Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:39 PM AWST
22/07/2026 8:39 PM 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.
Operate specialist appliance
Operate specialist appliance
Unit of competency
National Code
PUAFIR318
PUAFIR318
State Code
WG119
WG119
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
25/06/2013
Field of Education
039905 - Fire Technology
Original Release Date
25/06/2013
Nominal Hours
35
Description
This unit covers the competency required to operate a specialist appliance at an incident. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Site appliance
- 1.1 Hazards which impact on the safe working operations of the appliance and ancillary equipment are identified and appliance is sited to minimise its impact in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 1.2 Appliance is positioned to support operational requirements in accordance with organisational procedures and to prevent injury to personnel or damage to equipment and facilities.
- 1.3 Personal protective clothing and equipment are selected and worn in accordance with organisational and work health and safety (WHS) requirements.
- 1.4 Personnel using appliance equipment are deployed in accordance with organisational standard operating procedures and WHS guidelines.
2. Operate appliance
- 2.1 Appliance is operated in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturer specifications.
- 2.2 Safe clearances are maintained to ensure that personnel are not injured by the operation of the appliance.
- 2.3 Performance of the appliance is monitored and adjusted, where required, in response to changed conditions and to achieve determined strategies and objectives.
- 2.4 Action is taken to rectify any deficiencies in the operation of the appliance, where possible.
- 2.5 Appliance is operated in a manner to prevent injury to personnel or damage to equipment and facilities.
- 2.6 Fire spread, onsite hazards and atmospheric conditions and their potential impact on the specialist appliance operations are monitored and relevant information is referred to appropriate personnel.
- 2.7 Communication is established and maintained with the appropriate personnel throughout the operation.
3. Conclude operations
- 3.1 Ancillary equipment is collected and restowed in accordance with organisational requirements and WHS guidelines.
- 3.2 Servicing, maintaining, cleaning and repairing equipment is undertaken in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 3.3 Appliance is checked and maintained, and any faults or deficiencies are 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.
Hazards may include:
atmospheric conditions such as wind direction/strength
fire explosion
fire spread
hazardous atmospheres, such as smoke and toxic gases
structural collapse
Safe working operations may include:
compliance with
manufacturer specifications
organisational operational procedures
WHS guidelines
Appliance may include:
breathing apparatus unit
catering/refreshment unit
command unit
firefighting appliance (non-water or foam)
foam/water tender
HAZMAT response unit
hose layer
lighting unit
rescue tender
salvage unit
Ancillary equipment may include:
breathing apparatus and servicing
communications
decontamination
firefighting
forcible entry tools
lighting
rescue
Personal protective clothing and equipment may include:
breathing apparatus (self-contained or airline)
chemical splash suits
eye and ear protection
gas suit
helmet and gloves
structural firefighter turnout clothing
Appropriate personnel may include:
appliance supervisor
communications officer
incident controller
officer in charge
operations centre personnel
safety officer
sector commander
Communication may include:
hand signals
radio communications
verbal instructions
whistle signals
Servicing and maintaining equipment may include:
fault finding and rectification
liaising with specialist personnel
replacement of parts
security procedures
service, cleaning and maintenance according to manufacturer specifications
stripping and assembling equipment
Hazards may include:
atmospheric conditions such as wind direction/strength
fire explosion
fire spread
hazardous atmospheres, such as smoke and toxic gases
structural collapse
Safe working operations may include:
compliance with
manufacturer specifications
organisational operational procedures
WHS guidelines
Appliance may include:
breathing apparatus unit
catering/refreshment unit
command unit
firefighting appliance (non-water or foam)
foam/water tender
HAZMAT response unit
hose layer
lighting unit
rescue tender
salvage unit
Ancillary equipment may include:
breathing apparatus and servicing
communications
decontamination
firefighting
forcible entry tools
lighting
rescue
Personal protective clothing and equipment may include:
breathing apparatus (self-contained or airline)
chemical splash suits
eye and ear protection
gas suit
helmet and gloves
structural firefighter turnout clothing
Appropriate personnel may include:
appliance supervisor
communications officer
incident controller
officer in charge
operations centre personnel
safety officer
sector commander
Communication may include:
hand signals
radio communications
verbal instructions
whistle signals
Servicing and maintaining equipment may include:
fault finding and rectification
liaising with specialist personnel
replacement of parts
security procedures
service, cleaning and maintenance according to manufacturer specifications
stripping and assembling equipment
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:
operate appliances safely and competently
avoid hazards
implement safe work practices.
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 or in a simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
organisational specialist appliances
site suitable for assessment
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
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
operate appliances safely and competently
avoid hazards
implement safe work practices.
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 or in a simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
organisational specialist appliances
site suitable for assessment
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| D2994 | PUAFIR310B | Operate aerial or specialist appliance | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAY80 | PUAFIR310 | Operate specialist appliance | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J546 | PUA30613 | Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations) | Qualification |