General Knowledge

Question 1

What is the history of the fire service?

Answer 1

The fire service is one of the oldest organized professions in America, with traditions going back centuries.

Origins include bucket brigades and Franklin’s Union Fire Co. in 1736.

Question 2

How has the fire service evolved?

Answer 2

It transitioned from volunteer to municipal paid departments and introduced steam pumpers and motorized engines.

Question 3

What are the modern training standards for firefighters?

Answer 3

National standards (NFPA 1001), fire academies, and continual training on evolving hazards.

Question 4

What is SCBA?

Answer 4

SCBA is a firefighter’s lifeline in the IDLH environment.

Question 5

What are the major components of SCBA?

Answer 5

Cylinder, backplate & harness, facepiece & regulator.

Question 6

What is the purpose of the SCBA cylinder?

Answer 6

It contains high-pressure compressed air (not oxygen) and requires inspections and hydrostatic testing.

Question 7

What does the backplate & harness do in SCBA?

Answer 7

It holds the cylinder securely, distributes weight, and includes PASS integration.

Question 8

What features does the SCBA facepiece & regulator provide?

Answer 8

It provides air seal, HUD display, low-air alarm, and voice amplification.

Question 9

What are the limitations of PPE?

Answer 9

PPE saves lives, but it has hard limits.

Question 10

What are the thermal limitations of PPE?

Answer 10

Survival in flashover lasts only seconds, and steam burns can penetrate gear.

Question 11

What mobility issues does PPE present?

Answer 11

It can be bulky, heavy, and reduce dexterity and hearing.

Question 12

What false security does PPE provide?

Answer 12

It doesn’t stop carcinogen exposure or heat stress.

Question 13

What is the importance of fire service communications?

Answer 13

If you can’t communicate, you can’t coordinate.

Question 14

What is the principle of clear text in radio use?

Answer 14

Avoid 10-codes and use plain language.

Question 15

What is radio discipline?

Answer 15

Use short, direct messages and proper call signs.

Question 16

What are backup systems in fire service communications?

Answer 16

Repeaters and face-to-face communication when comms fail.

Question 17

What is the Incident Management System (IMS)?

Answer 17

IMS is how we control chaos.

Question 18

What is the chain of command in IMS?

Answer 18

Unity of command ensures accountability.

Question 19

What is the role of common terminology in IMS?

Answer 19

It reduces confusion across agencies.

Question 20

What is the scalability of IMS?

Answer 20

It expands or contracts as the incident grows.

Question 21

What is wood frame construction?

Answer 21

Wood frame is common in homes but poses high risks in fire.

Question 22

What are the risks of lightweight construction?

Answer 22

Early collapse due to trusses and OSB.

Question 23

What is the fuel load of wood frame construction?

Answer 23

Wood burns easily and contributes to fire spread.

Question 24

What are the classifications of portable fire extinguishers?

Answer 24

Classes A, B, C, D, K.

Question 25

What does the PASS technique stand for?

Answer 25

Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.

Question 26

What is the importance of firefighter tools and equipment safety?

Answer 26

Tools extend our ability — but only if used safely.

Question 27

What should be included in tool inspections?

Answer 27

Check for defects before and after use.

Question 28

What is the significance of cleaning and inspecting hand tools?

Answer 28

A dull tool is a dangerous tool.

Question 29

What are the types of ropes used in firefighting?

Answer 29

Life safety rope vs utility rope.

Question 30

What are the primary methods of search and rescue?

Answer 30

Search techniques include oriented, right/left-hand, and TIC-guided.

Question 31

What are the types of structural collapse?

Answer 31

Pancake, lean-to, V-shaped, cantilever, A-frame.

Question 32

What are the types of ladders used in firefighting?

Answer 32

Ground ladders and aerial devices.

Question 33

What is the purpose of ventilation in firefighting?

Answer 33

To release heat, smoke, and gases.

Question 34

What is the difference between offensive and defensive fire suppression tactics?

Answer 34

Offensive is high-risk interior attack; defensive is safer exterior protection.

Question 35

What is flashover in fire behavior?

Answer 35

Flashover is the point where all combustibles ignite at once.

Question 36

What is the role of EMS in the fire service?

Answer 36

Today, EMS is the majority of fire service calls.

Question 37

What are the five types of building construction?

Answer 37

Type I: Fire resistive, Type II: Non-combustible, Type III: Ordinary, Type IV: Heavy timber, Type V: Wood frame.

Question 38

What is the purpose of pre-incident planning?

Answer 38

Pre-plans are the firefighter’s playbook before the game starts.