Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to initiate and maintain fire in a survival situation.

Fire is one of the most critical survival resources because of the range of applications, from preventing hypothermia, and sterilising water to initiating rescue signals.

The individual is expected to produce fire from improvised means (which may include traditional means if there are no alternatives).

Application of the Unit 

The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Prerequisite Unit /s 

Nil

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the Required Skills and Knowledge and/or the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for fire starting 

1.1 Tinder  is collected, dried and protected 

1.2 Kindling  is collected, prepared and stored in a dry location

1.3 Fuel  is collected, prepared and stored in a dry location

2. Start and maintain fire 

2.1 A fire safe area is sited and prepared 

2.2 Fire is started from improvised means 

2.3 Fire is prevented  from extinguishing

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required Skills 

• implement fire safety

Required Knowledge 

• chemical and electrical hazard awareness
• fire safety
• hypothermia
• range of applications of fire in a survival situation
• rescue signals

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to produce fire from traditional means and friction; to nurture the ember (from the traditional means only) into a robust flame (i.e. a small bonfire) through the careful and sequential additions of tinder, kindling and fuel; and to maintain a fire continuously regardless of weather conditions (which must include rain) demonstrating due regard to the safety of persons and equipment, and the surrounding environment.

Consistency in performance 

Competency must be demonstrated once under the range of methods detailed in the establishment of fire but the maintenance of fire should be assessed over time.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency must be assessed in a simulated workplace environment.

While a person can demonstrate the technical ability to start and maintain a fire, doing so in a survival situation is crucial; consequently it is strongly recommended that holistic assessment be conducted with other associated survival units.

Assessment under simulated survival conditions should include:

• food restrictions (food should be restricted to half the recommended daily caloric intake)
• the absence of normal living conditions and amenities such as showers, beds and bedding (warmth to be provided by fire), kitchens etc. with the attendant levels of personal discomfort and fatigue
• a significant period of time - the recommendation is four days.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access to assessment area with access to a sufficient quantity of suitable dry organic material to start fires; friction method fire starting resources including bootlace (as bow-string); and a knife.

RANGE STATEMENT 

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.

Tinder may include 

Dried filaments of grass and fibre

Extremely fine/ground shavings

Fluff/down from clothing

Punk from traditional drillings

Protecting tinder may include 

Using purpose waterproof container or improvised equivalent

Preventing unnecessary absorption of atmospheric water

Kindling may include 

Leaves

Grass

Shavings

Small twigs

Fuel includes 

Branches

Logs

Preparing a fire safe area includes 

Minimising threat to the survivor

Minimising threat to the survivor's effects and equipment

Preventing escape of the fire into surrounding vegetation

Improvised means may include 

Chemical:

• brake fluid and potassium permanganate
• glycerine and potassium permanganate
• potassium permanganate and sugar

Electrical:

• dry cell and steel wool
• car battery and jumper leads

Friction:

• flint/striker systems

Solar:

• focal point of headlight dish
• magnifying glass/lens

Traditional:

• bow
• bowstring (bootlace)
• hand drill
• plough

Preventing a fire from extinguishing includes 

All weather conditions

Co-requisite Unit /s 

Nil