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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Manage fire prevention activities
   • Hazards, including dangerous goods onboard a vessel, are identified and appropriate action is implemented as determined by industry standard documentation
2. Legislative and company requirements and current industry standards relating to the maintenance and operation of fire detection, firefighting equipment and systems onboard a vessel are met and complied with
3. Inductions or other educational activities are organised to ensure awareness of causal factors of onboard fires, prevention methods and standard operating procedures (SOPs) when fire alarms are activated
4. Plan for fire emergencies
   • Vessel fire control plan is consulted to review and develop appropriate response to any fire
5. Contingencies are anticipated, planned for and practised
6. Evacuations are prepared for and practised according to regulatory requirements
7. Roles/functions of command and firefighting team members, as related to fire prevention and suppression, are established and reviewed according to regulatory and organisational requirements
8. Firefighting training exercises are developed and implemented according to regulatory and organisational requirements
9. Training exercises are prepared, practised and debriefed according to regulatory and organisational requirements, to ensure readiness for any fire emergency
10. Coordinate tactical firefighting activities in response to a fire emergency
    • Gathering of full and accurate information on the nature and extent of the fire by the command team is overseen
11. Order of priority and sequence of actions appropriate to the requirements of the incident is determined and communicated to the responding crew clearly and accurately
12. Evacuation of personnel, if appropriate, is conducted according to regulatory requirements
13. Search and rescue (SAR) operations are conducted using established marine firefighting best practice
14. Controlled ventilation techniques are correctly applied during fire suppression and rescue operations
15. Treatment of injured personnel is conducted in a timely manner and according to current best casualty management practice
16. Operational tactics are monitored for their effectiveness and adjusted, as required, to ensure best outcomes
17. Operational tactics are monitored to ensure vessel stability and dewatering integrity is maintained
18. All actions of shore-side firefighters involved in an onboard fire emergency while in port is coordinated and monitored effectively in accordance with ship and port regulations
19. Manage post-fire activities
    • Fire watch is coordinated to prevent re-ignition
20. Fire affected area is secured prior to investigation according to regulatory and organisational requirements
21. Equipment is maintained to operational condition, as applicable
22. Cause of the fire is investigated and determined according to regulatory and organisational requirements
23. Incident reports are completed according to regulatory and organisational requirements

Range Statement

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

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Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include: applying equipment restoration techniques, including: maintaining self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to industry standards cleaning recharging extinguishers according to Australian Standards re-stowing servicing communicating effectively with crew and passengers during fire emergencies determining the type and extent of the fire and initiating appropriate and timely actions ensuring order of priority, timing and sequence of actions are appropriate to the overall requirements of the incident and minimising damage and potential damage to the vessel, injuries to personnel, and impairment of the operational effectiveness of the vessel evaluating effectiveness of firefighting activities and tactics during fire emergencies initiating appropriate action and providing solutions to problems with firefighting equipment and operations during fire emergencies liaising with shore-based emergency organisations during fire emergencies managing fire prevention and suppression activities on a vessel managing onboard firefighting training for shipboard firefighting teams managing shipboard firefighting teams and their tactical activities during fire emergencies managing the maintenance of firefighting equipment and systems providing leadership to shipboard personnel and passengers during fire emergencies recognising and interpreting fire alarms and initiating appropriate response safeguarding personal safety during fire control activities at all times taking actions to control fires based on a full and accurate assessment of the incident, using all available sources of information transmitting information promptly, accurately, completely and clearly.

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Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of: assessment of cause of incidents involving fire chemistry of fire and its relationship to combustible materials typically found on vessels composition and allocation of personnel to fire parties control of fuel and electrical systems different classes of fire and the most appropriate extinguishing agents, application equipment and methods of extinguishment for each dewatering emergency sound signals fire control plan, including: applications of the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargo (BC) Code applications of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code communication strategy contingency plans for fires involving hazardous materials evacuation plan handling and treatment of injured personnel hazard control strategies liaison with shore-based agencies (such as environmental protection agencies, fire services, medical teams, port authorities) in port and at sea maritime communication techniques applicable to the management of fire prevention and firefighting activities onboard a vessel preparation of contingency plans search and rescue (SAR) operations strategies for shipboard firefighting management, including: control of fires in various parts of the ship oil, chemical and gas tankers ships carrying dangerous goods tactical methods for fighting fires involving hazardous materials tactical plan of action fire precautions and hazards associated with the storage and handling of materials (paints etc.) fire-detection systems, including: fixed fire-extinguishing systems portable and mobile fire-extinguishing systems, including: appliances pumps rescue, salvage, life-support, personal protective and communication equipment firefighting involving dangerous goods firefighting procedures at sea and in port, with particular emphasis on organisation, tactics and command firefighting process hazards, including dry distillation, chemical reactions, boiler uptake fires and exhaust fires hazards, including: contents of adjacent spaces dangerous goods electricity and wiring systems fires in water-tube boilers flammable or explosive atmospheres oxygen deficiency or enrichment physical obstructions poor visibility restricted access toxic liquids, solids, gases, vapours and dusts importance of communication and coordination during firefighting operations implications of shipboard firefighting management in port and the procedures that must be followed to comply with port and state/territory regulations importance of maintenance of fire detection and firefighting equipment onboard vessels, including: communication equipment complying with statutory and classification survey requirements fire and smoke alarms fire and smoke detection equipment fire main, hydrants, hoses, nozzles and pumps, including emergency fire pump firefighter’s outfits and other personal protective equipment (PPE) fixed fire-extinguishing equipment portable and mobile fire-extinguishing equipment, including appliances rescue and life support equipment salvage equipment life and health risks associated with fires on vessels management and control of injured persons methods for checking and replacing consumable materials in fire detection, firefighting equipment and systems onboard vessels muster list contents and location principle of operation of fixed fire suppression systems principles underlying the spread of fire and its extinguishment problems likely to be encountered during the management of a shipboard fire and related tactics and solutions that can be applied, including: change in fire behaviour or extent equipment failure or unavailability unexpected personnel involvement procedure for safe activation of fixed firefighting systems procedures for coordination of shore-based firefighters relevant regulations, codes of practice, policies and procedures relating to the maintenance of fire detection, firefighting equipment and systems onboard vessels requirements for onboard firefighting training requirements for statutory and classification surveys safety data sheets (SDS)/material safety data sheets (MSDS) relevant to the various products and substances carried on vessels ship general arrangement plan ship stability data strategies and tactics for control of fires in various parts of the vessel strategies for rapid briefing of shore-based emergency organisations using the vessel fire control plan the fire control plan contents and location types of fire detection, firefighting equipment and systems used on vessels, their features, principles of operation, the procedures for their use and remediating problems that can occur during use typical actions of passengers in a shipboard fire use of water for fire-extinguishing, the effect on ship stability, precautions and corrective procedures ventilation control, including smoke extraction work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and safe work practices.

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