ACT RFSRIVERS

BRIGADE

Bush Fire Fighter (BFF)Task Bookversion 1

Date: September 2013

Contact:<your mentor name><phone number>

Bush fire fighter

Document control

Approval

Role Name Date

Prepared by:

Reviewed by: Supervising mentor Cassy Voght

Reviewed by: Training Officer Keith Brown

Approved by: Captain Matt Dutkiewicz

Change record

Date Version

Author Reviewer Change reference

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Table of contents

Document control 2Approval 2Change record 2

Table of contents 3Foreword 41. Task book 5

1.1 What is a task book 51.2 How to use this task book 5

2. General knowledge and housekeeping 63. Tasks 7

3.1 General 73.2 Rivers 10 (RIV 10) 93.3 Rivers 11 (RIV 11) 103.4 Rivers 12C (RIV 12C) 113.5 Rivers 19 (RIV 19) 123.6 Rivers 20 (RIV 20) 133.7 Rivers 30 (RIV 30) 14

4. ACT Rural Fire Service training and qualifications 164.1 ACT RFS training and national accreditation references 17

4.1.1 Bush Fire Fighter 174.1.2 Village Fire Fighter 184.1.3 Advanced Fire Fighter 184.1.4 Crew Leader 18

5. Log Sheet 19Acronyms 20

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Foreword

Dear colleague

I want to welcome you to Rivers Brigade and wish you well for your time with us.

Now that you have the Bush Fire Fighter course under your belt, it is important that you continue to build on the valuable information and skills that you have learned. It is your responsibility to know, and to be confident with your tasking. This includes operating equipment on all of the vehicles and working as part of a crew to complete any task that you undertake.

Weekly Brigade training sessions will give you the opportunity to practice and gain further confidence in the use of equipment to fight fires. This task book will assist you to work with a senior member of the Brigade to develop your skills and gain experience. You can also use it to refresh your skills before each bushfire season.

Our mentor program ensures that we can build strong teams of fire fighters to improve our capability as a Brigade.

Remember, you do not learn by standing back. Make sure you ask questions, understand any task that you do and set yourself personal goals to learn a new skill or use a different piece of equipment every training night. No matter how long you have been with the Brigade, you need to continually practice and refresh skills. Your life and that of your crew depends on it.

Matt Dutkiewicz

Captain

Rivers RFS Brigade

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1. Task book

This document is the Bush Fire Fighter (BFF) task book. Its purpose is to assist you to consolidate your BFF course and practical training. You will do this by working with a mentor during the early stages of your time in the Brigade.

1.1 What is a task book

The task book is a structured list of typical tasks that a bush fire fighter performs in the Rivers Brigade. The task list also has space for you and your mentor to record doing and checking the task. By listing and recording each task, the Brigade can ensure that you have undertaken all the typical tasks that a bush fire fighter performs. It should also ensure that you gain a broad experience in your early days within the Brigade. It will also help us to record that you gain experience on all vehicles.

The task list has the following format.

Task Date completed Mentor

Operate a hand-held radio 1 2 3 Initial

Identify a fully charged RFS programmed radio

Select and collect a hand held radio for use in a vehicle

1. Under supervision in a training environment2. Independently in a training environment3. Operationally

It is all about you doing typical tasks under the watchful eyes of a mentor.

1.2 How to use this task book

The task book contains tasks that you should undertake over a season following your BFF course. You should aim to do the tasks under three conditions:

1. Under supervision in a training environment2. Independently in a training environment3. Operationally

Your mentors will act as trainer/assessor to guide you and sign off on each task.

The task book lists as many typical tasks as possible and ensures that each trainee, sees, does, receives feedback and ‘ticks off’ on every task. The mentor demonstrates each task (reinforcing their skills) and has a checklist to ensure each trainee gets to do all the important tasks on each vehicle. Nobody should fall through the gap and miss an important task.

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2. General knowledge and housekeeping

This section is informative rather than task oriented. You should still do these activities but there is no need for sign off by your mentor.

• Provide my contact details to the Brigade Secretary

• Email• Phone numbers• Address• Next-of-kin

• Pay my annual membership fees

• Sign the attendance book each time I attend any activity at the shed

• Introduce myself to the rest of the crew each time I am in a vehicle

• Keep the communal spaces clean

• Help clean the shed and vehicles

• Fill the drinking water refrigerator with new stock

• Close the gate when there is stock in the roadway paddock

• Maintain speed limits in the Brigade precinct

• Park rear to kerb at all times in the Brigade precinct

• Attend Brigade working bees

• Locate and discuss completion of an Accident and Injury Report with the OH&S officer

• Locate and discuss the use of a First Aid kit with the First Aid officer

• Replace damaged or worn PPE

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3. Tasks

The tasks are in the following categories:

• General

• Vehicle specific

3.1 General

Complete these tasks on at least three different occasions.

Task Date completed Mentor

Operate a hand-held radio 1 2 3 Initial

Locate and identify radio recharge bays

Identify a fully charged RFS programmed radioIdentify SES radios

Select and collect a hand held radio for use in a vehicle

Set a handheld radio to RFS OPS 1

Set a handheld radio to a specified zone and channel(simplex and talk around channels)

Identify and operate buttons on a hand held radio

Return handheld radios to the recharge bay and ensure recharge is under way

Remove and replace a battery on a handheld radio

Use a handheld radio to advise RFS COMMS of vehicle availability

Operate a hand held radio on simplex and talk around channels

Hose rolling

Roll a 25 mm hose

Roll a 38 mm hose

Roll a hose using a figure 8 emergency roll

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Maintain equipment

Advise the equipment officer of damaged items for repair or replacement

Sharpen and service a rake hoe

Demonstrate how you identify a damaged hose

Identify hose storage in the shed

Discuss workbench assets

Replace flat batteries in vehicle’s torch

Drip torch

Refill a drip torch (identify correct fuel and any safety procedures)

Check the proper operation of a drip torch

Light a drip torch

Perform a lighting process using a drip torch

Mobile Data Terminal (MDT)

Attend a MDT training course

Vehicles

Identify and discuss the vehicle types and their capabilities

Find for each vehicle:Stand pipe and hydrant barDraught hoses and floatRake hoes, axe, chain sawFuels (jerry can) storageWater eskyWitch’s hatsTorchSpare tyre and jackFirst Aid kit

Find hose storage and determine quantity of hose (number of lengths for each size hose)

Identify the types of nozzles and other hose hardware

Identify and describe how to use the valves on the pipe work

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3.2 Rivers 10 (RIV 10)

Complete each task under the following conditions:1. Under supervision in a training environment2. Independently in a training environment3. Operationally

Task Date completed Mentor

Crew RIV 10 1 2 3 Initial

Perform a pre use check of the vehicle cabinets/equipment

Check that the vehicle has adequate hand held radios

Start the pump (test operation)

Test live reels

Change channels on the vehicle radio

Operate the vehicle radio on RFS OPS 1

Operate the vehicle radio on simplex and talk around channels

Identify other radio sets in the vehicle (especially on interstate deployments)

Locate and identify the vehicle maps- UBD- 1:100,000- 1:25,000

Use a map to navigate and give directions to the driver

Participate in a briefingby crew leaderby incident controller

Attach hose/s to vehicle outlets and run out hose/s25 mm38 mm

Use a live reel to extinguish a fire

Use a cannon to extinguish a fire

Use hoses to extinguish a fire

Refill tank from RIV 19

Refill tank from a standpipe

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Draught water from a standing water source

Implement burn over procedures XXX

3.3 Rivers 11 (RIV 11)

Complete each task under the following conditions:1. Under supervision in a training environment2. Independently in a training environment3. Operationally

Task Date completed Mentor

Crew RIV 11 1 2 3 Initial

Perform a pre use check of the vehicle cabinets/equipment

Check that the vehicle has adequate hand held radios

Start the pump (test operation)

Test live reels

Change channels on the vehicle radio

Operate the vehicle radio on RFS OPS 1

Operate the vehicle radio on simplex and talk around channels

Identify other radio sets in the vehicle (especially on interstate deployments)

Locate and identify the vehicle maps- UBD- 1:100,000- 1:25,000

Use a map to navigate and give directions to the driver

Participate in a briefingby crew leaderby incident controller

Attach hose/s to vehicle outlets and run out hose/s25 mm38 mm

Use a live reel to extinguish a fire

Use a cannon to extinguish a fire

Use hoses to extinguish a fire

Refill tank from RIV 19

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Refill tank from a standpipe

Draught water from a standing water source

Implement burn over procedures XXX

3.4 Rivers 12C (RIV 12C)

Complete each task under the following conditions:1. Under supervision in a training environment2. Independently in a training environment3. Operationally

Task Date completed Mentor

Crew RIV 12C 1 2 3 Initial

Perform a pre use check of the vehicle cabinets/equipment

Check that the vehicle has adequate hand held radios

Start the pump (test operation)

Test live reels

Change channels on the vehicle radio

Operate the vehicle radio on RFS OPS 1

Operate the vehicle radio on simplex and talk around channels

Identify other radio sets in the vehicle (especially on interstate deployments)

Locate and identify the vehicle maps- UBD- 1:100,000- 1:25,000

Use a map to navigate and give directions to the driver

Participate in a briefingby crew leaderby incident controller

Operate Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS)

Attach hose/s to vehicle outlets and run out hose/s25 mm38 mm

Use a live reel to extinguish a fire

Use a cannon to extinguish a fire

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Use hoses to extinguish a fire

Refill tank from RIV 19

Refill tank from a standpipe

Draught water from a standing water source

Implement burn over procedures XXX

Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS)

Explain additional safety issues when using CAF systemsDeliver wet and dry CAFDiscuss the dangers of "slug flow"Demonstrate how to rectify as a pump operator or branch operatorUse appropriate branches for CAF and non-CAF mixtures

3.5 Rivers 19 (RIV 19)

Complete each task under the following conditions:1. Under supervision in a training environment2. Independently in a training environment3. Operationally

Task Date completed Mentor

Crew RIV 19 1 2 3 Initial

Perform a pre use check of the vehicle cabinets/equipment

Check that the vehicle has adequate hand held radios

Start the pump (test operation)

Test live reels

Change channels on the vehicle radio

Operate the vehicle radio on RFS OPS 1

Operate the vehicle radio on simplex and talk around channels

Identify other radio sets in the vehicle (especially on interstate deployments)

Locate and identify the vehicle maps- UBD- 1:100,000- 1:25,000

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Use a map to navigate and give directions to the driver

Participate in a briefingby crew leaderby incident controller

Attach hose/s to vehicle outlets and run out hose/s25 mm38 mm

Use a live reel to extinguish a fire

Refill tank from a standpipe

Draught water from a standing water source

Implement burn over procedures XXX

Unload and set up the portable dam

Drain and repack the portable dam

3.6 Rivers 20 (RIV 20)

Complete each task under the following conditions:1. Under supervision in a training environment2. Independently in a training environment3. Operationally

Task Date completed Mentor

Crew RIV 20 1 2 3 Initial

Perform a pre use check of the vehicle cabinets/equipment

Check that the vehicle has adequate hand held radios

Start the pump (test operation)

Test live reels

Change channels on the vehicle radio

Operate the vehicle radio on RFS OPS 1

Operate the vehicle radio on simplex and talk around channels

Identify other radio sets in the vehicle (especially on interstate deployments)

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Locate and identify the vehicle maps- UBD- 1:100,000- 1:25,000

Use a map to navigate and give directions to the driver

Participate in a briefingby crew leaderby incident controller

Attach hose/s to vehicle outlets and run out hose/s25 mm

Use a live reel to extinguish a fire

Use hoses to extinguish a fire

Refill tank from RIV 19

Refill tank from a standpipe

Draught water from a standing water source

Implement burn over procedures XXX

3.7 Rivers 30 (RIV 30)

Complete each task under the following conditions:1. Under supervision in a training environment2. Independently in a training environment3. Operationally

Task Date completed Mentor

Crew RIV 30 1 2 3 Initial

Perform a pre use check of the vehicle cabinets/equipment

Check that the vehicle has adequate hand held radios

Start the pump (test operation)

Test live reels

Change channels on the vehicle radio

Operate the vehicle radio on RFS OPS 1

Operate the vehicle radio on simplex and talk around channels

Identify other radio sets in the vehicle (especially on interstate deployments)

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Locate and identify the vehicle maps- UBD- 1:100,000- 1:25,000

Use a map to navigate and give directions to the driver

Participate in a briefingby crew leaderby incident controller

Attach hose/s to vehicle outlets and run out hose/s25 mm38 mm

Use a live reel to extinguish a fire

Use hoses to extinguish a fire

Refill tank from RIV 19

Refill tank from a standpipe

Draught water from a standing water source

Implement burn over procedures XXX

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4. ACT Rural Fire Service training and qualifications

References:ACT Rural Fire Service website http://esa.act.gov.au/actrfs/ACT RFS Standard Operating Procedure 1.21 dated 8th March 2013

Fighting bushfire is a dangerous activity so fire fighters must have the competence required to allow them to undertake their role as safely as possible. Training provides the skills and knowledge to enable fire fighters to:

• Work safely on the fire ground.

• Improve knowledge of fire behaviour.

• Use various techniques to suppress a fire.

• Use and care for fire fighting equipment.

• Use and care for communications equipment.

• Work in a team as well as provide leadership.

As members gain skills and knowledge through training and experience, they may progress within the Brigade if they wish. This table shows typical progression.

Position Course / Qualification Notes

Fire fighter Bush fire fighting First aid desirable

Advanced fire fighter

Advanced fire fightingTechnical and Principles

About 2 to 3 years experience

Crew leader Crew leader wildfire About 3 to 5 years experience

Deputy captain PUAFIR303A Suppress wildfire(note: this is part of the crew leader course)

Elected at brigade AGMAbout 4 to 8 years experience

Senior deputy captain

PUAOPE001A Supervise response managing multiple crews at a bushfirePUAFIR303A Suppress wildfire(note: this is part of the crew leader course)

Elected at brigade AGMAbout 4 to 8 years experience

Captain PUAOPE001A Supervise response managing multiple crews at a bushfirePUAFIR303A Suppress wildfire(note: this is part of the crew leader course)

Elected at brigade AGMAbout 8 to 10 years experience

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There are many optional general and specialist training opportunities available to RFS members in addition to the basic training requirements. They include:

• operating four wheel drive vehicles

• heavy vehicle driving

• chainsaw operation basic trimming, and falling courses

• helicopter awareness

• first aid (desirable for all brigade members)

• incident management (multiple courses)

• village fire fighting (desirable for AF qualified fire fighters)

• fire extinguisher training

• remote area fire fighting

• conducting hazard reduction burning

• aviation training (specialist field)

• fire investigation (specialist field).

4.1 ACT RFS training and national accreditation references

The training comes from the national Public Safety Training Package.

4.1.1 Bush Fire Fighter

This training provides all the necessary skills to equip a fire fighter to work in a team under direct supervision on the fire ground. This training is required for all ACT RFS fire fighters.

• PUAFIR201A Prevent injury

• PUAFIR204A Respond to wildfire

• PUATEA001A Work in a team

• PUATEA004A Work effectively in a public safety organisation

• PUAOPE002A Operate communications systems and equipment

• PUACOM001A Communicate in the workplace

• PUAOHS001A Follow defined occupational health and safety policies and procedures

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4.1.2 Village Fire Fighter

This training builds on the basic training above. This course enables participants to undertake motor vehicle fire fighting as well as defensive structural fire fighting. (Defensive means that fire fighters do not enter the building.)

• PUAFIR202A Respond to isolated/remote structure fire

4.1.3 Advanced Fire Fighter

This training is in two parts principles and technical.

Advanced fire fighters usually mentor the newer fire fighters and can work with limited supervision.

• PUAEQU001A Prepare, maintain and test response equipment

• PUAOPE003A Navigate in urban and rural environments

• PUAFIR309A Operate pumps

• PUAFIR208A Participate in community safety activities

• PUAOHS002A Maintain safety at an incident site

• PUATEA002A Work autonomously

4.1.4 Crew Leader

The crew leader package is in three sections. Each section is a two day course plus in field assessments.

• PUAOPE004A Conduct Briefings/Debriefings

• PUAFIR303A Suppress Wildfire running a crew at a bush fire

• PUAOPE001A Supervise Response managing multiple crews at a bushfire

• PUAFIR302A Suppress Urban Fire running a crew at a structure fire or motor vehicle accident

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5. Log Sheet

Date Activity Hours Comments by Trainer / CL / Brigade Officer Initials

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Acronyms

ACT Australian Capital Territory

BFF Bush Fire Fighter

CAFS Compressed Air Foam System

MDT Mobile Data Terminal

RFS Rural Fire Service

RIV Rivers vehicle designator/call sign

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NOTES

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