SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Contribute to the suppression of wildfires at basic fire-fighting level 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
117082  Contribute to the suppression of wildfires at basic fire-fighting level 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Forestry 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Forestry and Wood Technology 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 1  NQF Level 01  2 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for people actively involved in the suppression of wildfires. People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Identify and explain basic characteristics of fire behavior to enable safe and effective fire suppression.
  • Extinguish wildfires using manual methods and procedures.
  • Communicate using verbal and hand signaled instructions.
  • Use of water hose equipment.
  • Conduct mop-up procedures. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Identify, explain and demonstrate standard safety procedures during active wildfire suppression. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify and explain basic features of fire behaviour to enable safe and effective
    fire suppression 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The elements of fire behaviour and methods of suppression are explained with reference to the fire triangle. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Factors influencing fire behaviour are explained in accordance with Industry standards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Weather.
  • Topography.
  • Fuel.
  • Fire intensity.
  • Rate and direction of spread.
  • Fire type.
  • Day/night influence.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Fire types are described and their relative dangers explained in accordance with Industry standards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Ground fire.
  • Surface fire.
  • Crown fire.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Fire danger index levels are described and basic preventative measures explained in accordance with industry standards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Intensity levels relating to the color codes.
  • Fire organizational stages of preparedness.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Fires are classified and extinguishing methods explained in accordance with their categories. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Slash distribution;
  • Vlei areas;
  • Fynbos;
  • Grass veld.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Perform manual methods and procedures for extinguishing wildfires. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Methods of attack are executed in accordance with the relevant fire behaviour. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Direct attack.
  • Indirect attack.
  • Burning out.
  • Spot fires.
  • Brush line or brush pile fires.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A fire line is constructed in accordance with Industry standards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Hoed and/or raked fire line.
  • Width and depth of line.
  • Bump up method.
  • Leapfrog method.
  • One lick method.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The use of tools and equipment is demonstrated in accordance with Industry standards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Common hand tools used in fire suppression.
  • Firelighters.
  • Water delivery equipment.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Communicate using verbal and hand signalled instructions in accordance with industry standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Basic communication skills are demonstrated in accordance with industry standards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Water use hand signal codes.
  • General hand signals.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Basic fire terminology is demonstrated in accordance with industry standards. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Identify and demonstrate the use of water hose equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Water hose equipment is identified and uses demonstrated in accordance with local requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Canvas and rubber hose.
  • Nozzles.
  • Fittings.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Water hose layout is demonstrated in accordance with local requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Laying out a canvas hose and coupling with pump or adjoining hoses.
  • Fit nozzle to a hose.
  • Roll up hose for transport.
  • Correct storage of hose.
  • Drying out of perforated canvas hose.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Nozzle usage is demonstrated in accordance with Industry standards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • "On-off" application;
  • Targeting brush fires;
  • Broad application to grass and needles;
  • Spot applications;
  • Jet to spray applications;
  • Curtain application.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Conduct mop-up procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Mop-up procedures are demonstrated in accordance with Industry standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Problem situations are evaluated and corrective actions applied in accordance with Industry standards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Stumps.
  • Burning snags.
  • Unburnt material within perimeter - flare up potential.
  • Material with potential to roll across the control line.
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Providers of learning and assessors must be accredited in terms of the requirements of the Forest Industries Education and Training Authority.

    Moderation option: The moderation requirements of the Forest Industries Education and Training Authority must be met. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Names and functions of:
  • Fire types
  • Methods of attack
  • Fire line
  • Tools and equipment
  • Basic fire terminology
  • Water hose equipment

    Attributes, descriptions, characteristics and properties of:
  • Basic features of fire behaviour
  • Elements of fire behaviour
  • Fire types
  • Water hose layout

    Sensory cues:
  • What I see, feel hear and smell during the process

    Purpose of:
  • Verbal and hand signalled instructions
  • Fire behaviour
  • Methods of attack
  • A fire line
  • Basic fire terminology

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies, standards:
  • Standard operating procedures: "Guidelines for Forest Engineering Practices in South Africa" (FESA)
  • Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) legislation

    Theory: rules, principles, laws:
  • Mop-up procedures
  • Basic features of fire behaviour
  • Elements of fire behaviour
  • Factors influencing fire behaviour
  • Fire danger index levels
  • Fires are classified and extinguishing
  • Manual methods and procedures for extinguishing wildfires
  • Water hose layout
  • Nozzle usage 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems
  • Relating to the suppression of wildfires 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage myself and my activities
  • When managing resources and my time when demonstrating and explaining the principals and procedures of wildfire suppression 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively
  • When using basic communication skills
  • When communicating using verbal and hand signals 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically
  • When demonstrating the special tools and equipment used in wildfire suppression 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems
  • When I can explain and justify my actions and procedures followed during the process 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  50225   General Education and Training Certificate: General Forestry  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  FPMSETA 
    Elective  58493   General Education and Training Certificate: Equine and Equestrian Practices  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Arden School of Management (Pty) Ltd 
    2. BMD TEXTILES PTY LTD 
    3. COALITION TRADING 1238 CC 
    4. Dinako tsa Marang Consultancy 
    5. Hupco Communications 
    6. Interactive Trading 747 ( PTY) LTD 
    7. K2011145379(South Africa) (Pty) Ltd 
    8. Khumo-Matlo Training and Projects (Pty) Ltd 
    9. Knowledge For Ever 
    10. KWAMAHLATI TRAINING SERVICES CC 
    11. LANDVISTA NPC 
    12. Legal Environment Safety & Health Requirements cc 
    13. LOTTENBURG EDU-FARM 
    14. MALITINNE PTY LTD 
    15. MUKWEVHO TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT 
    16. Peritum Agri Institute 
    17. Phambile Skills Training (Pty) Ltd 
    18. Premier Agric (Pty) Ltd 
    19. Redefined Skills Training & Development (Pty) Ltd 
    20. Skills Development and Training Company (Pty) Ltd 
    21. South African Forestry Training College 
    22. Success Christian Training Centre cc 
    23. The Brokers Learning Centre 
    24. Theron Training Development Pty Ltd 
    25. TIRHANI SKILLSTRAINING PTY LTD 
    26. VPK BUSINESS VENTURE C C 
    27. Yangantle Trading 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.