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.

Prerequisite Unit/s

PUAFIR204B Respond to wildfire

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Receive and report details of wildfire

1.1 Details of the fire's location and development of the fire are received and recorded

1.2 Fire details are reported in accordance with the organisation's procedures

2. Prepare to respond to fire

2.1 The location of and access to the wildfire are confirmed and the most effective route is ascertained

2.2 Required organisational equipment, protective clothing, apparel, food and water required are assessed and procured before departure

2.3 The most appropriate method of transport to the wildfire is selected and used

3. Proceed to fire

3.1 The location of the wildfire is confirmed from observation or by direction while on approach

3.2 Access to area is determined and achieved with minimum injury to personnel or damage to vehicles, equipment or environmentally sensitive areas

3.3 The safety of people in the wildfire area is assessed and monitored

3.4 Evidence of the wildfire cause is noted and brought to the attention of the appropriate authority

3.5 Navigational tools are used for planning and operational purposes

4. Protect people

4.1 As far as conditions allow, the number and location of people in the threatened area is determined

4.2 Appropriate evacuation or non-evacuation protocols are identified and applied or advised to persons in the path of a wildfire

4.3 Access to hazardous locations is controlled

4.4 The safe defensibility of property is evaluated and assistance is provided to help occupiers

4.5 Advice and support is provided to occupiers in helping them safely defend their property

4.6 The safety of people in the threatened area is monitored during the course of the fire

4.7 The safety of people in the area is checked and confirmed after the passing of the fire

5. Combat wildfire

5.1 Media and equipment are selected and used to allow wildfire control operations to be conducted effectively and safely in accordance with the organisation's procedures and OH&S procedures

5.2 The most suitable location from which to use equipment to commence wildfire control operations is selected

5.3 Access to the selected area of operations is gained in the safest and most effective manner

5.4 Fire hazards are identified and action taken to minimise the risk of injury to the public, personnel and self

5.5 Fire control strategies and tactics are employed to achieve the objectives in accordance with the organisation's procedures

5.6 Fire control activities undertaken minimise overall damage and impact on the environment

5.7 Potential fire behaviour is considered and acted upon to ensure safety and achievement of objective

5.8 Fuel, weather and topographical factors are observed and potential fire behaviour anticipated

5.9 The effectiveness of tactics employed is reported to the supervisor

5.10 Area of origin and evidence of fire cause is protected and brought to attention of supervisor or relevant authority

5.11 Safe egress and/or refuge from the fire is identified and communicated to personnel

6. Conduct mop-up and patrol activities

6.1 Mop-up and patrol activities are carried out effectively and safely to the distance determined by the Incident Controller

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

7. Recover and maintain equipment

7.1 Equipment is made up and made ready for operational use in accordance with the organisation's procedures

7.2 Damaged or missing equipment is replaced, recorded and/or reported in accordance with the organisation's procedures

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

Required Skills

wildfire control and suppression; back burning; use of wildfire control tools and equipment

map reading and interpretation

detection of hot spots, stags,

unsecured wildfire perimeter,

mop-up activities

Required Knowledge

Firefighting Protocols

organisation policy; direct, indirect, parallel attack; wet, dry firefighting; backburning (ground, aerial); control lines and firebreaks; defensive firefighting tactics

Fire attack procedures

standard operating procedures; reporting; patrol; mop-up; briefings/instructions; identification of cause

Safety

organisation first-aid requirements; fireground hazards; procedures for dealing with injury; safety near vehicles and machines; briefings; team work

Fuel and its impact on fire behaviour

moisture content, quantity, type, arrangement and distribution, size, drought effects, curing

Fire behaviour

rate of spread, flame height and intensity, spotting, fire development, junction zones

Topography and its impact on fire behaviour

slope, aspect, physical features, turbulence

Weather factors which impact on fire behaviour

wind direction and speed

wind changes

temperature

relative humidity

atmospheric stability

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

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

anticipating and reacting to changing wildfire behaviour

observing and reacting to weather behaviour

undertaking dry wildfire control activity

use of extinguishing media

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

completing mop-up and patrol

reading maps and navigation

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, observation, on the job and/or in a range of simulated environments

Specific resources for assessment

access to controlled 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.

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 and crown fire

Fuel types may include

grass

crop

forest

plantation

heath

Fuel features which will impact on fire development must include

type

size

arrangement/distribution

quantity

seasonal effects

effects of drought

moisture content

Wildfire extinguishing media must include

water

and may also include

wetting agents

Class A foam

fire suppressants (short and long term)/earth

retardants

Wildfire extinguishing equipment must include

tanker

hand tool

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

combined strategy

direct attack

parallel attack

indirect attack

flank attack

combination attack

reconnaissance

mop-up

patrol

Access methods may include by

vehicle

aircraft

boat

foot

Topographic factors which may impact on fire development must include

elevation

slope

wind turbulence

local wind effects

botanical effects

aspect

Weather factors which may impact on fire development must include

wind direction and speed

wind changes

temperature

relative humidity

atmospheric stability

cold fronts

local effects

adiabatic winds

katabatic winds

sea breezes

land breezes

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 and transport of food, water, fuel and equipment of an incident

aircraft operations

working with earthmoving equipment

Navigational aids must include

maps

compass

and may also include

geographical information systems

global positioning satellites

aerial photographs

Wildfire hazards must include

heat-related illness (heat exhaustion and dehydration)

fatigue

smoke inhalation

burns

sprain or fracture

trips/falls

snake or insect bite

lack of visibility

falling branches and trees

rolling objects

falling objects

manual handling

disorientation

water bombing operation

environmental

Fire behaviour is evidenced by

rate of spread

flame height and intensity

spotting

fire development

terrain, topography

fuel load and arrangement

weather conditions - winds, fire whirls

This unit contains employability skills.