Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Sources of relevant weather information may include:
air or ground observations
automated weather stations (fixed and portable)
Bureau of Meteorology websites and/or fire weather experts
emergency services and land managers
fire ground/operational personnel
media (newspapers, radio, internet)
persons with local knowledge
Meteorological data may include:
aerological diagrams
air temperature
barometric pressure
dewpoint
lightning
precipitation
radar images
relative humidity
satellite images
snowfall
synoptic charts
weather forecasts and warnings
weather model guidance
wind (speed, direction, gust)
Field observations may include:
cloud (type and cover)
dew point
fire behaviour (rate of spread, flame height and spotting)
fuel moisture content
temperature and relative humidity
wind speed, direction and gust
Weather forecasts may include:
district forecasts
fire weather forecasts
special/spot weather forecasts
temperature and relative humidity
warnings (fire weather, severe weather, thunderstorm)
Local weather influencesmost likely to affect fire weather conditions may include:
altitude /elevation
bodies of water
distance from coast
dry air subsidence inversion
Foehn winds
katabatic and anabatic winds
sea breezes and land breezes
slope and aspect
wind channelling
Weather analysis may include:
atmospheric stability
Bureau of Meteorology products and tools
diurnal cycles
drought indices
El Niño and La Niña effects
fire danger indices
Haines index
long-term weather cycles
seasonal cycles
smoke dispersion
southern oscillation index
temperature inversions
wind changes
Weather signs may include:
changes in air temperature
changes in barometric pressure changes
changes in wind direction and velocity
cloud formation and patterns
cold fronts
smoke behaviour from other recent fires in the area
thunderstorms
Fire behaviour may include:
fire perimeter
fire size/growth/shape
fire whirls
flame characteristics (height and depth)
heat output and intensity
junction zones
rate of spread
smoke
spotting

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:
provide (for use by the Incident Management Team to plan the control of a wildfire) an accurate analysis and projection of weather affecting a local area and the probable impact on fire behaviour.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time in actual and/or simulated workplace environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in an operational environment or in an agency-approved simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
range of actual or simulated conditions
range of sources of information related to weather conditions and fire behaviour
agency templates for weather recording
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