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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Further Education and Training Certificate: Wild Land Fire Fighting 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
79246  Further Education and Training Certificate: Wild Land Fire Fighting 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Forestry and Wood Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
FPMSETA - Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Further Ed and Training Cert  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Forestry and Wood Technology 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  140  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 0695/12  2012-07-01  2015-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2016-06-30   2019-06-30  

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 qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

This Qualification is aimed at learners with work experience as wild land fire workers, who wish to become team leaders or supervisors. Included in this group are people who have been working in the fire fighting industry as general workers.

This qualification addresses the knowledge and skills needs of fire-fighting crew leaders who are required to lead fire suppression and fire control assignments. This knowledge includes the use of relevant equipment, compliance with and application of Occupational Health and Safety Regulations and the prevention of loss of life and property.

In leading their teams, crew leaders have to interpret the behaviour of fire and predict its momentum. Fire-fighting crew leaders require supervisory skills as well as the applicable technical skills as they lead a fire fighting team.

This Qualification provides the qualifying learner with the skills to:
  • Lead a wild land fire fighting team safely during fire fighting operations.
  • Apply health and safety regulations to prevent loss of lives and property.
  • Manage technical wild land fire fighting operations.
  • Apply operational supervisory skills to wild land fire fighting operations.
  • Communicate effectively with team members before, during and after the event.

    To achieve competence in this Qualification the learner must be able to:
  • Lead a team, plan and allocate and assess the work.
  • Communicate using a two-way radio system during wildfire suppression operations.
  • Apply safety, health and environment protection procedures.
  • Conduct basic map reading.
  • Lead a strike attack force to contain or extinguish a wildfire.
  • Manage a crew during wildfire suppression.
  • Supervise structure protection operations in the rural urban interface.
  • Manage a crew during a controlled burn.
  • Coordinate controlled burning operations in accordance with a fire prevention plan.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and application of various safety regulations to fires.
  • Apply knowledge and understanding of fire behaviour to supervise a fire suppression team.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of basic Incident Command Systems.

    Rationale:

    There is a great need for members and crew leaders of teams to fight wild land fires series Team members need advanced wild land fire technical skills at operator level, while team leaders and managers also require team supervisory skills.

    Current fire fighting operators aspiring to become wild land fire fighting team leaders are catered for in this qualification. The Qualification is also aimed at small scale micro to small business operators who render fire fighting services to both Public and Private institutions. Those who stand to benefit from this Qualification are among others, previously disadvantaged persons who are currently in the field, as employees and other persons with the requisite job experience.

    Accordingly, the objectives of increased access to learning opportunities are reached and the capacity to deal with wild land fire fires and related environment challenges overall, are increased. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    This qualification assumes that the learner is competent in Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    This Qualification can be achieved wholly or in part through Recognition of Prior Learning. Whether a learner attends formal courses or acquires the required skills through informal means, the same standards apply as per the matrix of unit standards and Exit Level Outcomes.

    The Qualification and the Unit Standards have been written in such a way that the learning has to be assessed in an integrated way. Assessors will assess evidence to establish what the learners know, understand and can do. Such evidence may be gathered through course related activities and/or through work related activities. In cases where candidates do not attend formal learning programs, assessors should seek work related evidence as far as possible.

    Assessors should ensure that learners submitting themselves to Recognition Prior Learning are thoroughly briefed prior to assessment. Learners will be required to submit a Portfolio of Evidence in the prescribed format to be assessed for formal recognition.

    Access to the Qualification:

    Access to this Qualification is open. However, due to the physical nature of the job, it is a requirement that persons aspiring to become Wild Land Fire Fighting Team leaders should be physically fit, have advance knowledge in fire fighting and not be handicapped. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    All fundamental unit standards are compulsory (56 credits).

    The fundamental Component consists of the following, which is compulsory for all learners:
  • Unit standards at NQF Level 4, totalling 16 credits in Mathematical Literacy.
  • Unit standards at NQF Level 4, totalling 20 credits in Communication in a First South African Language.
  • Unit standards at NQF Level 3, totalling 20 credits in Communication in a Second South African Language.

    It is therefore compulsory for learners to do Communication in two different South African Languages, one at NQF Level 4 and the other at NQF Level 3.

    Core Component:

    All core unit standards are compulsory (71 credits).

    Elective Component:

    Learners are to complete unit standards totalling at least 13 credits from those listed as electives. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Lead a wild land fire fighting team safely during fire fighting operations.

    2. Apply health and safety regulations to prevent loss of lives and property.

    3. Manage technical wild land fire fighting operations in accordance with industry standards.

    4. Apply operational supervisory skills to wild land fire fighting operation(s).

    5. Communicate effectively with team members and other relevant parties before, during and after the event.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes have been addressed by the Exit Level Outcomes, as follows:

    1. Identify and solve problems:

    This will be achieved when qualifying learners:
  • Conduct risk assessment to hazardous areas.
  • Analyse fire behaviour to determine the appropriate intervention tactic(s).
  • Interpret and implement local fire plans.
  • Apply safety regulations to fires in order to prevent loss of lives and property.

    2. Work effectively with others as a member of a team or organisation:

    This will be achieved when qualifying learners:
  • Contribute to team and fire fighting operational goals.
  • Adhere to operational procedures.
  • Support team members in adhering to safety procedures and work roles to be carried out.
  • Adhere to team onsite organisation and communication protocols.

    3. Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.

    This will be achieved when qualifying learners:
  • Respond appropriately to risk and hazards.
  • Apply work procedures appropriately to meet work requirement.
  • Use maps to interpret area under fire:
    > Range: Use maps to identify safety zones, escape routes, access routes.

    4. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information:

    This will be achieved when qualifying learners:
  • Conduct risk assessment of an area.
  • Respond appropriately to risks identified.
  • Apply legal and environmental standards.
  • Monitor the use of equipment and protective clothing.

    5. Communicate effectively by using mathematical and language skills in the modes of oral and written presentations:

    This will be achieved when qualifying learners:
  • Communicate reasons and objectives of the burn.
  • Report injures.
  • Brief fire fighting team members about change of plan.
  • Communicate with role players.

    6. Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others:

    This will be achieved when qualifying learners:
  • Apply health and safety regulations to prevent loss of lives and property.
  • Adhere to fire fighting industry standards.
  • Use and care for equipment properly.

    7. Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation:

    This will be achieved when qualifying learners:
  • Provide appropriate solutions to fire fighting needs identified.
  • Conduct risk assessment.
  • Apply health and safety regulations to prevent loss of lives and property.
  • Assist and coach team members. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

    1.1 Resources are allocated to meet the fire fighting objectives.
    1.2 Look-outs are positioned accordingly to inform team leader of all fire related eventualities.
    1.3 Knowledge and understanding of fire behaviour is applied when supervising a fire suppression team.
    1.4 Controlled burn operations are coordinated to ensure attainment of objectives.
    1.5 Control line is continuously monitored to avoid fire spread and re-ignition and to ensure safe and efficient operation.
    1.6 Mopping up operations is carried out according to industry standards.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

    2.1 Occupational Health and Safety Regulation are applied during fire fighting operations.
    2.2 Rescue operations are conducted according to fire fighting standards to avoid loss of life and injury.
    2.3 Various safety regulations applicable to fire fighters are continuously applied during fire fighting operations.
    2.4 Relevant parties are advised and informed about the regulatory codes governing and or impacting on wild land fire fighting operations for compliance:
    > Range: Parties include but are not limited to colleagues, team members, fire manager and the local community.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

    3.1 Risk analysis of fire area or fire line is conducted in relation to weather conditions, topography and fuel type.
    3.2 The appropriate strategy and tactic(s) to fight the fire are determined or decided upon.
    3.3 Human and physical resources are deployed to ensure attainment of outcomes.
    3.4 The fire fighting operation is monitored and controlled to ensure safety of lives and property.
    3.5 Mopping up operations are carried out according to industry standards.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

    4.1 Operational plans for wild land fire fighting operations are obtained and/or developed and executed.
    4.2 Burning permits are obtained and confirmed to ensure compliance.
    4.3 The use of physical resources is constantly monitored to ensure a safe and efficient operation.
    4.4 Fire fighting team members are continuously coached and mentored to ensure optimum performance.
    4.4 Operational documentation for wild land fire fighting operations is developed and used.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

    5.1 Reasons and objectives of a burn are communicated to fire fighting team members.
    5.2 Operational strategy and tactics to be used are confirmed.
    5.3 Fire conditions/behaviour is communicated.
    5.4 New instructions to fire fighting team members are communicated as conditions change.
    5.5 Relevant parties are informed of outcomes of fire fighting operation. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The following countries were chosen using the criteria below:
  • Countries with a formal Qualifications Framework, such as New Zealand.
  • Countries that are leaders in the field of fire suppression and control.
  • Countries with readily available information on the subject.

    Overview:

    The international review conducted-mainly in the developed world-demonstrates a high correlation between a country's development level and its emergency and fire management regime.

    Learning programmes and qualifications for wild land or bush forest fire containment form a component of the broader emergency rescue services.

    United States of America:

    The United States probably has the most comprehensive national fire (including wild land fire) infrastructure training and development system, together with a competence framework. Their system represents a learning and credit system that is linked to various local government fire departments and military establishments in a co-ordinated command structure for emergency fire situations. Agencies like the United States Fire Administration (USFA), Emergency Management Institute (EMI) and the National Incident Management System (MIMS) are involved.

    Each state or geographic area provides courses and learning programmes depending on their needs. For example, the Minnesota Wildfire Academy presents a wild land fire training that has the following components that are comparable to the Further Educations and Training Certificate: Wild Land Fire Fighting:
  • Basic Firefighter S/13/190 L-130 36hours.
  • Advanced Firefighter/Squad Boss S 133 4 hours.
  • Initial attack S-200 16 hours.
  • Crew boss S-230 24 hours.
  • Intermediate Fire Behaviour S 290 32 hours.

    On the other hand, the National Inter-Agency Prevention Academy provides a basic 72 hour fire training course runs for two weeks. This includes: basic wildfire prevention, wildfire cause determination, and intermediate fire prevention training for wildfire prevention or mitigation. Included in the course are: communication skills and public appearances, press releases, off highway driving tactics, marketing plans and media relations, power line and rail road equipment inspections and driving for the fire service.

    There are a number of courses at various wild land fire training sites that include:
  • Incident Command System-basic, intermediate and advanced.
  • Co-ordination & Incident Management Assessment.
  • Unified and Area Command.
  • Wild land fire prevention planning.
  • Wildfire educational programs.
  • Fire Effects.
  • Fire behaviour.
  • Fire lines.

    New Zealand:

    This country has a series of forestry related Qualification series on Wild land Fire Prevention that are equivalent to South Africa's run NQF Level 2-4, as follows:
  • ID 0539: National Certificate in Fire and Rescue Services (Vegetation)-Level 2.
  • ID 0540: National Certificate in Fire and Rescue Services (Vegetation)-Level 3.
  • ID 1183-1185 &1134 National Certificate in Fire and Rescue Services (Vegetation)-Level 3-Level 6.

    The Wild Land Fire stream is one of the many fire related qualification streams that include Industrial Emergency Response and Urban Fire and Rescue.

    The National Diploma in Fire and Rescue Services (Vegetation Fire Fighting-Management (level 5) is a comprehensive qualification that has all the major legal, procedural and technical fire mitigation and suppression competence areas. It contains unit standards that span NQF Level 2 to Level 5.

    The Qualification prepares the qualifying learner with the skills, knowledge and applications to deal with wild land fire incidents and to effectively mobilise the team for such eventualities.

    Similarities:

    There are many common areas between the Further Education and Training Certificate: Wild Land Fire Fighting and its counterparts in the countries under review under the following broad headings:
  • Fire behaviour.
  • Review of legislation.
  • Fire lines.
  • Incident command.
  • Community education.
  • Basic Wild Land Fire Equipment used.

    Differences:

    There do not appear to be major differences in content between the Further Educations and Training Certificate: Wild Land Fire Fighting and those reviewed. There are, however, variations in structure, learning format, orientation and depth of focus. The organisation of learning at the various sites of delivery within an overall national emergency response set up-in the USA-is a major difference.

    Gaps:

    There is, in South Africa, a need for a Level 5 Wildland Fire Fighting Qualification to bolster the competence profile of the Fire Fighter Crew Leader and to align it to, especially the New Zealand example. There is also the need to position and align the Further Education and Training Certificate: Wild Land Fire Fighting within a coherent qualification series for the Wild land Fire Fighting professional worker.

    Conclusion:

    Based on the above, it can be concluded that that the Further Education and Training Certificate: Wild Land Fire Fighting compares favourably with similar qualifications in other countries in terms of learning outcomes and content. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates horizontally and vertically with qualifications in a variety of general and specialist functions such as:
  • Forestry.
  • General Security Practices.
  • Human settlement.
  • Primary Response in and emergency.

    The qualification articulates horizontally to:
  • ID 57803: Further Edcuation and Training Certificate: Fire Rescue Operations.
  • ID 66349: Further Education and Training Certificate: General Forestry.

    And vertically to:
  • ID 64390: National Certificate: Emergency Services Supervision: Fire and Rescue Operations, NQF Level 5.
  • ID 48855: National Certificate: Emergency Service Operations, NQF Level 5.
  • National Higher Certificate: Fire Service Technology, NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against the qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or by an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA`s policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the associated unit standards.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Criteria for Registration of Assessors:

    For an applicant to register as an assessor or moderator of this qualification, the applicant needs:
  • To be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • To be in possession of a relevant qualification at NQF Level 5 or higher.
  • To have relevant experience. 
    		•

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

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  13223  Apply safety, health and environmental protection procedures  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
    Core  376883  Communicate using a two-way radio system during wildfire suppression operations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Core  376900  Conduct basic map reading  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
    Core  116714  Lead a team, plan, allocate and assess their work  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Core  376884  Coordinate controlled burning operations in accordance with a fire prevention plan  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Core  376885  Demonstrate knowledge and application of various safety regulations to fires  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Core  376881  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a basic Incident Command System  Level 4  NQF Level 04  3 
    Core  123232  Lead a strike attack force to contain or extinguish a wildfire  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Core  376886  Manage a crew during a controlled burn  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Core  123231  Manage a crew during wildfire suppression  Level 4  NQF Level 04  7 
    Core  376882  Apply knowledge and understanding of fire behaviour to supervise a fire suppression team  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
    Core  376901  Supervise structure protection operations in the rural urban interface  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
    Fundamental  119472  Accommodate audience and context needs in oral/signed communication  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  119458  Analyse and respond to a variety of literary texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  9010  Demonstrate an understanding of the use of different number bases and measurement units and an awareness of error in the context of relevant calculations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Fundamental  9013  Describe, apply, analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Fundamental  119466  Interpret a variety of literary texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  119457  Interpret and use information from texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  9012  Investigate life and work related problems using data and probabilities  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  7456  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business and national issues  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  119470  Evaluate literary texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  119469  Read/view, analyse and respond to a variety of texts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  119471  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Fundamental  119459  Write/present/sign for a wide range of contexts  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  13912  Apply knowledge of self and team in order to develop a plan to enhance team performance  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  113909  Coach a team member in order to enhance individual performance in work environment  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  123234  Control activities at an airstrip during aerial wildfire suppression  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Elective  251960  Identify and describe disaster related risks and threatening situations utilizing basic disaster management concepts and indigenous knowledge  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  262187  Operate a chain saw from a rope and harness  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  12455  Perform the role of a safety, health and environmental protection representative  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Elective  254124  Plan team work functions and complete reports  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Elective  13941  Apply the budget function in a business unit  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Elective  9506  Communicate in an assertive manner with clients and fellow workers  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Elective  110053  Conduct a basic community needs assessment  Level 4  NQF Level 04  12 
    Elective  376880  Create fire awareness among communities  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Elective  115224  Engage in fire safety and public education activities  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Elective  11473  Manage individual and team performance  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
    Elective  123244  Operate an electronic fire surveillance facility  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Elective  123230  Perform administrative functions during wildfire suppression  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Elective  242850  Perform fire-ground operations necessary to ensure life safety, fire control, and property conservation under supervision  Level 4  NQF Level 04  12 
    Elective  115221  Preserve evidence for a fire cause investigation  Level 4  NQF Level 04  2 
    Elective  10981  Supervise work unit to achieve work unit objectives (individuals and teams)  Level 4  NQF Level 04  12 
    Elective  242852  Use a self-contained breathing apparatus  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 
    Elective  244149  Demonstrate an understanding of forensic fire investigation  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 
    Elective  120361  Monitor and make recommendations on the application of health and safety principles regarding the prevention of fires and protection systems in a working place  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  6 


    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    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. Legal Environment Safety & Health Requirements cc 
    2. Phambile Skills Training (Pty) Ltd 


    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.