ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for operations of ignition equipment

1.1 Personal protection and safety equipment and procedures are selected and inspected/tested prior to operations commencing.

1.2 Organisational procedures relating to personal protection and safety equipment are implemented.

1.3 Requirements for operations are identified and confirmed with relevant personnel.

1.4 Activities are undertaken in accordance with work health and safety (WHS) requirements, organisational guidelines and aviation regulations.

1.5 Incendiary device to be used is confirmed.

1.6 Incendiary devices and associated consumable materials are stored and transported in accordance with the organisation’s requirements.

1.7 Ignition equipment is installed in aircraft in accordance with the organisation and aircraft operator requirements.

1.8 Ignition equipment is inspected to ensure correct operation.

1.9 Mixing operations for incendiary device are undertaken as per manufacturer’s guidelines and prevailing conditions.

1.10 Incendiary devices are loaded into ignition equipment in accordance with the organisation’s procedures.

1.11 Ignition equipment is tested, and adjusted where required, to ensure correct operation.

2. Conduct aerial ignition operations

2.1 Ignition equipment is operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and the organisation’s procedures.

2.2 Adjustments to ignition equipment are undertaken as required in response to changed conditions or alterations to burn plan.

2.3 Emergency procedures are conducted as required.

2.4 Communications between pilot, navigator and ignition equipment operator are maintained.

2.5 Ignition operations are completed in accordance with burn plan.

3. Service, maintain and store incendiary equipment

3.1 Excess incendiary devices are disposed of in accordance with the organisation’s guidelines.

3.2 Ignition equipment is serviced, maintained and repaired within scope of authority.

3.3 Major faults to equipment are documented and forwarded to appropriate personnel for action.

3.4 Ignition equipment is stowed and forwarded to appropriate personnel for rectification.

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

Required Skills

display mechanical aptitude including appropriate hand-eye coordination

operate effectively in an aircraft for extended periods

use communications equipment effectively

work as a member of a team

Required Knowledge

aircraft safety

mechanical knowledge sufficient to maintain and repair machines

legislative and organisation’s rules and regulations governing aerial ignition operations

forms and applications of various aerial ignition technology

safety and emergency procedures when undertaking aerial ignition operations

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

It is essential for this unit that competence be demonstrated in:

adherence to safe working practice including safety response action in the event of machine or ignition equipment malfunction

demonstration of correct pre-flight testing and installation procedures

accurately dispensing incendiaries

servicing and maintenance of equipment

Consistency in performance

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

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:

codes of practice

hazard policy and procedures

job procedures and work instructions

guidelines relating to safe use of equipment

house keeping procedures

following workplace procedures

action taken promptly - accidents and incidents reported within regulatory and organisation’s requirements

work completed systematically in accordance with safe operating procedures to minimise risk of injury to self, others or damage to equipment

Competency in using this equipment is required at least 2 yearly under carriage of dangerous goods CAR 262a

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Assessment will take place in a simulated environment followed by assessment by an accredited operator on-the-job

Specific resources for assessment

aerial ignition equipment and materials

transport of incendiary devices and ignition equipment

personal protective and safety equipment

an area to conduct operations

aircraft and necessary equipment

appropriate tools and equipment for testing, maintenance and inspection of equipment

safe disposal facilities

Method of assessment

In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an agency-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:

direct observation

interviewing the candidate

journals and workplace documentation

third party reports from supervisors

written or oral questions

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.

Personal protection and safety equipment may include:

ear protectors

eye protection, gloves and personal protection

fire resistant clothing

footwear

rubber gloves, vapour masks and respirators

safety helmets with visors

Organisational procedures may include:

compliance with:

aeronautical engineer’s orders

aircraft safety procedures

dangerous goods legislation

Fire Code of Practice

flight supplement specifications

installation on hook-up procedures

manufacturer specifications

material safety data sheets (MSDS) or safety data sheets (SDS)

organisational operational procedures

WHS guidelines

Incendiary devices and associated consumable materials may include:

potassium permanganate

ethylene glycol (antifreeze)

unleaded or super petrol

aluminium powder (Surefire)

methanol

Ignition equipment includes:

helitorch/aerial driptorch

hand-held manual incendiary injection

automated incendiary machines

Mixing equipment may include:

hand mixing tools and pumps

air compressors and air operated pumps

Emergency procedures may include:

jammed incendiary device

ignited incendiary device

electrical system fault

fuel spillage

incendiary fire in ignition device

fuel fire

Servicing, maintaining and repairing equipment may include:

strip and assembling equipment

fault finding and rectification

service, cleaning and maintenance according to manufacturer’s specifications

liaising with specialist personnel

security procedures