Firefighting Tactics and Staffing Requirements Quiz

12 Questions

Use multiple attack pumpers

A continuous supply of water

Two separate sources of water

Properly timed and reversible ventilation

Improper vent placement

Timing

Attack crews with charged lines should be positioned

An officer, a driver, and two firefighters

Rapid intervention in case of a mayday

Two firefighters

Minimum staffing requirements for a 2000-ft2 two-story single-family dwelling with no basement and no exposures

Smaller crew sizes take longer to complete tasks necessary to combat fires

Study Notes

A rate of flow below the required flow will be ineffective and waste water.
A rate of flow meeting or exceeding the flow requirement will be effective and use less water.
It is better to use multiple attack pumpers to deliver water to areas with limited water supplies.
A continuous supply of water is necessary for offensive operations.
Two separate sources of water should be available whenever possible.
Properly timed and reversible ventilation can support extinguishment efforts.
Improper vent placement can hinder extinguishment and extend the fire.
Positive-pressure venting can be effective in small and large buildings.
Timing is crucial when using the venting tactic to support extinguishment.
Attack crews with charged lines should be positioned before venting or opening a door leading directly to the fire area.

Positive-pressure ventilation can be effective in clearing smoke and heat during fires, but can also have negative effects.
Trench cuts can be used as a defensive tactic to separate the burning area from the uninvolved area.
Staffing requirements for structure fires include hose and ladder crews, rescue crews, and incident management system positions.
NFPA 1710 outlines minimum staffing requirements for a 2000-ft2 two-story single-family dwelling with no basement and no exposures.
NIST conducted experiments to determine the impact of crew size and total staffing on combating single-family dwelling fires.
Smaller crew sizes take longer to complete tasks necessary to combat fires.
It is virtually impossible to conduct safe and effective operations with remote fire companies staffed with fewer than four firefighters.
Understaffed fire companies may have to make difficult decisions regarding personal safety versus saving lives and property.
Failing to staff an IRIC always compromises safety.
Staffing needs could be greater than those listed in NFPA 1710 for typical two-story residential buildings.

Minimum safe staffing for a fire engine company is an officer, a driver, and two fire fighters.
This minimum staffing requires compromises in safety and effectiveness when responding from a remote station.
Four fire fighters on the first-arriving engine company allows for other necessary tasks to be accomplished.
The pump operator is typically assigned as one member of the IRIC.
Rescuing interior fire fighters may require the pump operator to abandon the pump panel.
The fire fighter assigned to connect to a fire hydrant may be located far from the fire building.
The fire fighter assigned to connect to a hydrant may not be able to complete the water supply assignment.
The IRIC is responsible for rapid intervention in case of a mayday.
The IRIC is a team of two fire fighters.
The IRIC is responsible for rescuing fire fighters in distress.