Unit of competency details

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Plan and prepare for work

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation  relevant to fire team operations

1.2. Identify and confirm personal safety requirements and the individual's role in the fire team

1.3. Identify and clarify fire risks in the site and the likely impact and responses to site specific hazards

1.4. Identify types of fire fighting appliances  and confirm their applications

1.5. Identify and confirm location and range of appliances held at relevant fire boards, depots, sub-stations and stations by site visit

2. Fight or contain fires

2.1. Receive, clarify and confirm notification of fire operations from the appropriate authority

2.2. Move to the fire site in accordance with site procedures

2.3. Identify and pass details, or receive and clarify the type, nature, source and intensity of the fire  to appropriate authorities

2.4. Select appliances and equipment appropriate to the fire circumstances and apply in accordance with manufacturer and/or site instructions

2.5. Continually monitor conditions in the fire area and modify fire fighting techniques/applications to reduce the impact of identified and potential hazards 

2.6. Avoid unnecessary risks to the individual and other team members and follow evacuation procedures in accordance with site rules

2.7. Apply isolation procedures in accordance with site rules

3. Finalise the operation

3.1. Avoid fire recurrence by the appropriate processes, including watering, rake down and chemical means

3.2. Isolate, rope-off, secure and monitor fire area in accordance with site procedures

3.3. Clean and inspect appliances and equipment and replace in the designated location or process for maintenance and repair

3.4. Undertake debriefs and complete records in accordance with site procedures

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

Required skills 

Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria in this unit, particularly for the application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be applied. This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to conduct fire team operations:

• apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures
• apply operational safety requirements
• access, interpret and apply technical fire operational information
• apply hazard and potential hazard identification procedures
• assess required responses
• apply evacuation procedures
• apply fire fighting techniques
• administer First Aid
• use hand tools
• work as a team member
• apply isolation and tagging

Required knowledge 

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly its application in a variety of circumstances in which the unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following, as required to conduct fire team operations:

• legislative and site rules
• causes, characteristics, hazards and responses to the types of fire
• site gases and characteristics
• basic site geology and survey information related to fire operations
• basic building structural information related to fire operations
• fire fighting equipment
• fire fighting techniques
• isolation and tagging procedures
• basic teamwork
• critical situation dynamics and control
• communication and reporting procedures
• initial response First Aid

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 worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

• knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for conducting fire team operations
• implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of fire team operations
• working with others to undertake and complete the fire team operations that meets all of the required outcomes
• consistent timely completion of fire team operations that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
• The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.
• Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.
• Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.
• Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in the work environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to site circumstances.
• Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
• Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Method of assessment 

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:

• written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge
• observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

• implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes
• consistently achieving the required outcomes

• first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

• working with others to undertake and complete fire team operations

Guidance information for assessment 

Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Relevant compliance documentation  may include:

• legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures
• manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
• Australian standards
• code of practice
• Employment and workplace relations legislation
• Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

Types of fire fighting appliances  may include:

• extinguishers
• hoses - water
• expansion foam
• expansion foam generator
• spanners
• nozzles
• breaches
• hand tools
• water pumps

Types of fire  are:

• as per Australian standards

Potential hazards  may include:

• smoke
• heat
• roof and rib
• buildings
• chemicals
• gases
• ventilation