Unit of competency details

Release 

TP Version  

Comments 

2

PUA12 V2

Unit Descriptor expanded

Application of the Unit added

Some Performance Criteria made more explicit

Range statements revised

Method of assessment added

1

PUA00 V8.1

Primary release on TGA

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 Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

1. Proceed to fire 

1.1 Information received about the location and type of fire  is recorded in accordance with organisational requirements.

1.2 Appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment  is donned in accordance with organisational procedures.

1.3 Most effective route to the fire is identified.

2. Prepare extinguishing media and/or equipment for use 

2.1 Water supplies  at the incident to support firefighting are located.

2.2 Equipment  to access and supply water to the firefighting operations is identified and assembled in accordance with organisational procedures.

2.3 Nominated extinguishing media  and/or equipment is identified, obtained and/or accessed.

2.4 Extinguishing media and equipment are used in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and organisational procedures.

3. Enter the structure 

3.1 Hazards  are identified, monitored and controlled in accordance with organisational procedures.

3.2 Personal protective clothing selected is appropriate to the hazards.

3.3 Organisational breathing apparatus (BA) procedures and safe work practices are followed.

3.4 Structure is entered in accordance with organisational procedures and safety practices.

3.5 Safe paths of access and egress are identified and maintained at all times.

3.6 Life is protected and damage to property and the environment is minimised in accordance with organisational procedures.

4. Conduct search and rescue 

4.1 Systematic primary and secondary searches are conducted.

4.2 Rooms are searched and marked in accordance with organisational procedures.

4.3 Casualties are located, assisted  and rescued in accordance with organisational procedures.

4.4 Fatalities are located and protected in accordance with organisational procedures and relevant legislation.

4.5 All persons are accounted for and information is communicated to Incident Controller.

5. Combat fires 

5.1 Personal safety is maintained at all times in accordance with organisational procedures and workplace health and safety guidelines.

5.2 Organisational firefighting objectives, strategies and tactics  are received, confirmed and implemented as directed.

5.3 Firefighting considerations  are taken into account when implementing tactics.

5.4 Equipment and extinguishing media used to combat the fire are appropriate to the class of fire and support operational procedures.

5.5 Firefighting equipment is positioned to achieve maximum effect in suppressing the fire, protecting exposures and preserving evidence of fire cause.

5.6 Extinguishing media is applied using appropriate application techniques.

5.7 Fire suppression techniques applied minimise hazards to occupants trapped or lost within the structure.

5.8 Communications with other team members and supervisor are maintained throughout the incident.

6. Observe and react to changes in conditions and fire behaviour 

6.1 Changing conditions at the fire  are observed and their effects on fire behaviour are noted and reported.

6.2 Evidence of changing conditions at the fire  are reported

6.3 Firefighting tactics are adapted to meet changing conditions and fire behaviour.

7. Participate in ancillary operations 

7.1 Ancillary activities  to complement firefighting operations and prevent further damage to the structure and its contents are undertaken.

7.2 Water run off from fire is monitored and conditions reported to supervisor.

7.3 Risk and/or damage to the environment at the incident is minimised or avoided through appropriate firefighting and ancillary activities.

8. Conclude firefighting operations 

8.1 Firefighting equipment is collected and stowed at the incident.

8.2 Incident scene is made safe for the public.

8.3 Defective or missing equipment is identified and reported.

8.4 Assistance is given to complete and record appropriate incident information. 

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

Required Skills 

• apply extinguishing media to the fire
• control fire environment by cooling fire gases
• implement search and rescue procedures
• move in smoke and darkness
• obtain water from reticulated/static water supplies
• operate a branch
• operate a fire extinguisher
• use BA and BA equipment
• use structural entry techniques

Required Knowledge 

• BA procedures
• basic signs of fire cause and activities for protecting evidence
• behaviour of a building/structure in a fire
• extinguishing media
• fire behaviour
• fire ground signals (audible and visual)
• fire tetrahedron
• firefighting foams
• firefighting tactics, techniques, and procedures
• hazards
• identification of various building types including structural elements and materials, causes and signs of structural failure
• map reading
• methods of heat transfer
• natural ventilation procedures
• organisational procedures
• portable fire extinguishers
• principles and methods of extinguishment
• procedures for working with ladders, ropes, lines and tying knots
• safe work practices
• salvage and overhaul

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

• identify different construction types and their behaviour in fire
• identify signs of structural collapse
• apply firefighting tactics
• select and use appropriate personal protective clothing
• select and use firefighting equipment
• implement actions in the workplace to avoid the risk of injury
• implement BA procedures

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency should be assessed on-the-job and/or in a range of simulated environments.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access is required to:

• range of controlled or simulated fires
• firefighting equipment
• extinguishing media
• Breathing apparatus and associated equipment

Method of assessment  

In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an agency-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:

• direct observation
• interviewing the candidate
• journals and workplace documentation
• third party reports from supervisors
• written or oral questions.

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.

Types of fire  must include:

• fires involving dangerous goods and/or hazardous substances
• mobile property
• non-structures
• structures

Personal protective clothing and equipment  must include:

• breathing apparatus
• eye protection
• hearing protection
• turnout uniform and gloves

Water supplies  must include:

• open
• reticulated
• static

Equipment  must include:

• BA and control equipment
• branches, nozzles and monitors
• fire extinguishers
• forcible entry tools
• hoses and hose fittings
• ladders and rope lines
• portable lights
• radios
• salvage gear
• standpipes, hydrants and booster connections
• small gear and ancillary equipment

and may also include:

• other fire extinguishing substances

Extinguishing media  must include:

• extinguishing powder
• foam
• gaseous extinguishing agents
• water

Hazards  may include:

• electricity, including photovoltaic generation
• gas
• hazardous products and materials
• industrial (machinery, equipment, products)
• smoke, darkness and heat
• structural collapse
• structural hazards
• unauthorised personnel

Assisted  may include:

• first aid
• handing over to ambulance, medical care or other organisation
• protecting from the elements
• providing refreshments

Firefighting objectives  must include:

• confining the spread of fire
• extinguishment
• protecting exposures
• rescuing occupants
• salvage and overhaul
• ventilation

Fire strategies  must include:

• defensive mode
• direct attack
• indirect attack
• offensive mode

Firefighting tactics  must include:

• cooling the fuels
• excluding oxygen
• interrupting the chemical chain reaction
• removing fuels
• ventilation

Firefighting considerations  must include:

• available firefighting resources
• extinguishing media
• fire exposures
• indications of extreme fire behaviour
• signs of structural collapse
• size of fire
• stage of fire development
• topography
• type of fire
• weather

Firefighting activities  must include:

• anticipating fire behaviour
• applying extinguishing media
• applying techniques to maximise the effect and minimise the damage
• ensuring safety
• hose stream techniques
• locating and accessing the fire
• protecting and notifying supervisor of evidence of fire cause
• search and rescue

Changing conditions at the fire  may include:

• increase/decrease in fuel available to fire
• increase/decrease in heat of fire
• increase/decrease in oxygen available to fire
• impending structural collapse
• other materials becoming involved in fire
• fire spread
• flame colour and size
• increase in heat
• signs of structural collapse
• smoke colour
• weather conditions

Evidence of changing conditions at the fire  may include:

• fire spread
• flame colour and size
• increase in heat
• signs of structural collapse
• smoke colour
• weather conditions

Ancillary activities  may include:

• damming water run off
• guarding against hazards
• making-up equipment
• overhaul
• salvage
• securing the area
• ventilation

Recording appropriate incident information  must include:

• recording information in accordance with organisational requirements

and may also include:

• attendance records
• completing personal notebooks logs and/or report forms
• equipment used
• objectives set
• owner/occupant details
• problems encountered
• strategies and tactics
• values