Essentials of Fire Fighting Chapter 1

Questions and Answers

The mission of the fire service is usually mandated by law or ordinance enacted by the?

Authority Having Jurisdiction (correct)

Federal Government

Local Community

Fire Department

A fire department that provides a variety of public services such as fire suppression and emergency medical services in a coordinated manner is employing a(n) _____________ approach.

all-hazard concept

What is the most common type of fire department organizational structure?

Scalar

Which fire department organizational principle refers to an individual's responsibility to follow orders and a department's responsibility to provide leadership?

Discipline Signup and view all the answers

Most fire and emergency services organizations in North America are funded by the community through taxes and fees, so they are considered to be ___________ organizations.

public Signup and view all the answers

Combination fire departments refer to those that are:

staffed by a mixture of career and volunteer firefighters. Signup and view all the answers

What is the basic unit of firefighting operations called?

Company Signup and view all the answers

Which type of specialized fire company generally performs forcible entry, performs ventilation, and provides access to upper levels of a structure?

Truck/Ladder Company Signup and view all the answers

Which type of specialized fire company is in charge of extinguishing ground cover or grass fires?

Brush Company Signup and view all the answers

Firefighters who work a required schedule and receive pay and benefits for their work are referred to as:

career firefighters. Signup and view all the answers

The basic criteria for Fire Fighter I competency and professionalism is established in:

NFPA 1001. Signup and view all the answers

Which individual or entity is in charge of setting the age and educational requirements for employment at a fire department?

Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes a difference in level of responsibilities and duties of a Fire Fighter I and Fire Fighter II?

A Fire Fighter II may assume command within the Incident Command System, but a Fire Fighter I may not. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fire service specialization includes personnel who are specifically certified to mitigate chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive emergencies?

Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Technician Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fire officer is generally tasked with managing the fire prevention, plans review, and investigation division of a fire department?

Fire Marshal Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fire officer directly supervises a group of fire companies?

Battalion/District Chief Signup and view all the answers

Which duty is the responsibility of the fire prevention division of a fire department?

Code enforcement and community risk reduction (CRR) Signup and view all the answers

Which individual oversees all training activities and supervises training division personnel?

Training Officer Signup and view all the answers

What kind of regulation is a guide to decision-making within an organization and addresses issues such as working hours or emergency response guidelines?

Policy Signup and view all the answers

The step-by-step process for ventilating a roof is an example of a:

procedure. Signup and view all the answers

Which organization is likely to assist the fire department by dispatching a doctor to the scene or providing advice by radio communication?

Emergency Medical Services Signup and view all the answers

Which organization would likely manage the hydrants and hydrant testing in a jurisdiction?

Utility Companies and Public Works Departments Signup and view all the answers

Which duty would likely be assigned to a Fire Fighter I?

Connect the pumper to a hydrant Signup and view all the answers

According to NFPA 1001, a Fire Fighter I must be able to:

clean and inspect SCBA. Signup and view all the answers

What is the highest line of duty death risk factor for firefighters?

Cardiac Arrest Signup and view all the answers

Which action would directly promote the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives?

Providing free counseling and psychological support to department members and their families Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives?

Safety must be a primary consideration in the design of apparatus and equipment. Signup and view all the answers

Which document specifies the minimum requirements for a fire department health and safety program?

NFPA 1500 Signup and view all the answers

A fire department health and safety program must:

address all anticipated hazards to which firefighters may be exposed. Signup and view all the answers

Which action is an example of maintaining situational awareness to stay safe during a training evolution?

Alerting a supervisor after realizing that a team member is having difficulty breathing. Signup and view all the answers

With regards to fire apparatus and equipment, NFPA 1500 requires that:

departments keep maintenance and inventory records for all equipment. Signup and view all the answers

What does NFPA 1500 require of all personnel operating in an immediately dangerous to life and health atmosphere?

Be fully equipped with personal protective equipment. Signup and view all the answers

NFPA 1500 requires that emergency operations be managed through a(n):

incident management system (IMS). Signup and view all the answers

Which is an example of a fire department facility design requirement set forth in NFPA 1500?

Space for cleaning, disinfecting, and storing infection control devices. Signup and view all the answers

Which is a physical or medical requirement of NFPA 1500?

Medical evaluations to ensure that candidates can perform firefighting duties. Signup and view all the answers

What are fire department wellness programs intended to do?

Reduce firefighter illnesses, injuries, and deaths. Signup and view all the answers

How can firefighters reduce the likelihood of sustaining a job-related injury?

Utilize rehabilitation facilities at emergency incidents. Signup and view all the answers

Frequent exposure to smoke and chemicals puts firefighters at a greater risk of:

cardiovascular disease. Signup and view all the answers

In order to help prevent respiratory disease, firefighters should:

never remove SCBA during structural firefighting until instructed to do so. Signup and view all the answers

Which is a result of the higher temperatures produced by burning manufactured products in a fire?

Skin absorbs dangerous contaminants more quickly. Signup and view all the answers

In order to lower the risk of developing cancer, what can a firefighter do to prevent or limit chemical exposures?

Decontaminate gear and equipment after each fire response. Signup and view all the answers

Wellness programs encourage a healthy diet and regular exercise, because obesity:

increases the strain on the body and makes it harder to perform firefighting duties. Signup and view all the answers

What is the intention of exposure control programs?

Limit exposures, document exposures, and provide treatment after exposure. Signup and view all the answers

Marital counseling, tobacco cessation programs, and treatment for depression are examples of services that may be provided by a fire department's: _____________.

member assistance program. Signup and view all the answers

Most fire departments prohibit firefighters from responding to an emergency after consuming alcohol or certain prescription drugs because they may cause:

impaired ability to function and slower reaction time. Signup and view all the answers

Most departments prohibit or restrict tobacco use because it:

can cause cancer, COPD, or heart disease. Signup and view all the answers

Supervisors should monitor personnel for signs of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following atypically stressful events.

False Signup and view all the answers

Firefighters should maintain situational awareness at every fire scene by:

remaining observant about identified hazards and changing conditions. Signup and view all the answers

When dismounting apparatus, firefighters should always:

maintain three points of contact with the vehicle. Signup and view all the answers

According to NFPA 1500, which activity is prohibited while riding inside the cab of fire apparatus?

Wearing fire fighting helmets. Signup and view all the answers

Working as a team at structural fires can help firefighters:

minimize risk. Signup and view all the answers

The hot zone at an emergency incident:

includes trained personnel who are directly resolving the problem. Signup and view all the answers

Which scene control zone is filled with support personnel who are ready to enter the hot zone as necessary?

Warm Zone Signup and view all the answers

At a fire scene, the rehabilitation area and equipment staging areas are located within the:

cold zone. Signup and view all the answers

If small amounts of power are needed to operate lights and tools, what is used to convert the vehicle's 12 or 24 volt direct current (DC) into 110 or 240 volt alternating current (AC)?

Inverter Signup and view all the answers

What category of lights are used in building interiors or remote areas of the scene?

Portable Signup and view all the answers

Which pieces of equipment are used to permit different types of plugs and receptacles to be connected?

Junction Boxes Signup and view all the answers

When operating emergency scene lighting, firefighters should:

be aware that generator noise may make communications difficult. Signup and view all the answers

Personnel accountability systems are designed to:

track personnel in and out of IDLH environments. Signup and view all the answers

In the SCBA tag system, the expected time of exit is based on the:

air pressure in the lowest reading SCBA in the team. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of personnel accountability system provides a greater level of safety than others, but should only be used as a supplemental safety measure?

Computer-based electronic accountability system Signup and view all the answers

What is a guideline for highway incident scene safety?

Walk facing oncoming traffic. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first priority when a vehicle strikes a power pole and causes a high-voltage power line to land on the vehicle?

Contact the electric company to shut off the power. Signup and view all the answers

In order to ensure responder and civilian safety at a highway/roadway incident, traffic control zones should be:

coordinated with law enforcement. Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for positioning emergency vehicles to provide a protective barrier between oncoming traffic and personnel at highway/roadway incident scenes?

Company Officer and Driver/Operator Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fire Service Mission and Structure

The mission of the fire service is mandated by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
Public service fire departments employ an all-hazard concept, providing coordinated fire suppression and emergency medical services.
The scalar organizational structure is the most common type for fire departments.

Fire Department Principles

Discipline refers to the responsibility of individuals to follow orders and the department's duty to provide leadership.
Most fire services in North America are public organizations funded by community taxes and fees.

Staffing and Roles

Combination fire departments consist of career and volunteer firefighters.
The basic unit in firefighting operations is called a company.
Truck/Ladder Companies perform forcible entry and ventilation tasks, while Brush Companies focus on ground cover or grass fires.
Career firefighters work a structured schedule and receive compensation for their duties.

Competency and Training Standards

Fire Fighter I competency is guided by NFPA 1001 standards.
The AHJ establishes age and education requirements for fire department employment.

Role Responsibilities

Fire Fighter II can assume command in the Incident Command System (ICS), while Fire Fighter I cannot.
Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Technicians are certified for managing chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive emergencies.
Fire Marshals oversee fire prevention, plans review, and investigation divisions.

Health and Safety Regulations

Fire prevention departments handle code enforcement and community risk reduction (CRR) efforts.
A Training Officer supervises all training activities within a fire department.
Policies guide decision-making and address operational protocols within the department.

Procedures and Organizational Guidelines

NFPA 1500 specifies minimum requirements for fire department health and safety programs, which must address anticipated hazards.
Wellness programs aim to reduce firefighter illnesses, injuries, and fatalities.

Occupational Hazards and Safety Practices

Cardiac arrest is the highest risk factor for firefighter line-of-duty deaths.
Situational awareness is crucial during training evolutions, including alerting supervisors to team members struggling.
NFPA 1500 mandates personnel in dangerous environments to wear personal protective equipment.

Fire Scene Management

The hot zone includes trained personnel actively combating the hazard, while the warm zone supports operations.
Cold zones are designated for rehabilitation and staging equipment during incidents.

Equipment and Lighting Protocols

Inverters convert vehicle DC power into AC for tool operation.
Portable lighting is used in remote or interior building settings; junction boxes connect different plug types.

Communication and Accountability

Personnel accountability systems track individuals in IDLH (immediately dangerous to life and health) environments.
The SCBA tag system determines exit times based on the lowest air pressure reading in the team.

Incident Management and Roadway Safety

Highway incident scene safety guidelines include walking against oncoming traffic and prioritizing the contact of electric companies during power line emergencies.
Company Officers and Driver/Operators manage the positioning of emergency vehicles for responder safety at incidents.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge with this quiz based on Chapter 1 of the 'Essentials of Fire Fighting 7th Edition'. Covering key terms and concepts, this quiz will help reinforce your understanding of fire service missions and operational approaches. Perfect for exam prep!