PUAFIR204B
Respond to wildfire

This unit covers competency for responding to a wildfire when working as a member of a team, under direct supervision.

Application

The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.


Prerequisites

Prerequisite Unit/s

PUAFIR201B Prevent injury


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare to respond to fire

1.1 The location of fire and the most effective route to the fire are obtained taking into account local conditions

1.2 Protective clothing and equipment, food and fluid requirements are identified and relevant preparations undertaken prior to departure

2. Proceed to fire

2.1 The location of the fire is confirmed on approach

2.2 Access to the area is gained with minimum injury to personnel or damage to vehicles, equipment or the environment

2.3 Evidence of fire cause is noted and brought to the attention of the supervisor

3. Obtain and use extinguishing media and equipment

3.1 Nominated media and equipment are located and obtained

3.2 Equipment is used to deliver the nominated media in accordance with the organisation's and manufacturer's procedures

4. Combat wildfire

4.1 Instructions are received, confirmed and implemented in accordance with the organisation's safe work practices and procedures

4.2 Equipment and extinguishing media used are appropriate to wildfire conditions

4.3 Control lines are prepared in accordance with the organisation's procedures

4.4 Equipment is positioned, made ready for use and protected from damage in accordance with the organisation's procedures

4.5 Fire is attacked taking into account wildfire hazards as directed and in accordance with the organisation's procedures

4.6 Evidence of fire cause and area of fire origin are protected

4.7 Communication is maintained at all times in accordance with the organisation's procedures

5. Observe and react to wildfire and weather conditions

5.1 Conditions at the fire are observed and their effect on fire behaviour and development are noted and reported to supervisor

5.2 Weather conditions and changes to fire behaviour are observed and reported to the supervisor

5.3 Variations in terrain, fuel types and fuel arrangements are observed and the effect on fire behaviour is reported to the supervisor as required

5.4 A safe escape route or refuge is identified and maintained at all times

5.5 Communication is maintained with other firefighting personnel and the supervisor throughout operational activities

6. Participate in mop-up and patrol activities

6.1 Mopping-up activities are carried out under direction in accordance with the organisation's procedures

6.2 Patrol of the perimeter or sector of the fire is maintained in accordance with the organisation's procedures

7. Assist in ancillary operations

7.1 Activities to complement firefighting operations are carried out as directed and according to the organisation's procedure

8. Recover and store equipment

8.1 Equipment and consumables are recovered as directed

8.2 Equipment is stored in accordance with the organisation's procedures

8.3 Cleaning and maintenance are carried out in accordance with the organisation's procedures

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

use of wildfire control tools and equipment

undertaking dry and wet wildfire attack

detection of hot spots, stags, unsecured wildfire perimeter

Required Knowledge

fire behaviour

extinguishing media, water, foam, suppressants

knapsack

operating firefighting equipment

responding to wildfire

wildfire control tactics and techniques

wildfire hazards, safety techniques

fuel load, moisture content of fuel, topography, fireground signals

organisation's operating procedures

effects of wildfire on structures

awareness of health and fitness requirements

Evidence Required

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

For this unit it is essential that competence be demonstrated by:

reacting to changing wildfire behaviour due to changes in weather, topography and fuel conditions

participating in dry wildfire control

use of extinguishing media in wildfire control

maintaining health and safety of self, other workers and people in the immediate work area

participating in mop-up and patrol

undertaking operational activities safely

Consistency in performance

Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

A combination of oral or written presentation, observationon the job or in a simulated wildfire (grass, crop, scrub, forest) environment

Specific resources for assessment

access to controlled or contained fires

availability of wildfire control equipment

Guidance information for assessment

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.


Range Statement

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.

Types of wildfire must include

ground, surface, crown

Types of fuel may include

grass

crop

forest

heath plantation

scrub

Fuel features must include

type

size

arrangement/distribution

quantity

moisture content

topography

local fire conditions

Weather factors must include

variations to wind speed and direction

relative humidity

temperature

atmospheric stability

Wildfire extinguishing media must include

water

and may also include

wetting agent

Class A foam

fire suppressants (short and long term)

earth

retardants

Wildfire extinguishing equipment must include

tanker

hand tools

hose and small gear

pump

and may also include

aircraft

ropes and lines

knap sack

chainsaw

Types of firefighting strategies must include

offensive strategy

defensive strategy

flank attack

combined strategy

direct attack

parallel attack

indirect attack

combination attack

Wildfire hazards must include

heat related illness

fatigue

smoke inhalation

burns

sprain or fracture

snake or insect bite

falling branches/trees

manual handling

trips/falls

disorientation

environmental

lack of visibility

water bombing operations

Variations in topography must include

elevation

slope

aspect

landscape features

Access may be gained by

vehicle

aircraft

boat

foot

Information about access must be received by

radio/phone

personal contact

and may also include

map reference

Personal protective clothing and equipment must include

turnout uniform and gloves

eye protection

hearing protection

respiratory protection

and may also include

protective hoods

accessories as per organisational standards

Ancillary activities may include

provision/transportation of food, water and equipment for an incident

working with earth moving equipment such as bulldozer, grader, tractor with blade


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.