This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to work as a member of a team under limited supervision when suppressing an urban fire. It includes responding to fires and determining extinguishing media, equipment and structural fire behaviour. It also includes protecting people; how to attack fires, ventilate structures, observe and react to fire conditions; undertake ancillary firefighting operations and complete operations.

The unit applies to personnel required to suppress a range of different types of structure and non-structure fires where there is the potential for multiple hazards to be present.

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

Initiate response to fire

1.1

Fire details are received and initial response is determined, in accordance with organisational procedures

1.2

Firefighting personal protective clothing and equipment requirements are determined and used, based on available information

1.3

Changes to fire conditions are reported and acted on to determine firefighting tactics

1.4

Firefighting considerations are taken into account when determining tactics

2

Determine extinguishing media and equipment

2.1

Available static or reticulated water supplies to support firefighting operations are identified and capacity is determined

2.2

Selection of hose and equipment is sufficient to support firefighting operations

2.3

Extinguishing media are selected, in accordance with the type of fire within the area of operation

2.4

Breathing apparatus is used within its' safe work limitations, in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and organisational procedures

3

Determine structural fire behaviour

3.1

Combustion processes taking place in the structure are determined

3.2

Tactics for terminating combustion processes are determined

3.3

Presence of hazardous materials located in the fire area are identified and an appropriate plan of action is determined

4

Protect people

4.1

Primary and secondary searches are planned, conducted and supported, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.2

Appropriate priority and support is allocated to fire rescue and evacuation activities

4.3

Casualties are treated and/or handed into the care of medical personnel once clear of threat of fire

5

Attack fire

5.1

Firefighting strategies and tactics are prioritised, implemented and monitored, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.2

Firefighting extinguishing media are selected, in accordance with the type of fire and the actual or potential hazards identified within the area of operations

5.3

Fire is located and access is gained in the safest and most effective manner to minimise damage to property or the risk of injury to others or self, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.4

Potential fire behaviour is anticipated and action is taken to protect the safety of self and others and to achieve determined strategies

5.5

Breathing apparatus procedures are complied with, in accordance with organisational requirements

5.6

Fire is attacked using a range of extinguishing media and application techniques appropriate to type and size of fire, in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and organisational procedures

5.7

Evidence of fire cause is protected and action is taken, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.8

Firefighting suppression activities, including extinguishing media, are used to contain spread of fire and damage to the environment and property

5.9

Burning and smouldering materials are identified and extinguished, in accordance with organisational requirements

5.10

Communication is maintained and monitored throughout firefighting operations, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.11

Firefighting ancillary activities are undertaken to avoid or minimise risk of environmental damage

6

Ventilate structure

6.1

Structures are ventilated, as required, using the most appropriate natural and mechanical ventilation techniques, in accordance with organisational procedures

6.2

Structures are ventilated without endangering personnel or increasing the spread of fire, in accordance with organisational procedures

7

Observe and react to fire conditions

7.1

Fire is continually monitored and significant changes affecting the status of the fire and effectiveness of selected firefighting strategies are reported, in accordance with organisational procedures

7.2

Firefighting strategies and tactics are modified and adjusted, in accordance with organisational procedures, the changing conditions at the fire or as directed

8

Undertake ancillary firefighting operations

8.1

Firefighting and ancillary activities undertaken at the incident ensure that the risk of injury to the public, other personnel and self is avoid or minimised

8.2

Salvage and overhaul activities are undertaken to support the conclusion of firefighting operations, in accordance with organisational procedures

9

Complete operations

9.1

Equipment is made ready for operational use, in accordance with organisational procedures

9.2

Damaged or missing equipment is replaced, recorded and/or reported, in accordance with organisational procedures

9.3

Participate in debriefing sessions

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.

fire must include

fires involving electricity

industrial complex

mobile property fires

multi-storey structures

structure and non-structure fires which may also include

fires involving fuels and chemicals

ship fires

personal protective clothing and equipment must include

breathing apparatus

distress alarms

structural fire protective clothing

reporting of changes to fire condition must include

initial reports at scene

reports of achievement during firefighting e.g. completion of rescue and fire under control etc.

reports of significant changes in conditions

Situation Reports (SITREPS)

equipment must include

branches/nozzles

breathing apparatus and control equipment

fire extinguishers

forcible entry tools

hand tools

hoses and hose fittings

ladders and rope lines

portable lighting

radios

salvage gear

small gear and ancillary equipment

stand pipes, hydrants and booster connections

ventilation equipment

extinguishing media must include

extinguishing powders

foams

gaseous extinguishing agents

water

firefighting strategies must include

confining the spread of fire

extinguishment

protecting exposures

protection of area of fire origin and evidence of cause

rescuing occupants

salvage and overhaul

access must include

forcible entry

normal entry

roof access from ladders and/or aerial appliance

application techniques must include

defensive mode

direct attack

direction of attack

indirect attack

offensive mode

ancillary activities must include three or more of the following

damming and/or draining water runoff

guarding against hazards

making up equipment

overhaul

protecting the ignition site

salvage

securing the area

supply of materials

structures to be ventilated must include

commercial

high rise buildings

mobile structures i.e. road, rail, aviation and marine vehicles

multi-storey

residential

Fire

Fire