SKILL  KNOWLEDGE  SAFETY

PUAFIR204B - Respond to wildfire

Description

 This unit covers competency for responding to a wildfire when working as a member of a team, under direct supervision.

Pre Requisites

 PUAFIR201B Prevent injury

Application

The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Performance criteria
1. Prepare to respond to fire    
1.1 The location of fire and the most effective route to the fire are obtained taking into account local conditions
1.2 Protective clothing and equipment, food and fluid requirements are identified and relevant preparations undertaken prior to departure

2. Proceed to fire    
2.1 The location of the fire is confirmed on approach
2.2 Access to the area is gained with minimum injury to personnel or damage to vehicles, equipment or the environment
2.3 Evidence of fire cause is noted and brought to the attention of the supervisor

3. Obtain and use extinguishing media and equipment    
3.1 Nominated media and equipment are located and obtained
3.2 Equipment is used to deliver the nominated media in accordance with the organisation's and manufacturer's procedures

4. Combat wildfire    
4.1 Instructions are received, confirmed and implemented in accordance with the organisation's safe work practices and procedures
4.2 Equipment and extinguishing media used are appropriate to wildfire conditions
4.3 Control lines are prepared in accordance with the organisation's procedures
4.4 Equipment is positioned, made ready for use and protected from damage in accordance with the organisation's procedures
4.5 Fire is attacked taking into account wildfire hazards as directed and in accordance with the organisation's 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 the organisation's 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 the supervisor
5.3 Variations in terrain, fuel types and fuel arrangements are observed and the effect on fire behaviour is reported to the supervisor as required
5.4 A safe escape route or refuge is identified and maintained at all times
5.5 Communication is maintained with other firefighting personnel and the supervisor throughout operational activities

6. Participate in mop-up and patrol activities    
6.1 Mopping-up activities are carried out under direction in accordance with the organisation's procedures
6.2 Patrol of the perimeter or sector of the fire is maintained in accordance with the organisation's procedures

7. Assist in ancillary operations    
7.1 Activities to complement firefighting operations are carried out as directed and according to the organisation's procedure

8. Recover and store equipment    
8.1 Equipment and consumables are recovered as directed
8.2 Equipment is stored in accordance with the organisation's procedures
8.3 Cleaning and maintenance are carried out in accordance with the organisation's procedures

Required Skills & Knowledge

 Required Skills
  • use of wildfire control tools and equipment
  • undertaking dry and wet wildfire attack
  • detection of hot spots, stags, unsecured wildfire perimeter

Required Knowledge
  • fire behaviour
  • extinguishing media, water, foam, suppressants
  • knapsack
  • operating firefighting equipment
  • responding to wildfire
  • wildfire control tactics and techniques
  • wildfire hazards, safety techniques
  • fuel load, moisture content of fuel, topography, fireground signals
  • organisation's operating procedures
  • effects of wildfire on structures
  • awareness of health and fitness requirements

Range Statement

 Types of wildfire must include    
  • ground, surface, crown

Types of fuel may include    
  • grass
  • crop
  • forest
  • heath plantation
  • scrub

Fuel features must include    
  • type
  • size
  • arrangement/distribution
  • quantity
  • moisture content
  • topography
  • local fire conditions

Weather factors must include    
  • variations to wind speed and direction
  • relative humidity
  • temperature
  • atmospheric stability

Wildfire extinguishing media must include    
  • water

and may also include    
  • wetting agent
  • Class A foam
  • fire suppressants (short and long term)
  • earth
  • retardants

Wildfire extinguishing equipment must include    
  • tanker
  • hand tools
  • hose and small gear
  • pump

and may also include    
  • aircraft
  • ropes and lines
  • knap sack
  • chainsaw

Types of firefighting strategies must include    
  • offensive strategy
  • defensive strategy
  • flank attack
  • combined strategy
  • direct attack
  • parallel attack
  • indirect attack
  • combination attack

Wildfire hazards must include    
  • heat related illness
  • fatigue
  • smoke inhalation
  • burns
  • sprain or fracture
  • snake or insect bite
  • falling branches/trees
  • manual handling
  • trips/falls
  • disorientation
  • environmental
  • lack of visibility
  • water bombing operations

Variations in topography must include    
  • elevation
  • slope
  • aspect
  • landscape features
  • Access may be gained by    vehicle
  • aircraft
  • boat
  • foot

Information about access must be received by    
  • radio/phone
  • personal contact

and may also include    
  • map reference
  • Personal protective clothing and equipment must include    turnout uniform and gloves
  • eye protection
  • hearing protection
  • respiratory protection

and may also include    
  • protective hoods
  • accessories as per organisational standards

Ancillary activities may include    
  • provision/transportation of food, water and equipment for an incident
  • working with earth moving equipment such as bulldozer, grader, tractor with blade

Evidence Guide

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit    
For this unit it is essential that competence be demonstrated by:
reacting to changing wildfire behaviour due to changes in weather, topography and fuel conditions
participating in dry wildfire control
use of extinguishing media in wildfire control
maintaining health and safety of self, other workers and people in the immediate work area
participating in mop-up and patrol
undertaking operational activities safely

Consistency in performance
Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments
Context of and specific resources for assessment    

Context of assessment
A combination of oral or written presentation, observationon the job or in a simulated wildfire (grass, crop, scrub, forest) environment

Specific resources for assessment
access to controlled or contained fires
availability of wildfire control equipment

Guidance information for assessment     
Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

Newsletter

Follow Us

Login


Copyright © 2011
Risk Response + Rescue
All Rights Reserved

Terms & Conditions
Disclaimer
Privacy Policy
Imprint