PUAFIR203B Respond to urban fire

Release 2

PUAFIR203B Respond to urban fire

Modification History

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

Unit Descriptor

This unit covers the competency for responding to an urban fire where offensive and defensive strategies are used, when working as a member of a team, under direct supervision.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Application of the Unit

This unit applies to personnel who work as a member of a team. Work at this level is undertaken under direct supervision and instruction.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Not applicable.

Pre-Requisites

PUAFIR207B Operate breathing apparatus open circuit

Employability Skills Information

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

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.

Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

Required Skills and Knowledge

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

Evidence Guide

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.

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.
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

Unit Sector(s)

Not applicable.

Corequisite Unit/s

Not applicable.