Basic Firefighter Exam Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the maximum rpm to start all cuts when using a rotary saw?

3000

10000

maximum (correct)

5000

What is an example of a common prying tool?

halligan

An outward swinging door is indicated by what feature?

visible hinges

What is an example of a pulling tool?

sheetrock rake Signup and view all the answers

Which tools are commonly paired together as 'irons'?

halligan and flat head axe Signup and view all the answers

When breaking glass, stand , use the side of the tool, and strike the of the pane.

up-wind, blunt/flat corner Signup and view all the answers

What should you immediately do when getting a power tool from an apparatus for use on the fire ground?

start the tool Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a striking tool?

sledge hammer Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a cutting tool?

reciprocating saw (Sawzall) Signup and view all the answers

When forcing entry through chained gates, what should you cut?

link/chain Signup and view all the answers

What is the order of priorities when suppressing structure fires?

<ol> <li>protect exposures, 2. cut off fire spread, 3. attack seat of the fire</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

When advancing a hose-line into a structure, what should you do with any visible fire?

extinguish it Signup and view all the answers

From what degree angle should a vehicle fire be fought?

45 Signup and view all the answers

If you cannot see your feet while advancing an attack line into a structure, what should you do?

crawl Signup and view all the answers

The and the are the appropriate hose sizes for attacking a structure fire.

2 1/2, 1 3/4 Signup and view all the answers

What type of attack involves directing fire streams toward the ceiling to generate steam?

indirect Signup and view all the answers

What is the highest priority at a structure fire?

exposures Signup and view all the answers

What type of attack discharges water directly onto burning material?

direct Signup and view all the answers

When extinguishing a container fire, from where should you not approach?

downhill or downwind Signup and view all the answers

Which direction should you first direct your fire stream during a combination fire attack?

ceiling Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of a water shuttle?

the process of hauling water from a fill site to a dump site Signup and view all the answers

What type of hydrants are installed in areas with prolonged subfreezing weather?

dry barrel Signup and view all the answers

What is drafting?

the process of drawing water from a static source to supply a pumper Signup and view all the answers

Wet-barrel hydrants are always filled with what?

water Signup and view all the answers

What type of fire apparatus carries fol-da-tanks in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough?

tenders Signup and view all the answers

What equipment is needed for drafting?

hard suction, barrel strainer, low level strainer, float-a-dock, rubber mallet Signup and view all the answers

What must all collections be to obtain a vacuum when drafting?

air tight Signup and view all the answers

Where is the main valve located on a dry-barrel hydrant?

under ground Signup and view all the answers

List three alternative water supplies.

<ol> <li>lakes, 2. rivers, 3. underground tanks</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Where would you typically find a dry hydrant?

lake sides Signup and view all the answers

What causes water hammer?

opening and closing the nozzle quickly Signup and view all the answers

What are three disadvantages of water?

<ol> <li>heaviness, 2. creates ice, 3. good conductor of electricity</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is the twin-tip combination wild-land nozzle called?

forestry/forester Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of the solid stream?

the inability to have an adjustable pattern Signup and view all the answers

What defines a fog stream?

a fine spray composed of tiny water droplets Signup and view all the answers

What does CAFS stand for?

compressed air foam system Signup and view all the answers

List three advantages of CAFS.

<ol> <li>uses less water, 2. lowers surface tension, 3. creates more surface area</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is friction loss?

the part of total pressure lost while forcing water through hose, appliances, and adapters Signup and view all the answers

What type of nozzle allows the water to absorb heat effectively?

fog nozzle Signup and view all the answers

What size stream discharges more than 350 gpm?

master stream Signup and view all the answers

How often does fire hose need to be tested?

annually Signup and view all the answers

What type of hose is used to draft water from a static water source?

hard suction Signup and view all the answers

To fully open a hydrant, which direction do you turn the top nut?

counter clockwise Signup and view all the answers

Where can pre-connect hose loads be found?

<ol> <li>officer side - cross lay, 2. rear - hose bed, 3. front bumper - bumper lines</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

How far from the coupling should a hose clamp be placed?

5 ft Signup and view all the answers

What appliance do you need to connect a 3" hose supplying two 1 3/4 attacking hand-lines?

wye Signup and view all the answers

What is the indicator that aligns threads of hose couplings to eliminate cross threading?

higbee cut Signup and view all the answers

What is a hose load that is designed to be pulled by one person?

triple tier Signup and view all the answers

What type of hose roll leaves the female end exposed and the male end protected?

straight roll Signup and view all the answers

What is a progressive hose lay?

a forestry hose lay that places a wye every 200' providing for lateral lines to attack the fire Signup and view all the answers

What is the bottom end of the ladder called?

butt Signup and view all the answers

What is the upper section of an extension ladder that moves?

fly Signup and view all the answers

What provides the foothold for climbing on a ladder?

rungs Signup and view all the answers

What is the rope or cable used for hoisting and lowering the fly sections of an extension ladder called?

halyard Signup and view all the answers

What type of ladders consist of a base section and one or more fly sections?

extension Signup and view all the answers

Who is in charge of butt placement when using a ladder?

closest firefighter Signup and view all the answers

How many rungs above the roof line should ladders be placed for roof operations?

5 Signup and view all the answers

At what degree angle should ladders be placed to the building?

75 Signup and view all the answers

Where should the ladder tip be placed for entry or rescue from a window?

slightly below the sill Signup and view all the answers

What is OSHA's minimum distance for ladders from all energized electrical lines?

10 ft Signup and view all the answers

What type of rope is used to support victims and/or rescuers?

life safety Signup and view all the answers

How is laid rope constructed?

twisting yarns together to form strands Signup and view all the answers

What is a knot element formed by bending the rope back on itself while keeping the sides parallel called?

bight Signup and view all the answers

What must happen to any life-safety rope that fails inspection or has been impact-loaded?

removed from service immediately Signup and view all the answers

What knot is used to tie two pieces of webbing together?

water Signup and view all the answers

What knot is used to form a single loop that will not constrict around the object being tied?

bowline Signup and view all the answers

What knot element is created by crossing the side of a bight over the standing part?

loop Signup and view all the answers

What type of knot is used to tie off a ladder?

clove hitch Signup and view all the answers

What group is the Figure 8 knots known as?

family Signup and view all the answers

What type of rope is preferred for life-safety applications?

synthetic Signup and view all the answers

For firefighting operations, what is the span-of-control?

3 to 7 Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for safety on an emergency scene?

everybody Signup and view all the answers

What type of communications are used when communicating over a radio in the Mat-Su Borough?

clear text Signup and view all the answers

When transmitting using a radio, how should you speak?

clearly and calmly Signup and view all the answers

What is the ICS term that refers to a functional designation such as vent or water supply?

group Signup and view all the answers

What is the duty of the Section Chief in an incident action plan?

to direct tactical operations to meet strategic goals Signup and view all the answers

What is the responsibility of the Section Chief in planning?

collection, documentation, evaluation, and dissemination of information Signup and view all the answers

What is the responsibility of the Section Chief in logistics?

to facilitate effective and efficient incident management Signup and view all the answers

What ICS term refers to geographic assigning responsibility for operations?

division Signup and view all the answers

What are the signals for an emergency evacuation of a structure?

a continual series of 3 air horn blasts with 4-5 second intervals Signup and view all the answers

What is positive pressure ventilation?

a forced ventilation technique that uses a high-volume fan Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of smoke in firefighting?

fuel that has not ignited Signup and view all the answers

How far should a PPV fan be placed from the entrance to obtain a full cone seal?

4-10 ft Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of ventilation?

horizontal and vertical Signup and view all the answers

What must be coordinated with fire attack?

ventilation Signup and view all the answers

What is a piece of equipment used for negative-pressure ventilation?

smoke ejectors Signup and view all the answers

What should the entry and exit openings have for effective ventilation?

a ratio of 1-1 Signup and view all the answers

What should the fog pattern cover when performing hydraulic ventilation?

85-90% Signup and view all the answers

List three benefits of proper ventilation.

<ol> <li>life safety, 2. fire attack and extinguishment, 3. fire spread control</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

When performing horizontal ventilation, where should you stand?

upwind Signup and view all the answers

What can an effective water chute be constructed with?

a salvage cover Signup and view all the answers

What should you do with a small and valuable item found during salvage or overhaul?

give it to officer/command Signup and view all the answers

What type of salvage tarp has webbing or rope handles?

carry-all Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of property conservation?

to minimize damage and provide customer service through effective mitigation and recovery efforts Signup and view all the answers

Can salvage be done simultaneously with fire attack?

yes Signup and view all the answers

What can properly constructed catch-alls hold?

several hundred gallons of water Signup and view all the answers

What is the method associated with firefighting operations that aid in reducing damage?

salvage Signup and view all the answers

What type of protective gear should be worn when pulling ceilings during overhaul?

PPE/bunker gear and SCBA with mask Signup and view all the answers

Which sense should you avoid when detecting hidden fires during overhaul?

smelling Signup and view all the answers

What type of hose-line should be available during overhaul for extinguishment of hidden fires?

charged Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Firefighting Tools and Techniques

Maximum RPM should be maintained when using a rotary saw to prevent binding of blades.
Halligan is a common prying tool used in firefighting.
Outward swinging doors have visible hinges, indicating their direction.
A sheetrock rake serves as an example of a pulling tool.
The combination of a Halligan and a flat head axe is referred to as "irons."
When breaking glass, stand upwind, use the blunt side of the tool, and strike the flat corner of the pane.

Fire Suppression Priorities

Priorities for suppressing structure fires include protecting exposures, cutting off fire spread, and attacking the fire’s seat.
Visible and accessible fires should be extinguished as a hose-line is advanced into a structure.
Vehicle fires should be attacked from a 45-degree angle for safety.
If visibility of feet is compromised while advancing an attack line, crawling is advised.

Hose and Water Supply

Appropriate hose sizes for attacking structure fires are 2 1/2 inches and 1 3/4 inches.
Indirect attack involves directing fire streams toward ceilings or walls to create steam.
Exousures such as fuel tanks and propane cylinders are the highest priorities at structure fires.
The first action during a combination fire attack should target the ceiling.

Water Supply Tactics

A water shuttle is defined as hauling water from a fill site to a dump site.
Dry barrel hydrants are installed in regions with prolonged subfreezing conditions and contain a main valve located underground.
Drafting refers to drawing water from a static source to supply a pumper.
Wet-barrel hydrants are filled with water at all times.

Hose Maintenance and Layout

Fire hoses require annual testing for safety and functionality.
Hard suction hose is essential for drafting water from static sources.
A wye is used to connect a 3" hose supplying two 1 3/4" attacking hand-lines.

Ladder Operations

The butt of a ladder is its bottom end, which contacts the ground during positioning.
The fly section of an extension ladder is the movable part that extends.
Ladders should be placed 5 rungs above the roofline for safe roof operations and at a 75-degree angle to the building.
OSHA mandates maintaining a 10-foot distance from energized electrical lines.

Rope and Knot Knowledge

Life safety rope is specifically used to support victims or rescuers during operations.
A bight is formed by bending the rope back while keeping the sides parallel.
The bowline knot forms a single loop that does not constrict around an object.
Any life-safety rope that fails inspection must be removed from service immediately.

Incident Command System (ICS)

Span-of-control in firefighting operations is often measured at 3 to 7 personnel.
Safety responsibility during emergencies falls on everyone present.
Clear text is utilized in communications within the Mat-Su Borough's radio use protocol.
Section Chiefs in ICS oversee tactical operations and report directly to Incident Commanders.

Ventilation Techniques

Positive pressure ventilation uses a high-volume fan to create a slight pressure difference inside a structure.
Effective ventilation must always be coordinated with the fire attack.
During hydraulic ventilation, the fog pattern should cover 85-90% of the window.

Salvage and Overhaul

Property conservation aims to minimize damage while facilitating effective recovery and mitigation efforts.
During salvage or overhaul, valuable items found should be given to an officer or command.
Properly constructed catch-alls can hold several hundred gallons of water for containing spills.

Safety and Best Practices

Use all senses except for smell when detecting hidden fires during overhaul.
A charged hose-line should be ready for extinguishment of hidden fires during overhaul.
Positive pressure ventilation requires precise positioning of fans to achieve effective results.

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Description

Test your knowledge with these flashcards designed for the Basic Firefighter Written Exam. Each card features key terms and definitions that are essential for aspiring firefighters. Use these to enhance your understanding of firefighting tools and techniques.