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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Ignite, control and extinguish fires in a conservation area unit

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252461	Ignite, control and extinguish fires in a conservation area unit
ORIGINATOR
SGB Nature Conservation
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-
FIELD			SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation			Nature Conservation
ABET BAND	UNIT STANDARD TYPE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Undefined	Regular	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
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
2026-06-30		2029-06-30

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 aimed at individuals involved in the ignition, control and extinguishing of security and prescribed types of fires through the application of appropriate techniques and actions under direction. The standard enables the relevant knowledge and skills required to enable the use of fire both as an ecological management tool for biodiversity and sustainability as well a security burning to protect valuable assets including man-made and natural resources. The qualifying learner will also combat unwanted wild fires (accidental/deliberate fires) unless already out of control.

This competence enables the qualifying learner to assist management in using fire as both an ecological management tool for biodiversity and sustainability as well as security burning to protect valuable assets. Assets include both man-made and natural resources. Achieving this unit standard will enhance the cost-effective management of conservation areas including the manipulation of habitats, effecting biodiversity as well as ensuring the safety of those areas. This competence will enhance employability of the qualifying learner.

Persons credited with this unit standard will be able to:

Assist in preparing to burn.

Ignite fires as prescribed.

Extinguish fires.

Perform post-burn actions.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

It is assumed that the learner is competent in Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 1.

It is further assumed that learners embarking on this unit standard are familiar with:

Knowledge of local weather conditions.

Knowledge of the area.

Knowledge of fire behaviour.

UNIT STANDARD RANGE

N/A

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Assist in preparing to burn.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Necessary equipment is obtained and checked for serviceability to ensure that legal requirements are adhered to.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Fire beaters, igniters, water carriers, knapsack sprays, first-aid kit, bakkie sakkie, communication tools.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Measures for contingencies are carried out as determined by accepted operating procedures.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Changes in weather; fire-breaks; width of fire-breaks; mosaic vs. block burning protocols; night fire fighting; when/when not to backburn for wild fires.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Tracer belts are implemented in preparing fire-breaks.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Use of herbicides or mechanical means of preparing for burning fire-breaks.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Ignite fires as prescribed.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Legislative requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Safe conditions.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

A correct understanding of assigned team responsibilities (suppressors, fire boss, igniters).

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Local optimal conditions and requirements.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Fire-break; Block burn or Patch burn; Combative measures for wild fires, weather, gradient, number of staff.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Extinguish fires.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

An explanation is given of the conditions under which it would be appropriate:

To extinguish a fire.

Not to extinguish a fire.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Effective use is made of fire-suppression equipment and retardants.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Effective use is made of fire-suppression techniques (backburning).

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4

Perform post-burn actions.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Fire risk is reduced or removed by relevant actions.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Smouldering debris extinguished.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

A contribution is made to a post-mortem (evaluation) after the fire.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Prescribed follow-up plan is implemented by careful monitoring of the post-burn phase.

UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS

Anyone assessing an individual against this unit standard must meet the assessor requirements of the relevant ETQA. In particular, such assessors must demonstrate that they assess in terms of the scope and context defined in all the range statements.

Any institution offering learning towards this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA. External moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures.

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE

How weather fuel loads and topography can influence fire behaviour (basic).

Reasons for applying a particular burn strategy according to the conservation area's fire programme (prescribed burning for specific ecological objective(s), security burning reasons, why fight wild fires, etc).

Preparing tracer lines.

Differing fire team responsibilities and duties-fire boss, initiator, suppressors, drivers.

Securing valuable assets-buildings, borehole pumps, fire sensitive zones/sites.

Assist with compiling post fire report by providing the data (when, where, who, type of fire, weather).

Using basic fire-fighting equipment (radio, knapsack sprays, beaters, drip-torches.) efficiently and effectively.

Know the boundaries of the conservation area.

Know the road network and fire-breaks.

Obstacles to potential spread/retardation of fire e.g. rivers, game paths.

Local areas/local key species sensitive to fire.

First Aid (Burns, asphyxiation, fractures).

UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME

N/A

UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES

N/A

Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO):

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING

Self-organisation and management:

Assisting with a veldt burn under supervision requires the learner to work methodically and systematically.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING

Information evaluation:

At this level, learners work under supervision. However, it is essential that learners go beyond merely carrying out instructions. Rather, the learner is encouraged to think carefully about the ecological objectives to be achieved. Also, the learner should consider carefully whether these objectives may be achieved by the use of fire, and if so, what type of fire would be most suitable.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING

Communication:

Dealing with contingencies and following instructions correctly is essential to safe and successful implementation of a veldt burn programme.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE

Use of science and technology:

Knowledge of flora and fauna; proper operation and maintenance of vehicles, equipment and machinery.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING

Inter-relatedness of systems:

Ecological awareness is essential in developing understanding of the work related to a veldt burn programme.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING

Responsible citizenship:

Compliance with fire legislation; taking into account the rights and safety of neighbours.

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

Values:

Demonstration of the knowledge and skills outlined in this unit standard must be consistent with the principles of:

Maintaining essential ecological processes and life-support systems.

Maintaining genetic, species and ecosystem diversity.

Considering ecological and social rights and responsibilities, whilst ensuring sustainable utilisation of species and ecosystems, thereby yielding the greatest sustainable and equitable benefit to present generations whilst maintaining the potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations.

QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD:

	ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	STATUS	END DATE	PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
Elective	59389	National Certificate: Nature Conservation: Resource Guardianship	Level 2	NQF Level 02	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	CATHSSETA

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.

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