practices

seasonal restrictions on prescribed burns

types of prescribed burns

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.

Simple burnmay be characterised by:

completed in one shift

involves minimal variation of fuels and terrain

low intensity

low potential impact on assets

low risk

small area

Complex burn may be characterisedby:

involvement of a variety of fuels and terrain

medium to large areas

moderate to high risk

range of fire intensity

significant potential impact on assets

Burn operations must include:

simple burns

complex burns

Contingency planmay include:

command structure

dealing with escapes

resource requirements

safety considerations (such as escape routes and safety zones) resource breakdowns

special resources/secondary control lines

wind changes

Local conditions at the time

of burnmay include:

actual or anticipated changes in conditions

weather conditions (temperature, relative humidity, wind, atmospheric stability, drought index, weather forecasts, fire danger index)

Burn notificationsmay include:

verbal notification

written notification

Person/s or organisations may include:

People or organisations who:

may have adjacent land to which a burn could spread

have an interest in managing the consequences of a burn

have an interest in specific assets

have an interest in the area to be burned

may be concerned by evidence of a burn

Resource requirementsmay include:

contingency resources

crews for aircraft ground support

crews for control and suppression

crews for ground ignition

equipment and supplies

logistical support

navigators, bombardiers for aerial ignition

tankers

other vehicles

Assetsmay include:

area of rare or sensitive flora and fauna

buildings

camps or recreational areas

crops

cultural values

historic relics

machinery

other property

plantations

research plots, reference areas

utilities (power and telephone lines, water supply structures,

communications towers)

Weather conditionsmust include:

relative humidity

temperature

wind

Lighting techniques and

patternsmay include:

contour lighting

echelon

grid

line

multi-line

spot

Lighting sequence may include:

fuel hazard

slope

time of day

wind direction

Monitoring burnmay include:

fire development and spread

flame height

fuel moisture content

observations

predictions

rate of spread

recording

safety consideration

smoke development

weather observation

Conclusion and burn security activitiesmay include:

mitigating hazards for public safety such as checking trees for falling limbs

mopping-up/blacking out

patrolling burn area

reopening roads

Outcomes of the burnmay include:

achievement of burn objectives

escapes

external impacts

levels of scorch

percentage of area burnt

Restoration and rehabilitation worksmay include:

restoring areas disturbed by machinery

control lines

repairing fences

re-vegetation of damaged areas

vehicle tracks

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
Simple and complex burn operations are identified in accordance with organisational procedures, legislative and regulatory requirements. 
Contingency plan is reviewed based on local conditions at the time of burn and communicated to all personnel. 
Permits are obtained in accordance with organisational procedures, legislative and regulatory requirements. 
Burn notifications and plans are issued to person/s or organisations in accordance with organisational procedures and legislative requirements. 
Resourcerequirements are identified with reference to burn plan. 
Control lines are specified and prepared in accordance with organisational procedures. 
Assets are protectedin accordance with organisational procedures. 
Required preparatory hazard mitigation and asset protection works programs are carried out in line with the plan. 
Weather conditions are monitored. 
Day of burn notifications are issued. 
Pre burn checks are conducted. 
Resources are gathered and personnel briefed and deployed in accordance with burn plan. 
Lightingtechniques, patterns and lighting sequence are implemented in accordance with plan or organisational procedures. 
Burning is monitored to ensure safety and operational changes are made as required. 
Contingencies are implemented in accordance with burn plan as required for the duration of the burn. 
Burn records are kept in accordance with organisational procedures. 
Burn operations are concluded and burn security is implemented in accordance with organisational requirements. 
Crews are debriefed and resources released from the burn. 
Incidents are reported and investigated in accordance with organisational procedures. 
Outcomes of the burn are assessed and reported. 
Variations from burn plan are reported in accordance with organisational procedures. 
Restoration and rehabilitationworks are identified and/or carried out in accordance with organisational requirements. 
Prescribed burn activities are recorded in accordance with organisational procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PUAFIR511 - Conduct complex prescribed burns
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Assessment Record Sheet

PUAFIR511 - Conduct complex prescribed burns

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(add lines for each task)

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