Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 4:57 AM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Respond to urban fire

Respond to urban fire

Unit of competency
National Code
PUAFIR203B
State Code
D5561
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
13/03/2013
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
07/11/2014
Field of Education
039905 - Fire Technology
Original Release Date
07/11/2014
Nominal Hours
16
Description
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.
Notes
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 firefightingand ancillaryactivities.
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 recordappropriateincident information.
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
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.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C5785 PUAFIR203A Respond to urban fire Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OAZ02 PUAFIR203 Respond to urban fire Unit of competency