Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 12:01 PM AWST

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Suppress wildfire

Suppress wildfire

Unit of competency
National Code
PUAFIR303A
State Code
C5765
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
09/02/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
08/05/2003
Field of Education
039905 - Fire Technology
Original Release Date
08/05/2003
Nominal Hours
35
Description
This unit covers competency while working as a member of a team when suppressing a wildfire and is often undertaken without direct supervision.This unit covers competency while working as a member of a team when suppressing a wildfire and is often undertaken without direct supervision
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Receive and report details of wildfire
  • 1.1 Details of the fire's location and development of the fire are received and recorded
  • 1.2 Fire details are reported in accordance with the organisation's procedures
2 Prepare to respond to fire
  • 2.1 The location of and access to the wildfire are confirmed and the most effective route is ascertained
  • 2.2 Required organisational equipment, protective clothing, apparel, food and water required are assessed and procured before departure
  • 2.3 The most appropriate method of transport to the wildfire is selected and used
3 Proceed to fire
  • 3.1 The location of the wildfire is confirmed from observation or by direction while on approach
  • 3.2 Access to area is determined and achieved with minimum injury to personnel or damage to vehicles, equipment or environmentally sensitive areas
  • 3.3 The safety of people in the wildfire area is assessed and monitored
  • 3.4 Evidence of the wildfire cause is noted and brought to the attention of the appropriate authority
  • 3.5 Navigational tools are used for planning and operational purposes
4 Protect people
  • 4.1 As far as conditions allow, the number and location of people in the threatened area is determined
  • 4.2 Appropriate evacuation or non-evacuation protocols are identified and applied or advised to persons in the path of a wildfire
  • 4.3 Access to hazardous locations is controlled
  • 4.4 The safe defensibility of property is evaluated and assistance is provided to help occupiers
  • 4.5 Advice and support is provided to occupiers in helping them safely defend their property
  • 4.6 The safety of people in the threatened area is monitored during the course of the fire
  • 4.7 The safety of people in the area is checked and confirmed after the passing of the fire
5 Combat wildfire
  • 5.1 Media and equipment are selected and used to allow wildfire control operations to be conducted effectively and safely in accordance with the organisation's procedures and OH&S procedures
  • 5.2 The most suitable location from which to use equipment to commence wildfire control operations is selected
  • 5.3 Access to the selected area of operations is gained in the safest and most effective manner
  • 5.4 Fire hazards are identified and action taken to minimise the risk of injury to the public, personnel and self
  • 5.5 Fire control strategies and tactics are employed to achieve the objectives in accordance with the organisation's procedures
  • 5.6 Fire control activities undertaken minimise overall damage and impact on the environment
  • 5.7 Potential fire behaviour is considered and acted upon to ensure safety and achievement of objective
  • 5.8 Fuel, weather and topographical factors are observed and potential fire behaviour anticipated
  • 5.9 The effectiveness of tactics employed is reported to the supervisor
  • 5.10 Area of origin and evidence of fire cause is protected and brought to attention of supervisor or relevant authority
  • 5.11 Safe egress and/or refuge from the fire is identified and communicated to personnel
6 Conduct mop-up and patrol activities
  • 6.1 Mop-up and patrol activities are carried out effectively and safely to the distance determined by the Incident Controller
  • 6.2 Patrol of the perimeter or sector of the fire is maintained in accordance with the organisation's procedures and guidelines
7 Recover and maintain equipment
  • 7.1 Equipment is made up and made ready for operational use in accordance with the organisation's procedures
  • 7.2 Damaged or missing equipment is replaced, recorded and/or reported in accordance with the organisation's procedures
Types of wildfire must include
ground surface and crown fire

Fuel types may include
grass
crop
forest
plantation
heath

Fuel features which will impact on fire development must include
type
size
arrangement/distribution
quantity
seasonal effects
effects of drought
moisture content

Wildfire extinguishing media must include
water
and may also include
wetting agents
Class A foam
fire suppressants (short and long term)/earth
retardants

Wildfire extinguishing equipment must include
tanker
hand tool
hose and small gear
pump
and may also include
aircraft
ropes and lines
knap sack
chainsaw

Types of firefighting strategies must include
offensive strategy
defensive strategy
combined strategy
direct attack
parallel attack
indirect attack
flank attack
combination attack
reconnaissance
mop-up
patrol

Access methods may include by
vehicle
aircraft
boat
foot

Topographic factors which may impact on fire development must include
elevation
slope
wind turbulence
local wind effects
botanical effects
aspect

Weather factors which may impact on fire development must include
wind direction and speed
wind changes
temperature
relative humidity
atmospheric stability
cold fronts
local effects
adiabatic winds
katabatic winds
sea breezes
land breezes

Personal protective clothing and equipment must include
turnout uniform and gloves
eye protection
hearing protection
respiratory protection
and may also include
protective hoods
accessories as per organisational standards

Ancillary activities may include
provision and transport of food, water, fuel and equipment of an incident
aircraft operations
working with earthmoving equipment

Navigational aids must include
maps
compass
and may also include
geographical information systems
global positioning satellites
aerial photographs

Wildfire hazards must include
heat-related illness (heat exhaustion and dehydration)
fatigue
smoke inhalation
burns
sprain or fracture
trips/falls
snake or insect bite
lack of visibility
falling branches and trees
rolling objects
falling objects
manual handling
disorientation
water bombing operation
environmental

Fire behaviour is evidenced by
rate of spread
flame height and intensity
spotting
fire development
terrain, topography
fuel load and arrangement
weather conditions - winds, fire whirls
Critical aspects of evidence
For this unit it is essential that competence be demonstrated by:
anticipating and reacting to changing wildfire behaviour
observing and reacting to weather behaviour
undertaking dry wildfire control activity
use of extinguishing media
maintaining health and safety of self, other workers and people in the wildfire area
completing mop-up and patrol
reading maps and navigation

Interdependent assessment of units
Pre-requisite units:
PUAFIR204A Respond to wildfire
Co-requisite units:
Nil

Underpinning knowledge
Firefighting Protocols
organisation policy; direct, indirect, parallel attack; wet, dry firefighting; backburning (ground, aerial); control lines and firebreaks; defensive firefighting tactics
Fire attack procedures
standard operating procedures; reporting; patrol; mop-up; briefings/instructions; identification of cause
Safety
organisation first-aid requirements; fireground hazards; procedures for dealing with injury; safety near vehicles and machines; briefings; team work
Fuel and its impact on fire behaviour
moisture content, quantity, type, arrangement and distribution, size, drought effects, curing
Fire behaviour
rate of spread, flame height and intensity, spotting, fire development, junction zones
Topography and its impact on fire behaviour
slope, aspect, physical features, turbulence
Weather factors which impact on fire behaviour
wind direction and speed
wind changes
temperature
relative humidity
atmospheric stability

Underpinning skills
wildfire control and suppression; back burning; use of wildfire control tools and equipment;
map reading and interpretation;
detection of hot spots, stags,
unsecured wildfire perimeter,
mop-up activities

Resource implications
access to controlled fires
availability of wildfire control equipment

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 presentation, observation, on the job and/or in a range of simulated environments.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
D2989 PUAFIR303B Suppress wildfire Unit of competency
No information