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Control measure

Firebreaks and fuel breaks

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Control measure knowledge

Strategic actions

Fire and rescue services should:

Develop tactical guidance and support arrangements for the hazards that may be encountered and the actions to be taken when implementing a firebreak system
Consult and liaise with relevant people and/or agencies to obtain advice and support on firebreak information in identified areas of land and specific buildings
Produce site specific risk information (SSRI) on appropriate firebreaks

Tactical actions

Incident commanders should:

Consider creating a firebreak to prevent firespread, considering the time required to implement
Monitor the effectiveness of any firebreak and communicate any breach to all personnel
Assess the fuel type, weather conditions, resources and time required to create an effective firebreak
Consider separating burning material from the fire using heavy plant and extinguishing it

TRAINING SPECIFICATION

Knowledge and understanding

Control measure element

Learning outcome

Firebreaks and fuel breaks

Understand:

The purpose of a firebreak in a building and how to effectively create it
The purpose of a fuel break in a building and how to effectively create it

NOS knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:
You need to know and understand: 2920
K How to make and apply decisions based on the assessment of risk in relation to fire and rescue operational incidents K How to apply practices that maximise the health, safety and welfare of yourself and others during fire and rescue operational incidents K Personal protective and operational equipment used in fires and other operational incidents including their capabilities, limitations and safe use K Methods and techniques to control and extinguish fires K Causes, effects and behaviour of fire K Different fire types and fire classes
Health & Safety
K 2 How to make and apply decisions based on the assessment of risk in relation to fire and rescue operational incidents K 3 How to apply practices that maximise the health, safety and welfare of yourself and others during fire and rescue operational incidents
Technical
K 12 Personal protective and operational equipment used in fires and other operational incidents including their capabilities, limitations and safe use K 15 Methods and techniques to control and extinguish fires K 16 Causes, effects and behaviour of fire K 17 Different fire types and fire classes
You need to know and understand: 2132
K Principles of fire fighting and fire behaviour in: Compartment fires Structural fires
Respond to operational incidents requiring breathing apparatus.
K 9 Principles of fire fighting and fire behaviour in: Compartment fires Structural fires

Practical application

Control measure element

Learning outcome

Firebreaks and fuel breaks

Demonstrate the ability to:

Use appropriate techniques and equipment to create an effective firebreak in a building
Use appropriate techniques and equipment to create an effective fuel break in a building

NOS performance criteria

You must be able to:
Respond to fire and rescue incidents 2889
P Use agreed methods and techniques to control and reduce fire in line with your agreed tasks and duties at an incident P Operate within appropriate risk control measures in line with your organisation's procedures P Use resources, equipment and personal protective equipment at fire and rescue incidents in line with their limitations, safety and operating instructions
Respond to fire and rescue incidents
P 4 Use agreed methods and techniques to control and reduce fire in line with your agreed tasks and duties at an incident P 5 Operate within appropriate risk control measures in line with your organisation's procedures P 6 Use resources, equipment and personal protective equipment at fire and rescue incidents in line with their limitations, safety and operating instructions

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