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

PUAFIR302B Mapping and Delivery Guide
Suppress urban fire

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency PUAFIR302B - Suppress urban fire
Description This unit covers the competency required to work as a member of a team under limited supervision when suppressing an urban fire. 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 required to suppress a range of different types of structure and non-structure fires and where there is the potential for multiple hazards to be present.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites HLTFA311A Apply first aidPUAFIR203B Respond to urban fire
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: Initiate response to fire
  • Fire details are received and the initial response is determined in accordance with the organisation's procedures
  • Firefighting protective clothing and equipment requirements are determined based on the information available
  • Changes to fire condition are reported and acted upon to determine firefighting tactics
       
Element: Determine extinguishing media and equipment
  • Available static or reticulated water supplies to support firefighting operations are identified and capacity determined
  • Selection of hose and equipment is sufficient to support firefighting operations
  • Extinguishing media are selected according to the type of fire within area of operation
  • Breathing apparatus is used within its safe work limitations in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and the organisation's procedures
       
Element: Determine structural fire behaviour
  • Combustion processes taking place in the structure are determined
  • Tactics for terminating the combustion processes are determined
  • Presence of hazardous materials located in the fire area are identified and appropriate plan of action is determined
       
Element: Protect people
  • Primary and secondary searches are planned, conducted and supported in accordance with the organisation's procedures
  • Appropriate priority and support is allocated to fire rescue and evacuation activities
  • Casualties are treated and/or handed to the care of medical personnel once clear of threat of fire
       
Element: Attack fire
  • Strategies and tactics are prioritised, implemented and monitored in accordance with the organisation's procedures
  • Firefighting extinguishing media are selected according to the type of fire, and to the actual or potential hazards identified within the area of operations
  • The fire is located and access to the fire is gained in the safest and most effective manner to minimise damage to property or the risk of injury to others or self
  • Potential fire behaviour is anticipated and action taken to protect the safety of self and others and to achieve the determined strategies
  • Breathing apparatus procedures are conducted in accordance with the organisation's requirements
  • Fire is attacked using a range of extinguishing media and application techniques appropriate to the type and size of fire in accordance with the manufacturers' specifications and the organisation's procedures
  • Evidence of fire cause is protected and action taken in accordance with the organisation's procedures
  • Firefighting suppression activities maximise the use of the extinguishing media in containing the spread of fire and minimise damage to property and the environment in accordance with the organisation's procedures
  • Burning and smouldering material is identified and extinguished in accordance with the organisation's requirements
  • Communication is maintained and monitored throughout firefighting operations in accordance with the organisation's procedures
  • Firefighting ancillary activities are undertaken to avoid or minimise the risk of environmental damage
       
Element: Ventilate structure
  • Structures are ventilated where required, using the most appropriate natural and mechanical ventilation techniques as outlined in the organisation's procedures
  • Structures are ventilated without endangering personnel or increasing the spread of fire in accordance with the organisation's procedures
       
Element: Observe and react to fire conditions
  • Fire is continually monitored and significant changes affecting the status of the fire and the effectiveness of selected firefighting strategies are reported in accordance with the organisation's procedures
  • Firefighting strategies and tactics are modified and adjusted according to the changing conditions at the fire and as directed by the supervisor
       
Element: Undertake ancillary firefighting operations
  • Firefighting and ancillary activities undertaken at the incident avoid or minimise the risk of injury to the public, other personnel and self
  • Salvage and overhaul activities are undertaken to support the conclusion of firefighting operations in accordance with the organisation's procedures
       
Element: Complete operations
  • Equipment is made up and made ready for operational use in accordance with the organisation's procedures
  • Damaged or missing equipment is replaced, recorded and/or reported in accordance with the organisation's procedures
       


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:

work effectively in a team

recognise fire behaviour and the impact of firefighting tactics

conduct firefighting operations in accordance with organisational safe work practices

apply strategies and tactics such as rescue, exposures, confinement, extinguishment, overhaul, ventilation and salvage

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 simulated environment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

range of controlled or simulated fires

firefighting equipment

breathing apparatus control equipment

extinguishing media

Method of assessment

This unit may be assessed with the following unit/s:

PUALAW001B Protect and preserve incident scene

PUATEA002B Work autonomously

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 a range of extinguishing media to fire

apply natural and mechanical ventilation techniques to structures

control fire environment by cooling fire gases

operate a range of firefighting equipment

operate breathing apparatus

undertake salvage and overhaul

work as a member of a team to attack and extinguish fire

Required Knowledge

appropriate procedures for breathing apparatus control

fire behaviour and the factors which impact on its spread

firefighting media and their suitability for the different classes of fire

firefighting strategies and methods of attack for extinguishing fire in a range of structures

personal protective clothing and equipment (including breathing apparatus) requirements

procedures for reporting and recording incident details

use of ventilation techniques, including:

assisting in fire suppression activities

facilitating evacuation of occupants

maximizing visibility within a structure

minimizing damage

preventing a build up of toxic or explosive atmospheres

providing clean air

use of firefighting equipment and application techniques

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.

Fire must include:

fires involving electricity

industrial complex

mobile property fires

multi-storey structures

structure and non-structure fires

and may also include:

fires involving fuels and chemicals

ship fires

Personal protective clothing and equipment must include:

breathing apparatus

chemical protective clothing

distress alarms

structural fire protective clothing

Reporting of changes to fire condition may include:

initial reports at scene

reports of achievement during firefighting (e.g. completion of rescue, fire under control etc.)

reports of significant changes in conditions

situation reports (sitreps)

status reports

Firefighting tactics must include:

cooling the fuels

interrupting the chemical chain reaction

removing fuels

excluding oxygen

ventilation

Firefighting considerations must include:

available firefighting resources

extinguishing media

fire exposures

signs of structural collapse

size of fire

topography

type of fire

weather

Equipment must include:

branches, nozzles and monitors

breathing apparatus and control equipment

fire extinguishers

forcible entry tools

hand tools

hoses and hose fittings

ladders and rope lines

portable lighting

radios

salvage gear

small gear and ancillary equipment

stand-pipes, hydrants and booster connections

ventilation equipment

Extinguishing media must include:

water

extinguishing powders

vaporising liquids

foams

gaseous extinguishing agents

Combustion processes must include:

spontaneous heating combustion and ignition

Hazardous materials must include:

those defined by the Australian Dangerous Goods Code

and may also include

other fire extinguishing substances

Firefighting strategies must include:

rescuing occupants

protecting exposures

confining the spread of fire

extinguishment

salvage and overhaul

ventilation

finding evidence of fire cause

Access may include:

forcible entry

normal entry

roof access from ladders and/or aerial appliance

Application techniques must include:

defensive mode

offensive mode

direct attack

indirect attack

direction of attack

Firefighting suppression activities must include:

locating and accessing the fire

search and rescue

anticipation of fire behaviour

ensuring safety

applying extinguishing media

applying techniques to maximise the effect and minimise the damage

identifying evidence of fire cause

Damage to the environment may include:

air pollution

hazards to flora and fauna

soil pollution

water pollution

Ancillary activities may include:

draining water run-off

guarding against hazards

making-up equipment

overhaul

patrol

protecting the ignition site

securing the area

supply of materials

Structures to be ventilated must include:

residential

commercial

mulit-storey

unfenestrated

and may also include:

high-rise buildings

mobile structures (i.e. road, rail, aviation and marine vehicles)

Ventilation techniques must include:

horizontal

hydraulic

mechanical

natural

vertical

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
Fire details are received and the initial response is determined in accordance with the organisation's procedures 
Firefighting protective clothing and equipment requirements are determined based on the information available 
Changes to fire condition are reported and acted upon to determine firefighting tactics 
Available static or reticulated water supplies to support firefighting operations are identified and capacity determined 
Selection of hose and equipment is sufficient to support firefighting operations 
Extinguishing media are selected according to the type of fire within area of operation 
Breathing apparatus is used within its safe work limitations in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and the organisation's procedures 
Combustion processes taking place in the structure are determined 
Tactics for terminating the combustion processes are determined 
Presence of hazardous materials located in the fire area are identified and appropriate plan of action is determined 
Primary and secondary searches are planned, conducted and supported in accordance with the organisation's procedures 
Appropriate priority and support is allocated to fire rescue and evacuation activities 
Casualties are treated and/or handed to the care of medical personnel once clear of threat of fire 
Strategies and tactics are prioritised, implemented and monitored in accordance with the organisation's procedures 
Firefighting extinguishing media are selected according to the type of fire, and to the actual or potential hazards identified within the area of operations 
The fire is located and access to the fire is gained in the safest and most effective manner to minimise damage to property or the risk of injury to others or self 
Potential fire behaviour is anticipated and action taken to protect the safety of self and others and to achieve the determined strategies 
Breathing apparatus procedures are conducted in accordance with the organisation's requirements 
Fire is attacked using a range of extinguishing media and application techniques appropriate to the type and size of fire in accordance with the manufacturers' specifications and the organisation's procedures 
Evidence of fire cause is protected and action taken in accordance with the organisation's procedures 
Firefighting suppression activities maximise the use of the extinguishing media in containing the spread of fire and minimise damage to property and the environment in accordance with the organisation's procedures 
Burning and smouldering material is identified and extinguished in accordance with the organisation's requirements 
Communication is maintained and monitored throughout firefighting operations in accordance with the organisation's procedures 
Firefighting ancillary activities are undertaken to avoid or minimise the risk of environmental damage 
Structures are ventilated where required, using the most appropriate natural and mechanical ventilation techniques as outlined in the organisation's procedures 
Structures are ventilated without endangering personnel or increasing the spread of fire in accordance with the organisation's procedures 
Fire is continually monitored and significant changes affecting the status of the fire and the effectiveness of selected firefighting strategies are reported in accordance with the organisation's procedures 
Firefighting strategies and tactics are modified and adjusted according to the changing conditions at the fire and as directed by the supervisor 
Firefighting and ancillary activities undertaken at the incident avoid or minimise the risk of injury to the public, other personnel and self 
Salvage and overhaul activities are undertaken to support the conclusion of firefighting operations in accordance with the organisation's procedures 
Equipment is made up and made ready for operational use in accordance with the organisation's procedures 
Damaged or missing equipment is replaced, recorded and/or reported in accordance with the organisation's procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PUAFIR302B - Suppress 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

PUAFIR302B - Suppress 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: