Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
24/07/2026 6:42 AM 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 heavy plant in fire control operations

Operate heavy plant in fire control operations

Unit of competency
National Code
PUAFIR321
State Code
WG122
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
02/05/2013
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
19/06/2013
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
19/06/2013
Nominal Hours
16
Description
This unit covers the competency required to apply heavy plant operation skills to the specific circumstances of fire operations including fire control line construction; clearing vehicle turnarounds, passing bays and safety zones; and constructing helipads in forest and/or scrub environments. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Use and service machines
  • 1.1 Machine is set up, maintained and serviced to ensure safe operation in forest environments and that it is free of soil and water borne disease and weeds, prior to and after use.
  • 1.2 Effective communication is established with supervisor, team members and support vehicle/s.
  • 1.3 Safe procedures are employed when using the machine to construct a fire control line.
  • 1.4 Machine is parked safely and securely when not in operation.
  • 1.5 Personal protective clothing and equipment are worn and used in accordance with agency requirements.
2. Construct fire control line
  • 2.1 Topographical and vegetation factors are considered when selecting a route for construction of a fire control line.
  • 2.2 Environmental, agricultural,cultural and heritage factors are considered when selecting a route for construction of fire control line.
  • 2.3 Fire control line is constructed directly on the fire’s edge or away from the fire’s edge taking into account weather conditions and/or changes in fire behaviour to meet fire suppression requirements.
  • 2.4 Hazards are identified and considered when selecting route and construction of fire control line.
  • 2.5 Debris from fire control line construction is appropriately placed to facilitate fire suppression works and reduce environmental impacts.
  • 2.6 Fire control line is constructed to standards suitable for fire control purposes and for vehicle access as required.
  • 2.7 Turning areas, passing bays and safety zones are constructed as directed.
3. Prepare, mop-up and rehabilitate area
  • 3.1 Helipads are constructed as required.
  • 3.2 Fire preparation works are conducted to specified standards.
  • 3.3 Mop-up works are conducted to specified standards in coordination with crews.
  • 3.4 Rehabilitation works are conducted to specified standards.
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.
Machines may include:
bulldozer
excavator
front end loader
skidder
Safe procedures may include:
applying safe work practices
assisting vehicles and personnel working with machines
communicating with fire control line supervisors and support vehicles
maintaining contact and cooperation with support vehicles
position in relation to live fire edge and fire intensity
survival techniques in burn over situations
wearing appropriate personal protective equipment
wearing seatbelts in the cabin
working within the limits of machine capability
Topographical and vegetation factors may include:
density and condition of vegetation adjacent to fire control line
proximity of hazardous trees
proximity to and crossing of, drainage lines and creeks
rockiness of terrain
soil type
steepness of terrain
Environmental factors may include:

presence of species sensitive to disturbance
presence of or sensitivity to, environmental diseases or weeds that may be spread by machines
protection of flora and fauna habitat
rock outcrops and caves
reference/research areas
soil disturbance and erosion
water quality
Agricultural factors may include:
access tracks
crops
dams/waterways (affected by erosion)
fences
pastures
stock
Cultural and heritage factors may include:

aboriginal sites
historic sites
structures and earthworks
Hazards may include:
falling trees and branches
heat, dust, smoke
hot ash
power lines
roads
rock outcrops and caves
structures
Standards may include:
construction of one-way tracks (down-hill only)
cross-slope limitations
dimensions of vehicle turnarounds, passing bays and safety zones
dispersal of material by not creating windrows
distance between turnarounds
steepness limitations
trafficability for vehicles required to use fire control line
width of fire control line
Preparation and mop-up may include:
breaking up burning heaps
clearing vegetation from around trees
dimensions and/or standard of construction of helipads
providing access for fire crews
pushing material into the burnt area
scrub rolling
Rehabilitation works may include:

breach and barring tracks
breaking up heaps and mounds
dragging material over fire control line
removing material from creek and drainage lines
ripping compacted areas
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:
construct a fire control line in forest and/or scrub environments
construct a fire control line adjacent to and at a distance from, live fire edge
effectively and efficiently select routes for fire control line construction
effectively cooperate with support vehicles
effectively communicate with supervisor and other members of the team
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time; some performance criteria may be performed in a simulated wildfire environment.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in an operational environment or in a field-based simulated environment; Element 2 should be assessed in a forest and/or scrub environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
machinery
communications equipment
support personnel
Method of assessment
Assessment should be conducted by direct observation in either the workplace (through recorded subject matter supervision and/or mentoring) or the training environment.
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-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
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OAY72 PUAFIR325 Operate heavy plant in fire control operations Unit of competency
No information