This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to undertake wildfire scene examination and assessment to determine the path, origin and cause of a wildfire based on fire behaviour, weather conditions, topography and fuel load. It focuses on developing and applying a systematic approach to fire investigation in a wildfire context and is applicable to wildfire fire investigators who are required to determine the origin and cause of a wildfire.

It includes coordinating wildfire investigations, securing fire scenes and preserving evidence, identifying and recovering evidence relevant to a wildfire investigation, packaging items of evidence for examination and conducting an analysis of evidence to identify the cause and origin of a wildfire.

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

Coordinate wildfire investigation

1.1

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

1.2

Cooperation of personnel from a range of agencies/organisations consistent with their designated roles and responsibilities for a wildfire investigation is achieved

1.3

Information required by fire investigator from personnel from other agencies or organisations is identified, sought and received

1.4

Activities of personnel involved in the wildfire investigation are coordinated, in accordance with organisational procedures, to enable an efficient and effective investigation

1.5

Personal protective clothing and equipment is used, in accordance with organisational procedures

1.6

Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) procedures appropriate to the wildfire incident are followed

2

Secure fire scene and preserve evidence

2.1

Legal obligations of fire investigators are adhered to throughout the investigation

2.2

Methods of scene security prior to examination are implemented, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.3

Procedures to monitor and log access to a wildfire scene are identified and applied

2.4

Strategies for locating, collecting and evidence are implemented, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.5

Methods of preservation of evidence at a wildfire scene are implemented

2.6

Scene is protected from unnecessary damage, destruction or contamination

3

Conduct scene investigation

3.1

Investigation activities are coordinated with Incident Controller, in accordance with organisational procedures, when active fire management operations are still occurring in relation to the incident

3.2

Fire incident information, data and records are collected and assessed, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.3

Witness information is obtained

3.4

Survey of scene is conducted to identify hazards and to preserve areas or items of evidential value

3.5

Effect of fuels, weather and topography on wildfire development and spread are identified

3.6

Effects of firefighting actions on fire scene and investigation are assessed

3.7

Fire scene is reviewed, in accordance with organisational procedures, to determine areas of interest and to record observation of factors which may have a bearing on the determination of the origin and cause or development of wildfire

3.8

Physical indicators related to path of fire or development of wildfire are identified, assessed and recorded

3.9

Indicators of damage or destruction of assets caused by wildfire are identified, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.10

Cause of fire, based on recognised cause categories, is determined by wildfire investigation

4

Identify and collect evidence to investigate a wildfire

4.1

Control, comparison and residual samples are identified and extracted, in accordance with organisational procedures requirements

4.2

Samples are protected to avoid contamination and to ensure continuity of evidence

4.3

Samples are recorded, collected, packaged and secured, in accordance with organisational continuity of evidence protocols and procedures

4.4

Procedures for capturing fire scene records are implemented

4.5

Forensic and physical evidence is interpreted

4.6

Organisational and legal reports are completed, in accordance with organisational procedures

5

Analyse information to determine origin and cause of fire

5.1

Collected information and evidence is analysed and interpreted

5.2

Fire origin and cause determination theories are developed and assessed using organisationally approved scientific methods, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.3

Findings are reported and documented, in accordance with organisational procedures and policies

5.4

Evidence is secured for subsequent action, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.5

Wildfire investigation report is completed and forwarded to relevant authorities and stakeholders

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.

origin and cause determination must include

burn indicators

advancing or head fire

backing or heel fire

lateral or flanking fire

angle and depth of char indicators

ash, cupping and curling indicators

damage differential indicators

die out pattern indicators

foliage or leaf freeze indicators

grass stem indicators

identification of ignition sources

protection indicators

scene observation, interpretation and processing

sooting and staining indicators

transition zone

v-pattern indicators

wildfire behaviour including weather, fuel load and topography

wildfire spread

Fire

Fire