This unit describes the outcomes required to detect smoke and fire in forest environments, maintain communication with fire command or control and to record information using required formats and conventions. Detection can take place in all types and locations commonly found in forested and grassland country as well as in towers and aircraft.

The unit applies to Forestry Worker, Mobile Equipment Operator, Chainsaw Operator.

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

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. If a specific volume or frequency is not stated below, then evidence must be provided that the following requirements have been performed on at least one occasion:

follow organisational policies and procedures relevant to detecting fires

locate and identify on a map or plan the current position of a fire from the field or air

note and report sighting details, including estimated distances, in the required formats and conventions including:

track the progression of the fire using landmarks and maps

make initial and ongoing reports of fire activity

maintain a chronological log of fire activity and meteorological measurements

complete a basic accurate report on fire detecting processes and outcomes.

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

smoke types, colour and meaning

map types and features, common scales used on maps and plans, and methods for their use and manipulation

terrain and geographical features visible from a tower or aircraft

procedures for measuring and recording meteorological data

precautions to be taken in extreme weather conditions

fire command or control conventions for recording and reporting fire sightings in an emergency situation

organisational policies and procedures specific to detecting fires:

communication reporting lines

recording and reporting fires

emergency evacuation

The following resources must be made available:

communication equipment used to relay information

documents, spreadsheets and commonly used proformas for recording and reporting fires

relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information

organisational policies and procedures for recording and reporting fires.

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must:

hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and

be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and

be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.

Not Applicable

Forest Growing and Management