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

PUAFIR321 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Operate heavy plant in fire control operations

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency PUAFIR321 - Operate heavy plant in fire control operations
Description This unit covers the competency required to apply heavy plant operation skills to the specific circumstances of fire operations including fire control line construction; clearing vehicle turnarounds, passing bays and safety zones; and constructing helipads in forest and/or scrub environments. 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 operate machines and will be directed to undertake a range of tasks to support fire operations, such as fire control line construction and clearing for vehicle turnarounds and helipads.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
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: Use and service machines
  • Machine is set up, maintained and serviced to ensure safe operation in forest environments and that it is free of soil and water borne disease and weeds, prior to and after use.
  • Effective communication is established with supervisor, team members and support vehicle/s.
  • Safe procedures are employed when using the machine to construct a fire control line.
  • Machine is parked safely and securely when not in operation.
  • Personal protective clothing and equipment are worn and used in accordance with agency requirements.
       
Element: Construct fire control line
  • Topographical and vegetation factors are considered when selecting a route for construction of a fire control line.
  • Environmental, agricultural,cultural and heritage factors are considered when selecting a route for construction of fire control line.
  • Fire control line is constructed directly on the fire’s edge or away from the fire’s edge taking into account weather conditions and/or changes in fire behaviour to meet fire suppression requirements.
  • Hazards are identified and considered when selecting route and construction of fire control line.
  • Debris from fire control line construction is appropriately placed to facilitate fire suppression works and reduce environmental impacts.
  • Fire control line is constructed to standards suitable for fire control purposes and for vehicle access as required.
  • Turning areas, passing bays and safety zones are constructed as directed.
       
Element: Prepare, mop-up and rehabilitate area
  • Helipads are constructed as required.
  • Fire preparation works are conducted to specified standards.
  • Mop-up works are conducted to specified standards in coordination with crews.
  • Rehabilitation works are conducted to specified standards.
       


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:

construct a fire control line in forest and/or scrub environments

construct a fire control line adjacent to and at a distance from, live fire edge

effectively and efficiently select routes for fire control line construction

effectively cooperate with support vehicles

effectively communicate with supervisor and other members of the team

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time; some performance criteria may be performed in a simulated wildfire environment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in an operational environment or in a field-based simulated environment; Element 2 should be assessed in a forest and/or scrub environment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

machinery

communications equipment

support personnel

Method of assessment

Assessment should be conducted by direct observation in either the workplace (through recorded subject matter supervision and/or mentoring) or the training environment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-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

communicate effectively orally

maintain and service machines in a non-fire environment

operate machines in a non-fire environment

Required Knowledge

burn-over survival techniques

capabilities of support vehicle teams

environmental factors relevant to fire control operations

machine capabilities and limitations

machine design and safety features

machine maintenance requirements in a fireground environment

organisational operating procedures (relevant to machine operations)

wildfire control tactics and 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.

Machines may include:

bulldozer

excavator

front end loader

skidder

Safe procedures may include:

applying safe work practices

assisting vehicles and personnel working with machines

communicating with fire control line supervisors and support vehicles

maintaining contact and cooperation with support vehicles

position in relation to live fire edge and fire intensity

survival techniques in burn over situations

wearing appropriate personal protective equipment

wearing seatbelts in the cabin

working within the limits of machine capability

Topographical and vegetation factors may include:

density and condition of vegetation adjacent to fire control line

proximity of hazardous trees

proximity to and crossing of, drainage lines and creeks

rockiness of terrain

soil type

steepness of terrain

Environmental factors may include:

presence of species sensitive to disturbance

presence of or sensitivity to, environmental diseases or weeds that may be spread by machines

protection of flora and fauna habitat

rock outcrops and caves

reference/research areas

soil disturbance and erosion

water quality

Agricultural factors may include:

access tracks

crops

dams/waterways (affected by erosion)

fences

pastures

stock

Cultural and heritage factors may include:

aboriginal sites

historic sites

structures and earthworks

Hazards may include:

falling trees and branches

heat, dust, smoke

hot ash

power lines

roads

rock outcrops and caves

structures

Standards may include:

construction of one-way tracks (down-hill only)

cross-slope limitations

dimensions of vehicle turnarounds, passing bays and safety zones

dispersal of material by not creating windrows

distance between turnarounds

steepness limitations

trafficability for vehicles required to use fire control line

width of fire control line

Preparation and mop-up may include:

breaking up burning heaps

clearing vegetation from around trees

dimensions and/or standard of construction of helipads

providing access for fire crews

pushing material into the burnt area

scrub rolling

Rehabilitation works may include:

breach and barring tracks

breaking up heaps and mounds

dragging material over fire control line

removing material from creek and drainage lines

ripping compacted areas

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
Machine is set up, maintained and serviced to ensure safe operation in forest environments and that it is free of soil and water borne disease and weeds, prior to and after use. 
Effective communication is established with supervisor, team members and support vehicle/s. 
Safe procedures are employed when using the machine to construct a fire control line. 
Machine is parked safely and securely when not in operation. 
Personal protective clothing and equipment are worn and used in accordance with agency requirements. 
Topographical and vegetation factors are considered when selecting a route for construction of a fire control line. 
Environmental, agricultural,cultural and heritage factors are considered when selecting a route for construction of fire control line. 
Fire control line is constructed directly on the fire’s edge or away from the fire’s edge taking into account weather conditions and/or changes in fire behaviour to meet fire suppression requirements. 
Hazards are identified and considered when selecting route and construction of fire control line. 
Debris from fire control line construction is appropriately placed to facilitate fire suppression works and reduce environmental impacts. 
Fire control line is constructed to standards suitable for fire control purposes and for vehicle access as required. 
Turning areas, passing bays and safety zones are constructed as directed. 
Helipads are constructed as required. 
Fire preparation works are conducted to specified standards. 
Mop-up works are conducted to specified standards in coordination with crews. 
Rehabilitation works are conducted to specified standards. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PUAFIR321 - Operate heavy plant in fire control 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

PUAFIR321 - Operate heavy plant in fire control 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: