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

This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to operate a range of aviation support equipment related to the loading and transfer of fuels and the mixing and loading of aerial suppressants (consumables) for use in firefighting operations.

The unit applies to personnel such as aircraft officers, airbase managers and support crews who are responsible for operating aviation support equipment used to transfer and/or load fuel. They will use a variety of electronic, mechanical and handheld pumps, internal and external foam injection systems, tools and mixing equipment.

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 unit at the time of publication.

It is essential that the prerequisite units listed below are obtained prior to the issuance of this unit to individuals within the fire sector or the units contributing to the attainment of a fire qualification.

PUAFIR209 Work safely around aircraft

Fire

Fire

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1  

Prepare equipment for operations 

1.1 

Requirements for aviation support equipment operation are identified and confirmed with relevant personnel

1.2 

Hazards that will impact on operation of aviation support equipment are identified and evaluated

1.3 

Personal protective clothing and equipment is selected and used, in accordance with organisational procedures and Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements

1.4 

Availability of safety equipment, its accessibility and currency of maintenance are confirmed with relevant personnel

1.5 

Aviation support equipment is selected, assembled and set up, in accordance with regulator requirements, organisational procedures and manufacturers' specifications

1.6 

Aerial firefighting consumables are checked to ensure they are the correct type, that packaging is free from damage, that they are not leaking, are sealed correctly and are within the use by date

1.7 

Ancillary equipment and consumables are transported and stored, in accordance with regulator requirements, organisational procedures and manufacturers' specifications

1.8 

All equipment is inspected, tested and adjusted, as required, to ensure safe operation

1.9 

Consumables are opened and inspected for contaminants, under pilot supervision, if required

1.10 

Contaminated products are identified, marked accordingly and removed

1.11 

Information is documented, maintained and reported, in accordance with organisational procedures

2 

Operate equipment 

2.1 

Aircraft is guided to position for refuelling operations and is approached on pilot approval

2.2 

Equipment is connected to aircraft and operated, in accordance with organisational procedures, ensuring quality and consistency of product

2.3 

Equipment is used, in accordance with regulator requirements, organisational procedures, manufacturers' specifications and WHS/OHS guidelines

2.4 

Quality assurance checks are conducted on consumables to be transferred and adjustments are made, if required

2.5 

Consumables are transferred to the aircraft using loading equipment with pilot approval, in accordance with organisational procedures and WHS/OHS requirements

2.6 

Area of operations is monitored to ensure safety of personnel

2.7 

Operation of equipment is monitored and adjusted to reflect changed conditions and operational requirements

2.8 

Equipment is disconnected at completion of transfer on pilot approval and is cleared, in accordance with permit issued for aircraft to depart

2.9 

Appropriate action is taken to rectify faults or deficiencies in the operation of equipment

2.10 

Communication is maintained throughout operations with appropriate personnel

3 

Conclude operations and restore equipment 

3.1 

Excess consumables and waste products are stored and disposed of, in accordance with organisational procedures, regulator requirements and manufacturers' specifications

3.2 

Servicing and maintaining of equipment is undertaken, within scope of authority

3.3 

Faults in equipment are documented and forwarded for rectification, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.4 

All equipment is stowed or forwarded for repairs, as appropriate

3.5 

Documentation related to maintenance or damage to equipment is completed and reported, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.6 

Site selected for aviation support equipment operations is cleared and restored, in accordance with organisational procedures

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

This unit replaces and is equivalent to PUAFIR313B Operate aviation support equipment.

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

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and includes

• applying Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) organisational requirements including risk mitigation, emergency procedures, identifying potential hazards and personal protective clothing and equipment
• clearing and restoring sites used for support equipment
• communicating with and working in a team
• concluding operations and restoring equipment including maintaining, servicing and/or repairing equipment
• following organisational policies and implementing organisational procedures including codes of practice, work instructions and quality assurance procedures
• guiding aircrafts to position
• identifying and using equipment whilst adhering to safe work practices
• minimising damage to aircraft and equipment
• operating equipment
• preparing aviation support equipment for operations
• reporting accidents and incidents
• transferring consumables safely to aircraft
• using loading equipment

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and includes knowledge of

• air marshalling procedures
• aviation support equipment
• characteristics and limitations of aviation support equipment
• communication methods and techniques
• mechanical knowledge to assist in the servicing and maintenance of equipment
• organisational documentation, policies and procedures including reporting arrangements
• operational support
• potential hazards and their impact on aircraft refuelling operations
• procedures for the transfer of consumables including aerial suppressants
• quality assurance processes
• restoring aviation support sites
• requirements for loading equipment
• safety around aircraft
• types of aircraft including fixed and rotary wing
• Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) organisational requirements including risk mitigation, emergency procedures, safe working practices and personal protective clothing and equipment

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations. Where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in industry approved simulated workplace operational situations that reflect workplace conditions.

Resources for assessment must include access to

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations
• relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective clothing and equipment currently used in industry including

• aerial support equipment
• aircraft
• appropriate tools for testing, maintaining and inspecting equipment
• area to conduct operations
• safe disposal facilities

• applicable documentation including organisational procedures, industry standards, equipment specifications, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.