Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of using controlled burning to manage natural and cultural resources and defines the standard required to: control burning operations; protect life and property during burning ; achieve the correct intensity of burn.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to land managers who use controlled burning as a natural and cultural resource management tool.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Protect life and property

1.1. Burn is implemented according to the plan.

1.2. Visitors are excluded from target areas, entertainment areas and areas possibly affected by smoke or risk from escaping fire.

1.3. Field workers are instructed in burn and safety procedures to conduct the burn using the Incident Control System.

1.4. Neighbours and agencies are advised of the intention to burn to ensure safety and maintain client relations.

1.5. Cultural sites, assets and entertainment areas are protected according to fire industry practices.

1.6. Fire breaks are applied to the area to maintain control of the fire and burn intensity.

1.7. Standby fire units are available to control unexpected outbreaks.

2. Burn defined areas

2.1. Weather forecasts and current weather conditions are assessed to determine appropriate conditions and timing for burn.

2.2. Fire is applied to targeted areas to organisation requirements.

2.3. Area is checked to ensure all portions intended have received required burn.

2.4. Assessment of burn is completed and recorded to organisation procedures.

2.5. Area burnt is monitored to organisation procedures to avoid wildfire outbreaks.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• the life cycles of flora and fauna of forests/plantations and effect of burning operations
• required intensity of fire
• the dependence of the terrestrial ecosystems on fire
• emergency fire services
• radio communication
• effects of fire on human physiology
• use literacy skills to fulfil job roles as required by the organisation. The level of skill may range from reading and understanding documentation to completion of written reports
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record complex workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• the life cycles of flora and fauna of forests/plantations and effect of burning operations
• required intensity of fire
• the dependence of the terrestrial ecosystems on fire
• emergency fire services
• radio communication
• effects of fire on human physiology.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• control burning operations
• protect life and property during burning
• achieve the correct intensity of burn.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Planned burning may include:

• the range of resources available for conducting a planned burn
• the range of laws covering planned burning activities
• the range of purposes for which a planned burn is used.

Unit sector 

Indigenous land management

Co-requisite units 

Competency field