Elements and Performance Criteria

Types of fire must include
structures and non-structure fires
mobile property fires
industrial complex
fires involving electricity
multi storey structures
and may also include
ship fires
fires involving fuels and chemicals

Combustion processes must include
spontaneous heating, combustion and ignition

Hazardous substances and materials must include
those defined by the Australian Dangerous Goods Code

Reports may include
initial reports at scene
status reports
reports of achievement during firefighting (eg. completion of rescue, fire under control, etc)
situation reports (Sitreps)
reports of significant changes in conditions

Firefighting media must include
water
extinguishing powders
vaporising liquids
foams
gaseous extinguishing agents
and may also include
other fire extinguishing substances

Equipment must include
hoses and hose fittings
branches, nozzles and monitors
ladders and rope lines
forcible entry tools
hand tools
stand-pipes, hydrants and booster connections
small gear and ancillary equipment
salvage gear
ventilation equipment
breathing apparatus and control equipment
radios
portable lighting
fire extinguishers

Firefighting considerations must include
type of fire
fire exposures
topography
size of fire
weather
available firefighting resources
extinguishing media
signs of structural collapse

Firefighting strategies must include
rescuing occupants
protecting exposures
confining the spread of fire
extinguishment
salvage and overhaul
ventilation
finding evidence of fire cause

Firefighting methods and tactics must include
cooling the fuels
interrupting the chemical chain reaction
removal of fuels
exclusion of oxygen
ventilation

Firefighting activities must include
locating and accessing the fire
search and rescue
anticipation of fire behaviour
ensuring safety
application of extinguishing media
application techniques to maximise the effect and minimise the damage
identifying evidence of fire cause

Firefighting techniques must include
defensive mode
offensive mode
direct attack
indirect attack
combination attack
overhead
direction of attack

Access methods may include
forcible entry
normal entry
roof access from ladders and/or aerial appliance

Personal protective clothing and equipment must include
chemical protective clothing
distress alarms
structural fire protective clothing
breathing apparatus

Ancillary activities may include
guarding against hazards
making-up equipment
protection of the ignition site
securing the area
overhaul
supply of materials
patrol
draining water run off

Structures to be ventilated must include
multi-storey buildings
warehouses and factories
shopping complexes
residential buildings
outbuildings
hotels, hostels, accommodation
basements, tunnels and subways
and may also include
ships
marine structures and vessels
road and rail vehicles

Ventilation techniques must include
natural
horizontal
hydraulic
mechanical
vertical

Ventilation may be carried out to
facilitate the evacuation of occupants
assist in fire suppression activities
maximise visibility within a structure
provide clear air
prevent a build up of toxic or explosive atmospheres
minimise damage

Environmental damage may include
air
water
soil
hazards to flora and fauna

Critical aspects of evidence
It is essential for this unit that competence be demonstrated by:
working effectively in a team;
recognising fire behaviour and the impact of firefighting tactics;
conducting firefighting operations in accordance with the organisation's safe work practices;
applying strategies and tactics such as rescue, exposures, confinement, extinguishment, overhaul, ventilation and salvage.

Interdependent assessment of units
Pre-requisite units:
PUAFIR203A Respond to urban fire
PUAEME002A Manage injuries at emergency incident
Co-requisite units:
PUATEA002A Work autonomously
PUALAW001A Protect and preserve incident scene

Underpinning knowledge
procedures for reporting and recording incident details
firefighting media and their suitability for the different classes of fire
firefighting strategies and methods of attack for extinguishing fire in a range of structures
use of firefighting equipment and application techniques
fire behaviour and the factors which impact on its spread
personal protective clothing and equipment (including breathing apparatus) requirements
appropriate procedures for breathing apparatus control
work as a member of a team to attack and extinguish fire

Underpinning skills
applying a range of extinguishing media to fire
operating a range of firefighting equipment
operating breathing apparatus
applying natural and mechanical ventilation techniques to structures
salvage and overhaul

Resource implications
access to a range of controlled or simulated fires
firefighting equipment
BA control equipment
extinguishing media

Consistency of performance
Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.

Context of assessment
A combination of oral or written presentations, observation on the job and/or in a simulated environment.