Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:54 PM AWST

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Determine origin and cause of wildfire

Determine origin and cause of wildfire

Unit of competency
National Code
PUAFIR603A
State Code
WG155
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
3.00
Current Release Date
02/05/2013
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
21/03/2013
Field of Education
039905 - Fire Technology
Original Release Date
21/03/2013
Nominal Hours
55
Description
This unit covers the competency required to undertake wildfire scene examination and assessment to determine the path, origin and cause of a wildfire based on fire behaviour, weather conditions, topography and fuel load.It includes identifying and recovering evidence relevant to a wildfire investigation, packaging items of evidence for examination and conducting an analysis of evidence to identify the cause and origin of a wildfire. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Coordinate wildfire investigation
  • 1.1 Roles and responsibilities of supportpersonnel from the various agencies in a wildfire investigation are confirmed
  • 1.2 Cooperation of personnel from a range of agencies consistent with their designated roles and responsibilities for a wildfire investigation is achieved
  • 1.3 Information required by fire investigator from personnel from other agencies is identified, sought and received
  • 1.4 Activities of all personnel involved are coordinated to enable an efficient and effective investigation
  • 1.5 Protective clothing and equipment are used in accordance with agency procedures
  • 1.6 Occupational health and safety procedures appropriate to the incident are followed
2. Secure fire scene and preserve evidence
  • 2.1 Legal obligations of fire investigators are adhered to throughout the investigation
  • 2.2 Methods of scene security prior to examination are implemented
  • 2.3 Procedures to monitor and log access to a wildfire scene are established and applied
  • 2.4 Strategies for locating, collecting and processing evidence are implemented
  • 2.5 Methods of preservation of evidence at a wildfire scene are implemented
  • 2.6 Scene is protected from unnecessary damage, destruction or contamination
3. Conduct scene investigation
  • 3.1 Investigation activities are coordinated with the Incident Controller, when active fire management operations are still occurring in relation to the incident
  • 3.2 Fire incident information, data and records are collected and assessed
  • 3.3 Witness information and other related information is obtained in accordance with jurisdictional requirements
  • 3.4 Survey of scene is conducted to identify hazards and to preserve areas or items of evidential value
  • 3.5 Effect of fuels, weather and topography on wildfire development and spread are identified
  • 3.6 Effects of firefighting actions on fire scene and investigation are assessed
  • 3.7 Scene is reviewed to determine areas of interest and to record observation of factors which may have a bearing on the determination of the origin, cause or development of a wildfire
  • 3.8 Physical indicators relating to the path of fire travel or development of the wildfire are identified, assessed and recorded
  • 3.9 Indicators of damage or destruction of assets caused by wildfire are identified
  • 3.10 Origin and cause determination options are developed and assessed using a scientific method
  • 3.11 Cause of the fire, based on recognised cause categories, is determined by wildfire investigation
4. Identify and collect evidence to investigate a wildfire
  • 4.1 Control, comparison and residual samples are identified and extracted according to agency requirements
  • 4.2 Samples are protected to avoid contamination and to ensure continuity of evidence
  • 4.3 Samples are recorded, collected packaged and secured in accordance with continuity of evidence protocols and procedures
  • 4.4 Procedures for capturing fire scene records are implemented
  • 4.5 Forensic and physical evidence is interpreted
  • 4.6 Agency and legal reports and requirements are implemented
5. Analyse information to determine origin and cause of fire
  • 5.1 Collected information and evidence is analysed and interpreted
  • 5.2 Findings are reported and documented according to required practice and agency policy
  • 5.3 Evidence is secured for subsequent action
  • 5.4 Wildfire investigation report is completed and forwarded to appropriate authorities/stakeholders
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.
Support personnel may include:
Government and private forensic chemists
Insurance investigators and assessors
Statutory bodies
Technical specialists (e.g. fire behaviour, meteorological experts)
Agencies may include:

Coronial services
Electrical authorities
Fire services
Gas authorities
Insurance investigators and assessors
Land management agencies
Other statutory authorities
Police
State/territory forensic services
Evidence collection may include:
Admissibility
Collection and preservation
Continuity
Identification
Witnesses may include:
Emergency services personnel
Members of statutory agencies
Members of the public
Property owners/occupants
Origin and cause determination must include:
Burn indicators:
advancing/head fire
backing/heel fire
lateral/flanking fire
grass stem indicators
protection indicators
transition zone
damage differential indicators
foliage/leaf freeze indicators
angle of char indicators
depth of char indicators
ash indicators
cupping indicators
curling indicators
die-out pattern indicators
sooting indicators
staining indicators
V-Pattern indicators
Identification of ignition sources
Scene observation and interpretation
Scene processing
Wildfire behaviour factors (weather, fuel load and topography)
Wildfire spread
Fire scene records may include:
Audio
Maps
Meteorological records
Notes
Photography (thermal, digital, multimedia, closed circuit television [CCTV], other media images)
Sketches and plans
Critical aspects of assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
identify area/point of origin and suspected cause of fire
apply relevant laws, legislation, codes of practice and standards to fire investigation
apply a systematic approach to the examination of wildfire scenes based on scientific method
interpret and analyse forensic data and physical evidence
conduct interviews appropriately and accurately record information.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time and across a range of workplace and/or simulated situations.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace and in a simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to gathering and managing evidence
case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of offences likely to occur for which evidence needs to be gathered and managed.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit may include a combination of:
case studies
demonstration
observation
questioning
scenarios
authenticated evidence from the workplace.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OAY41 PUAFIR603 Determine origin and cause of wildfire Unit of competency
No information