This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to respond to a wildfire, work as a safe and situationally aware member of a crew to attack and extinguish a fire, participate in mop ups and patrol operations and prepare equipment for the next crew.

The unit applies to firefighting personnel who work as a member of a team. It includes preparing to respond to fire; proceeding to fire; obtaining and using firefighting equipment and extinguishing media; combating wildfire; observing and reacting to wildfire and weather conditions; participating in mop up and patrol activities; supporting operations and recovering and storing equipment. Work at this level is undertaken under direct supervision, and with instruction.

The fire sector is those sections of government departments, statutory authorities or organisations that have responsibility under jurisdictional arrangements for the delivery of firefighting and fire management services.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this 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 to respond to fire

1.1

Information received about the location and type of wildfire is confirmed

1.2

Most effective route to the fire is identified and navigated safely

1.3

Appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment is donned, in accordance with organisational procedures

2

Proceed to fire

2.1

Location of the fire and type of fuel is confirmed on approach

2.2

Life is protected and damage to property and the environment is minimised, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.3

Evidence relevant to fire cause is noted and reported utilising the organisations chain of command, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.4

Indicators of fire behaviour are observed and reported

3

Obtain and use firefighting equipment and extinguishing media

3.1

Nominated extinguishing media and/or firefighting equipment are located and obtained

3.2

Extinguishing media and equipment are used, in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and organisational procedures

4

Combat wildfire

4.1

Instructions are received, firefighting strategies and tactics are confirmed and implemented

4.2

Suppression techniques, equipment and extinguishing media appropriate to wildfire conditions are used

4.3

Control lines are prepared as directed

4.4

Equipment is positioned, made ready for use and protected from damage

4.5

Fire is attacked taking into account wildfire hazards as directed

4.6

Evidence of fire cause and area of fire origin are protected

4.7

Communication is maintained at all times with all personnel

5

Observe and react to wildfire and weather conditions

5.1

Changing conditions at the fire are observed and their effects on fire behaviour are noted and reported

5.2

Weather conditions and changes to fire behaviour are observed and reported

5.3

Variations in topography, fuel features and fuel arrangements are observed and reported

5.4

Escape routes and safety zones are confirmed and maintained throughout the incident

5.5

Communication is maintained with other firefighting personnel throughout operational activities

6

Participate in mopup and patrol activities and support operations

6.1

Mopping up activities are carried out, as directed

6.2

Patrol of the perimeter or sector of the fire is maintained, as directed

6.3

Activities to support firefighting operations are carried out, as directed

7

Recover and store equipment

7.1

Equipment and consumables are recovered, as directed

7.2

Firefighting equipment is collected and stored at the incident

7.3

Cleaning and maintenance are carried out in accordance with organisational procedures

7.4

Damaged or lost equipment is identified and reported

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.

extinguishing media must include two of the following

class A foam

retardants

soil

water

wetting agents

personal protective clothing and equipment must include

eye and head protection

turnout uniform and gloves

types of wildfire must include

surface

types of fuel must include one of the following

forest

grass

scrub

firefighting equipment must include

hand tools

hose and small gear

pump

tanker

firefighting tactics must include

control line construction

mopping up

patrol

use of extinguishing media

suppression techniques must include

dry and wet firefighting

Fire

Fire