Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

PUAFIR203B Mapping and Delivery Guide
Respond to urban fire

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency PUAFIR203B - Respond to urban fire
Description This unit covers the competency for responding to an urban fire where offensive and defensive strategies are used, when working as a member of a team, under direct supervision.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to personnel who work as a member of a team. Work at this level is undertaken under direct supervision and instruction.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites PUAFIR207B Operate breathing apparatus open circuit
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Proceed to fire
  • Information received about the location and type of fire is recorded in accordance with organisational requirements.
  • Appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment is donned in accordance with organisational procedures.
  • Most effective route to the fire is identified.
       
Element: Prepare extinguishing media and/or equipment for use
  • Water supplies at the incident to support firefighting are located.
  • Equipment to access and supply water to the firefighting operations is identified and assembled in accordance with organisational procedures.
  • Nominated extinguishing media and/or equipment is identified, obtained and/or accessed.
  • Extinguishing media and equipment are used in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and organisational procedures.
       
Element: Enter the structure
  • Hazards are identified, monitored and controlled in accordance with organisational procedures.
  • Personal protective clothing selected is appropriate to the hazards.
  • Organisational breathing apparatus (BA) procedures and safe work practices are followed.
  • Structure is entered in accordance with organisational procedures and safety practices.
  • Safe paths of access and egress are identified and maintained at all times.
  • Life is protected and damage to property and the environment is minimised in accordance with organisational procedures.
       
Element: Conduct search and rescue
  • Systematic primary and secondary searches are conducted.
  • Rooms are searched and marked in accordance with organisational procedures.
  • Casualties are located, assisted and rescued in accordance with organisational procedures.
  • Fatalities are located and protected in accordance with organisational procedures and relevant legislation.
  • All persons are accounted for and information is communicated to Incident Controller.
       
Element: Combat fires
  • Personal safety is maintained at all times in accordance with organisational procedures and workplace health and safety guidelines.
  • Organisational firefighting objectives, strategies and tactics are received, confirmed and implemented as directed.
  • Firefighting considerations are taken into account when implementing tactics.
  • Equipment and extinguishing media used to combat the fire are appropriate to the class of fire and support operational procedures.
  • Firefighting equipment is positioned to achieve maximum effect in suppressing the fire, protecting exposures and preserving evidence of fire cause.
  • Extinguishing media is applied using appropriate application techniques.
  • Fire suppression techniques applied minimise hazards to occupants trapped or lost within the structure.
  • Communications with other team members and supervisor are maintained throughout the incident.
       
Element: Observe and react to changes in conditions and fire behaviour
  • Changing conditions at the fire are observed and their effects on fire behaviour are noted and reported.
  • Evidence of changing conditions at the fire are reported
  • Firefighting tactics are adapted to meet changing conditions and fire behaviour.
       
Element: Participate in ancillary operations
  • Ancillary activities to complement firefighting operations and prevent further damage to the structure and its contents are undertaken.
  • Water run off from fire is monitored and conditions reported to supervisor.
  • Risk and/or damage to the environment at the incident is minimised or avoided through appropriate firefightingand ancillaryactivities.
       
Element: Conclude firefighting operations
  • Firefighting equipment is collected and stowed at the incident.
  • Incident scene is made safe for the public.
  • Defective or missing equipment is identified and reported.
  • Assistance is given to complete and recordappropriateincident information.
       


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:

identify different construction types and their behaviour in fire

identify signs of structural collapse

apply firefighting tactics

select and use appropriate personal protective clothing

select and use firefighting equipment

implement actions in the workplace to avoid the risk of injury

implement BA procedures

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed on-the-job and/or in a range of simulated environments.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

range of controlled or simulated fires

firefighting equipment

extinguishing media

Breathing apparatus and associated equipment

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, assignment, 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 extinguishing media to the fire

control fire environment by cooling fire gases

implement search and rescue procedures

move in smoke and darkness

obtain water from reticulated/static water supplies

operate a branch

operate a fire extinguisher

use BA and BA equipment

use structural entry techniques

Required Knowledge

BA procedures

basic signs of fire cause and activities for protecting evidence

behaviour of a building/structure in a fire

extinguishing media

fire behaviour

fire ground signals (audible and visual)

fire tetrahedron

firefighting foams

firefighting tactics, techniques, and procedures

hazards

identification of various building types including structural elements and materials, causes and signs of structural failure

map reading

methods of heat transfer

natural ventilation procedures

organisational procedures

portable fire extinguishers

principles and methods of extinguishment

procedures for working with ladders, ropes, lines and tying knots

safe work practices

salvage and overhaul

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 fire must include:

fires involving dangerous goods and/or hazardous substances

mobile property

non-structures

structures

Personal protective clothing and equipment must include:

breathing apparatus

eye protection

hearing protection

turnout uniform and gloves

Water supplies must include:

open

reticulated

static

Equipment must include:

BA and control equipment

branches, nozzles and monitors

fire extinguishers

forcible entry tools

hoses and hose fittings

ladders and rope lines

portable lights

radios

salvage gear

standpipes, hydrants and booster connections

small gear and ancillary equipment

and may also include:

other fire extinguishing substances

Extinguishing media must include:

extinguishing powder

foam

gaseous extinguishing agents

water

Hazards may include:

electricity, including photovoltaic generation

gas

hazardous products and materials

industrial (machinery, equipment, products)

smoke, darkness and heat

structural collapse

structural hazards

unauthorised personnel

Assisted may include:

first aid

handing over to ambulance, medical care or other organisation

protecting from the elements

providing refreshments

Firefighting objectives must include:

confining the spread of fire

extinguishment

protecting exposures

rescuing occupants

salvage and overhaul

ventilation

Fire strategies must include:

defensive mode

direct attack

indirect attack

offensive mode

Firefighting tactics must include:

cooling the fuels

excluding oxygen

interrupting the chemical chain reaction

removing fuels

ventilation

Firefighting considerations must include:

available firefighting resources

extinguishing media

fire exposures

indications of extreme fire behaviour

signs of structural collapse

size of fire

stage of fire development

topography

type of fire

weather

Firefighting activities must include:

anticipating fire behaviour

applying extinguishing media

applying techniques to maximise the effect and minimise the damage

ensuring safety

hose stream techniques

locating and accessing the fire

protecting and notifying supervisor of evidence of fire cause

search and rescue

Changing conditions at the fire may include:

increase/decrease in fuel available to fire

increase/decrease in heat of fire

increase/decrease in oxygen available to fire

impending structural collapse

other materials becoming involved in fire

fire spread

flame colour and size

increase in heat

signs of structural collapse

smoke colour

weather conditions

Evidence of changing conditions at the fire may include:

fire spread

flame colour and size

increase in heat

signs of structural collapse

smoke colour

weather conditions

Ancillary activities may include:

damming water run off

guarding against hazards

making-up equipment

overhaul

salvage

securing the area

ventilation

Recording appropriate incident information must include:

recording information in accordance with organisational requirements

and may also include:

attendance records

completing personal notebooks logs and/or report forms

equipment used

objectives set

owner/occupant details

problems encountered

strategies and tactics

values

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
Information received about the location and type of fire is recorded in accordance with organisational requirements. 
Appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment is donned in accordance with organisational procedures. 
Most effective route to the fire is identified. 
Water supplies at the incident to support firefighting are located. 
Equipment to access and supply water to the firefighting operations is identified and assembled in accordance with organisational procedures. 
Nominated extinguishing media and/or equipment is identified, obtained and/or accessed. 
Extinguishing media and equipment are used in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and organisational procedures. 
Hazards are identified, monitored and controlled in accordance with organisational procedures. 
Personal protective clothing selected is appropriate to the hazards. 
Organisational breathing apparatus (BA) procedures and safe work practices are followed. 
Structure is entered in accordance with organisational procedures and safety practices. 
Safe paths of access and egress are identified and maintained at all times. 
Life is protected and damage to property and the environment is minimised in accordance with organisational procedures. 
Systematic primary and secondary searches are conducted. 
Rooms are searched and marked in accordance with organisational procedures. 
Casualties are located, assisted and rescued in accordance with organisational procedures. 
Fatalities are located and protected in accordance with organisational procedures and relevant legislation. 
All persons are accounted for and information is communicated to Incident Controller. 
Personal safety is maintained at all times in accordance with organisational procedures and workplace health and safety guidelines. 
Organisational firefighting objectives, strategies and tactics are received, confirmed and implemented as directed. 
Firefighting considerations are taken into account when implementing tactics. 
Equipment and extinguishing media used to combat the fire are appropriate to the class of fire and support operational procedures. 
Firefighting equipment is positioned to achieve maximum effect in suppressing the fire, protecting exposures and preserving evidence of fire cause. 
Extinguishing media is applied using appropriate application techniques. 
Fire suppression techniques applied minimise hazards to occupants trapped or lost within the structure. 
Communications with other team members and supervisor are maintained throughout the incident. 
Changing conditions at the fire are observed and their effects on fire behaviour are noted and reported. 
Evidence of changing conditions at the fire are reported 
Firefighting tactics are adapted to meet changing conditions and fire behaviour. 
Ancillary activities to complement firefighting operations and prevent further damage to the structure and its contents are undertaken. 
Water run off from fire is monitored and conditions reported to supervisor. 
Risk and/or damage to the environment at the incident is minimised or avoided through appropriate firefightingand ancillaryactivities. 
Firefighting equipment is collected and stowed at the incident. 
Incident scene is made safe for the public. 
Defective or missing equipment is identified and reported. 
Assistance is given to complete and recordappropriateincident information. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PUAFIR203B - Respond to urban fire
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

PUAFIR203B - Respond to urban fire

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: