This unit describes the skills required to carry out initial response to suppress a fire that may occur in an open field, building or storage area; and may be located on land, on board a ship at sea or in harbour, in the air; and may occur in the day or night and under any weather conditions. It also includes the ability to identify the nature and classification of the fire, report the fire and carry out evacuation procedures.

This unit applies to those who may be required to provide the initial response to fire. The unit does not cover the competencies needed to become a professional or volunteer firefighter.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

Those undertaking this unit would work independently and as part of a team, under direct and/or indirect supervision, use discretion and judgement, and take responsibility for the quality of their output. They would perform specific tasks in a defined range of contexts.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare for fire response

1.1

Access, interpret and apply procedures related to a fire emergency

1.2

Locate and check fire fighting equipment and refer for maintenance/replacement as required

2

Carry out initial notification and assessment

2.1

Identify and confirm nature and scope of the fire and report to appropriate personnel

2.2

Assess fire situation and determine appropriate course of action

2.3

Notify relevant personnel of fire threat

2.4

Apply emergency evacuation procedures

3

Extinguish fire

3.1

Select appropriate fire extinguishing apparatus and or agent

3.2

Ensure fast knock down of fire using extinguisher at the appropriate range and time

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and includes:

accessing and interpreting local emergency procedures

applying evacuation procedures

identifying emergency alarms and matching with response requirement

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and includes:

basic knowledge of:

local area emergency procedures

principles of fire

types, operations and application of firefighting equipment including extinguishers, hose reels and, where appropriate, monitors

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations. Where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that reflect workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations

acceptable means of simulation assessment

applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

relevant materials, tools, equipment and PPE currently used in industry.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Not applicable.

Explosive Ordnance