Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assist with prescribed burning for agricultural or natural resource management purposes.
This unit applies to personnel participating in lighting and conducting prescribed burns under direct supervision.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication. However, all units of competency dealing with animals in the AHC Training Package have the requirements for animals to be handled humanely to minimise stress and discomfort.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Assist with preparations for the burn | 1.1 Prepare machinery and equipment for use in the burn 1.2 Check and prepare safety equipment and personal protective equipment 1.3 Read or listen to information about contingency plans and seek clarification where required 1.4 Recognise and note assets requiring protection during the burn 1.5 Check personal role and activities during the burn 1.6 Discuss and clarify location and extent of the burn |
2. Support conduct of burn | 2.1 Provide assistance with pre-burn checks 2.2 Wear personal protective equipment throughout the burn 2.3 Follow work health and safety policies and procedures and enterprise operating procedures throughout the burn 2.4 Identify and maintain a safe escape route at all times 2.5 Raise problems or concerns during the burn with the supervisor 2.6 Maintain communication at all times 2.7 Observe conditions at the fire and note and report their effect on fire behaviour and development 2.8 Observe and report weather conditions and changes to fire behaviour 2.9 Use a fire extinguisher to extinguish fires according to enterprise requirements |
3. Participate in clean-up activities | 3.1 Carry out cleaning-up activities 3.2 Clean and store personal protective equipment, machinery and equipment |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated on at least one occasion.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
prepare machinery and equipment to enterprise requirements before burning
continually monitor weather conditions throughout the burn
use personal protective equipment as required and check, clean and store on completion of the burn
identify appropriate safe escape routes throughout the burn
maintain communication with supervisor and other staff at all times throughout the burn
carry out clean up operations according to supervisor instructions to enterprise standards
apply work health and safety procedures throughout the burn
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must be demonstrate knowledge of:
fire behaviour
extinguishing media and equipment
communication equipment and procedures
burning tactics and techniques
assets that need protecting throughout the burn
fire hazards, safety techniques
organisation’s operating procedures for prescribed burn
contingency plans and emergency procedures for the burn
purpose and use of personal protective equipment
work health and safety policies and procedures relevant to prescribed burning
key concepts of work health and safety and environmental legislative and enterprise requirements
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Fire (FIR)