This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to respond to an incident and to undertake a preliminary fire investigation prior to the arrival of a specialist fire investigator.

The unit is applicable to personnel required to conduct a fire investigation at a fire or related incident. It is not intended for personnel operating in the role of specialist fire investigator.

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

Plan fireorincident investigation and analysis activities

1.1

Roles and responsibilities of organisations or agencies and support personnel involved in the fire or incident investigation are confirmed

1.2

Procedures and protocols for the coordination of organisations involved in the fire or incident investigation are identified, agreed and implemented

1.3

Strategies required to conduct fire or incident investigation and analysis are identified and implemented, in accordance with organisational procedures

1.4

Preliminary and background sources of information concerning the context of the fire or incident investigation are identified and used

1.5

Legislative requirements that impact on the collection and recording of evidence are identified

1.6

Evidence and information gathering process at the incident site is planned, in accordance with organisational procedures, environmental conditions and resource availability

1.7

Fire investigation equipment and resources for the incident are identified and assembled

2

Collect, collate and preserve evidence

2.1

Methods and techniques of evidence and information collection for the investigation are applied, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.2

Various types of evidence and information pertinent to the investigation are recorded or collected, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.3

Organisational procedures for continuity and preservation of evidence are followed

2.4

Packaging and identification techniques for transportation of evidence for laboratory testing are followed, in accordance with organisational procedures

3

Determine origin and cause of fire at incident

3.1

Fire investigation procedures to determine the origin and cause of fire are followed

3.2

Liaise with specialist fire investigation personnel to support determination of the cause of fire, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.3

Provide assistance to forensic personnel and specialist organisations, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.4

Evidence of origin and cause of fire is identified and examined

3.5

Preliminary findings are documented and validated, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.6

Fire origin and cause determination theories are developed and assessed, using organisationally approved scientific methods

3.7

Findings, methodologies, support data and briefing notes are documented, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.8

Fire origin and cause is determined and reported, in accordance with organisational procedures

4

Conduct analysis of incident

4.1

Information relating to incident is gathered, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.2

Information relating to incident is evaluated, in accordance with organisational procedures

5

Record and report information collected

5.1

Information for a fire incident investigation is recorded, in accordance with organisational procedures and the rules of evidence

5.2

Information collected for a fire incident investigation is prepared and documented, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.3

Report is submitted through the chain of command, in accordance with organisational procedures

6

Prepare for proceedings

6.1

Briefings are participated in with counsel, as required

6.2

Additional information or clarification of fire incident investigation procedures or findings are investigated, if required

6.3

Protocols for giving evidence at coronial, civil or criminal proceedings are implemented

7

Review and evaluate fireorincident investigation

7.1

Outcomes of legal proceedings are identified and distributed to ensure knowledge of investigations and trends is maintained and is current

7.2

Changes to organisational policies and procedures arising from legal proceedings and decisions are formulated and reported

7.3

Fire or incident cause determination, documentation or recommendations are forwarded to relevant personnel, in accordance with organisational procedures

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

Fire