Unit of competency details

Release 

TP Version  

Comments 

2

PUA12 V2

Content reviewed

Application of the Unit added

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. Prepare to respond to fire  

1.1 Information about location of fire, type of wildfire  and most effective route to the fire is obtained, taking into account local conditions.

1.2 Personal protective clothing and equipment, and food and fluid requirements are identified and relevant preparations undertaken prior to departure as per organisational standards.

2. Proceed to fire 

2.1 Location of the fire and type of fuel  is confirmed on approach.

2.2 Access to the area is gained safely without damage to vehicles and equipment, and minimum damage to the environment.

2.3 Evidence relevant to fire cause  is noted and brought to the attention of the supervisor.

2.4 Indicators of fire behaviour  are observed and communicated to supervisor.

3. Obtain and use firefighting equipment and extinguishing media 

3.1 Nominated extinguishing media  and firefighting equipment  are located and obtained.

3.2 Equipment is used in accordance with organisational and manufacturer's procedures.

4. Combat wildfire 

4.1 Instructions are received, firefighting strategies and tactics  are confirmed and implemented in accordance with organisational safe work practices and procedures.

4.2 Suppression techniques , equipment and extinguishing media appropriate to wildfire conditions are used.

4.3 Control lines are prepared in accordance with supervisor’s instructions.

4.4 Equipment is positioned, made ready for use and protected from damage in accordance with organisational procedures.

4.5 Fire is attacked taking into account wildfire hazards  as directed and in accordance with organisational procedures.

4.6 Evidence of fire cause and area of fire origin are protected.

4.7 Communication  is maintained at all times in accordance with organisational procedures.

5. Observe and react to wildfire and weather conditions 

5.1 Conditions at the fire are observed and their effect on fire behaviour and development are noted and reported to supervisor.

5.2 Weather conditions  and changes to fire behaviour are observed and reported to supervisor.

5.3 Variations in topography , fuel features  and fuel arrangements are observed and effect on fire behaviour is reported to supervisor as required.

5.4 Escape routes  and safety zones  are identified and maintained at all times.

5.5 Communication is maintained with other firefighting personnel and supervisor throughout operational activities.

6. Participate in mop-up and patrol activities and support operations 

6.1 Mopping-up activities are carried out in accordance with organisational procedures.

6.2 Patrol of the perimeter or sector of the fire is maintained in accordance with organisational procedures.

6.3 Activities to support firefighting operations  are carried out in accordance with organisational procedures.

7. Recover and store equipment 

7.1 Equipment and consumables  are recovered as directed.

7.2 Equipment is stored in accordance with organisational procedures.

7.3 Cleaning and maintenance are carried out in accordance with organisational procedures.

7.4 Damaged or lost equipment is reported in accordance with organisational procedures.

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

Required Skills 

• detect hot spots, hazardous trees, unsecured wildfire perimeter
• undertake dry and wet wildfire attack
• use wildfire control tools and equipment
• work as a member of a team

Required Knowledge 

• communication on the fireground
• extinguishing media, water, foam, suppressants
• fire behaviour (fuel, weather and topography)
• health and fitness requirements
• hygiene and wellbeing
• organisational operating procedures
• safe work practices
• wildfire control tactics and techniques
• wildfire hazards, safety techniques

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

• react to changing wildfire behaviour due to changes in weather, topography and fuel conditions
• use firefighting equipment
• participate in dry wildfire control
• use extinguishing media in wildfire control
• maintain health and safety of self, other workers and people in the immediate work area
• participate in mop-up and patrol
• undertake operational activities safely

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual and/or simulated field-based workplace environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in an agency approved simulated and/or field-based workplace environment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

• controlled or contained fires and/or simulated workplace environment
• firefighting equipment and extinguishing media

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 industry-approved simulated workor 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.

Type of wildfire  must include:

• crown
• ground
• surface

Type of fuel  may include:

• crop
• forest
• grass
• heath
• peat, coal and combustible soils
• plantation
• scrub

Evidence relevant to fire cause  may include:

• fresh vehicles tracks
• items or objects at scene
• nature and behaviour of fire at the scene upon arrival
• nature and colour of smoke and number of columns
• people and vehicles leaving the scene
• whether gates on access routes to the fire are closed, opened or locked

Indicators of fire behaviour  may include:

• flame height and length
• noise
• rate of spread
• smoke colour and density
• spotting

Extinguishing media  must include:

• water

and may also include:

• Class A foam
• retardants
• soil
• wetting agents

Firefighting equipment  must include:

• drip torch
• hand tools
• hose and small gear
• knap sack
• pump
• tanker

and may also include:

• chainsaw
• ropes and lines

Firefighting strategies  must include:

• defensive
• direct attack
• indirect attack
• offensive:
• parallel attack

Firefighting tactics  may include:

• backburning
• burning out
• contol line construction
• mopping-up
• patrol
• use of extinguishing media

Suppression techniques  may include:

• dry firefighting
• wet firefighting

Wildfire hazards  may include:

• burns
• disorientation
• electrical installations and powerlines
• embers
• falling branches/trees
• fatigue
• heat related illness
• lack of visibility
• machinery/vehicle
• manual handling
• noise
• radiant heat
• smoke inhalation
• snake or insect bite
• sprain or fracture
• trips and falls
• water bombing operations

Communication  may include:

• paging
• personal contact
• phone
• radio
• written notes

Weather conditions  may include:

• atmospheric stability
• relative humidity
• temperature
• variations to wind speed and direction

Variations in topography  may include:

• aspect
• elevation
• landscape features
• slope

Fuel features  must include:

• arrangement/distribution
• moisture content
• quantity
• size
• type

Escape routes  may include:

• prepared tracks
• roads
• trails
• waterways

Safety zones  may include:

• bare ground
• burnt areas
• clearings
• rivers
• site of a recent wildfire or prescribed burn
• static water bodies

Support firefighting operations  may include:

• providing/transporting food, water and equipment for an incident
• working with earth moving equipment such as bulldozer, grader, tractor with blade

Consumables  may include:

• flagging tape
• fuel
• rubbish
• signs

Co-requisite Unit /s 

Nil