This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to manage firefighting and fire prevention activities onboard a vessel (advanced firefighting).

It applies to deck and engine officers who are required to manage firefighting activities onboard a vessel.

This unit applies to people working in the maritime industry in the capacity of:

Chief Integrated Rating

Electro-Technical Officer (STCW Electro-Technical Officer Unlimited)

Engineer Class 3 Near Coastal

Engineer Watchkeeper (STCW Engineer Watchkeeper Unlimited)

Master of a commercial vessel less than 500 gross tonnage (GT)

Master of a commercial vessel less than 80 metres in length within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ)

Master of a commercial vessel Unlimited

Watchkeeper Deck.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

This unit is equivalent to and delivers the objectives of the following STCW provisions:

STCW Reg VI/3 and Code Section A-VI/3 (1-4), Table A-VI/3.

Legislative and regulatory requirements are applicable to this unit.

Regulatory requirements include STCW International Maritime Organisation Organization (IMO) model course competencies and areas of knowledge, understanding and proficiency, together with the estimated total hours required for lectures and practical exercises. Teaching staff should note that timings are suggestions only and should be adapted to suit individual groups of trainees depending on their experience, ability, equipment and staff available for training.

Near Coastal Qualifications:

This unit is one of the requirements to obtain Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) certification as an Engineer Class 3 Near Coastal or Master less than 80 metres Near Coastal as defined in the Marine Order 505 (Certificates of competency - National Law) 2013.

Blue Waters Qualifications:

This unit is one of the requirements to obtain AMSA certification as a Chief Integrated Rating, Electro-Technical Officer (STCW Electro-Technical Officer Unlimited), Engineer Watchkeeper (STCW Engineer Watchkeeper Unlimited), Master of a commercial vessel less than 500 gross tonnage (GT), Master Unlimited or Watchkeeper Deck and to meet regulatory requirements this unit must be delivered consistent with Marine Orders and with the relevant sections of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Manage fire prevention activities

1.1

Hazards, including dangerous goods onboard a vessel, are identified and appropriate action is implemented as determined by industry standard documentation

1.2

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

1.3

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

2

Plan for fire emergencies

2.1

Vessel fire control plan is consulted to review and develop appropriate response to any fire

2.2

Contingencies are anticipated, planned for and practised

2.3

Evacuations are prepared for and practised according to regulatory requirements

2.4

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

2.5

Firefighting training exercises are developed and implemented according to regulatory and organisational requirements

2.6

Training exercises are prepared, practised and debriefed according to regulatory and organisational requirements, to ensure readiness for any fire emergency

3

Coordinate tactical firefighting activities in response to a fire emergency

3.1

Gathering of full and accurate information on the nature and extent of the fire by the command team is overseen

3.2

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

3.3

Evacuation of personnel, if appropriate, is conducted according to regulatory requirements

3.4

Search and rescue (SAR) operations are conducted using established marine firefighting best practice

3.5

Controlled ventilation techniques are correctly applied during fire suppression and rescue operations

3.6

Treatment of injured personnel is conducted in a timely manner and according to current best casualty management practice

3.7

Operational tactics are monitored for their effectiveness and adjusted, as required, to ensure best outcomes

3.8

Operational tactics are monitored to ensure vessel stability and dewatering integrity is maintained

3.9

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

4

Manage post-fire activities

4.1

Fire watch is coordinated to prevent re-ignition

4.2

Fire affected area is secured prior to investigation according to regulatory and organisational requirements

4.3

Equipment is maintained to operational condition, as applicable

4.4

Cause of the fire is investigated and determined according to regulatory and organisational requirements

4.5

Incident reports are completed according to regulatory and organisational requirements

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.

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.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Practical assessment must occur in a workplace, or realistic simulated workplace, under the normal range of workplace conditions.

Simulations and scenarios may be used where situations cannot be provided in the workplace or may occur only rarely, in particular for situations relating to emergency procedures and adverse weather conditions where assessment would be unsafe, impractical or may lead to environmental damage.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

applicable documentation, such as legislation, regulations, codes of practice, workplace procedures and operational manuals

tools, equipment, machinery, materials, personal protective equipment (PPE), fire detection equipment, firefighting equipment and systems used in industry, including:

fire protective clothing

hoses and nozzles

portable firefighting equipment

pumps

SCBA.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

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

Not applicable.

F – Operational Quality and Safety