Qualification details

Release 4 . This is the fourth release of this qualification in the PUA Public Safety Training Package. The following unit has been updated in the general elective group:

• FWPCOT3325 Operate a four wheel drive vehicle on unsealed roads.

Release 3.  Updated superseded HLT elective unit.

Release 2.  This is the second release of this qualification in the PUA – Public Safety Training Package.

Editorial adjustments and electives updated.

Release 1.  This is the first release of this qualification in the PUA – Public Safety Training Package.

The PUA20719 Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations) is designed for introductory level firefighting professionals who respond to disasters and/or incidents that endanger life, property and the environment, as a member of a firefighting team.

The role of a firefighter is to suppress and extinguish fires, to protect lives and to prevent the destruction of property and the environment. To prevent fires from starting and to improve community safety a firefighter’s duties may include participating in community education programs about fire safety and contributing to fire inspections of locations to verify adherence to local fire regulations.

This qualification includes the units of competency required by firefighters to respond to wildfire incidents and to perform a range of other related activities. At this level, firefighters generally work under supervision and have limited discretion in selecting equipment and determining tactics.

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 qualification at the time of publication.

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

A total of 11 units of competency comprising

• 4 core units  listed below; plus
• 7 elective units  from the elective units listed

Choose a minimum of 5 elective units from the elective unit lists below.

Choose the remaining 2 elective units from the elective units lists below or elsewhere within this training package or another endorsed training package or accredited course.

A maximum of 2 elective units may be chosen from Group B.

All elective units selected from outside this qualification must contribute to the vocational outcome of the qualification. Where imported units are selected, care must be taken to ensure that all prerequisite units specified are complied with. Prerequisites attached to any of the units must be obtained and are additional to the number of units required for this qualification.

Where a prerequisite is attached to a unit it is identified by the symbol ∟.

Note: 

Refer to the PUA Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide for information on fire prerequisites.

Core units  

PUAEQU001

Prepare, maintain and test response equipment

∟ PUAFIR210 Prevent injury

PUAFIR204

Respond to wildfire

∟ PUAFIR210 Prevent injury

PUAFIR210

Prevent injury

PUATEA001

Work in a team

Group A: Elective units 

FWPCOT3325

Operate four wheel drive vehicle on unsealed roads

HLTAID011

Provide First Aid

PUACOM001

Communicate in the workplace

PUACOM002

Provide services to clients

PUAFIR015

Undertake helicopter winch operations

∟ PUAFIR017 Work safely around aircraft

PUAFIR016

Undertake hover-exit operations from helicopter

∟ PUAFIR017 Work safely around aircraft

PUAFIR017

Work safely around aircraft

PUAFIR201

Assist with prescribed burning

∟ PUAFIR210 Prevent injury

PUAFIR202

Use Class A foam in wildfire operations and non-structural applications

∟ PUAFIR204 Respond to wildfire

PUAFIR203

Respond to urban fire

∟ PUAFIR207 Operate breathing apparatus open circuit

PUAFIR205

Respond to aviation incident (specialist)

∟ PUAFIR203 Respond to urban fire

PUAFIR206

Check installed fire safety systems

PUAFIR207

Operate breathing apparatus open circuit

∟ PUAFIR210 Prevent injury

PUAFIR208

Participate in community safety activities

PUAFIR212

Rappel from helicopter

∟ PUAFIR017 Work safely around aircraft

PUAFIR220

Respond to isolated structure fire

∟ PUAFIR210 Prevent injury

PUAFIR301

Undertake community safety activities

PUALAW001

Protect and preserve incident scene

PUAOPE013

Operate communications systems and equipment

PUASAR001

Perform land based swiftwater and floodwater rescue and recovery

∟ HLTAID011 Provide First Aid

PUASAR022

Participate in a rescue operation

∟HLTAID011 - Provide First Aid

PUASAR023

Participate in a first response urban search and rescue Category 1

∟ HLTAID011 Provide First Aid

PUATEA004

Work effectively in a public safety organisation

PUAWHS001

Follow defined work, health and safety policies and procedures

Group B: Elective units 

AHCMOM213

Operate and maintain chainsaws

FWPCOT2253

Fell trees manually (basic)

FWPCOT2254

Maintain chainsaws

FWPCOT2256

Trim and cut felled trees

This qualification replaces and is equivalent to PUA20713 Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations).