Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:03 AM AWST
22/07/2026 5:03 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 wildfire
Respond to wildfire
Unit of competency
National Code
PUAFIR204B
PUAFIR204B
State Code
D3767
D3767
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Transition (Replaced)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
07/11/2014
Field of Education
039905 - Fire Technology
Original Release Date
07/11/2014
Nominal Hours
25
Description
This unit covers the competency required to respond to a wildfire, work as a safe and situationally-aware member of a crew to attack and extinguish a fire, participate in mop-up and patrol operations, and prepare equipment for the next crew.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
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 Evidencerelevant 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 firefightingequipment 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 strategiesand 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.
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
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
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
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
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C5766 | PUAFIR204A | Respond to wildfire | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAZ01 | PUAFIR204 | Respond to wildfire | Unit of competency |