Firefighter I II Exam Questions

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21.

Which of the following best describes the form of energy created when two surfaces rub against each other or when a gas is compressed?

  • Mechanical energy

  • Combustion energy

  • Electrical energy

  • Forced energy

Correct answer: Mechanical energy

Mechanical energy is the energy of friction and compression. When two substances are rubbed together, friction causes the surfaces of the material to rise. This rubbing may also produce sparks. Compressing gas also creates heat by forcing the molecules of the gas closer together.  

Combustion energy is not a form of energy.

Electrical energy is a seperate mode of energy.

Forced energy is not a term used to describe energy.

22.

Air monitoring equipment must be fully understood when using it to determine the safety of the atmosphere in which firefighters will be working. What sort of test should be performed on air monitors being taken to an incident?

  • Bump test

  • Sniff test

  • Bottle test

  • Rapid calibration

Correct answer: Bump test

A bump test should be performed on any air monitor before being taken to an incident. This test introduces a known concentration of target gas to ensure the monitor responds correctly. It verifies that sensors and alarms are functioning properly, ensuring that the device can accurately detect harmful gases at the scene.

A sniff test is not a recognized method for testing air monitors and generally refers to a manual or informal way of sensing odors. A bottle test does not apply to air monitoring equipment and is typically associated with testing liquid samples. Rapid calibration refers to a quick adjustment of the monitor’s sensors but is not a substitute for the bump test that checks actual sensor response with a known gas concentration. 

23.

Knots are used to join rope and webbing; attach ropes and webbing to people and objects; and form loops in the rope or webbing. What is the term that best describes the free end of a rope that is used for hoisting or pulling?

  • Running part

  • Working end

  • Standing part

  • Bitter end

Correct answer: Running part

The running part is the portion of the rope used for pulling or hoisting loads. It is typically the free-moving part of the rope, critical in lifting or hauling tasks.

The working end of the rope is the end used to tie knots or create hitches. While this part may sometimes be involved in lifting tasks, its primary purpose is to secure knots, not to pull.

The standing part refers to the section of the rope that lies between the working end and the running part. It is usually the inactive portion of the rope when knots are tied.

The bitter end is a term used in nautical settings and refers to the very end of a rope. It is not a common technical term in firefighting or rescue operations.

24.

What NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) regulation outlines Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to be worn in an Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) atmosphere?

  • NFPA 1500

  • NFPA 1977

  • NFPA 1970

  • NFPA 1001

Correct answer: NFPA 1500

NFPA 1500 outlines Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to be worn in an Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) atmosphere.

25.

Firefighters are exposed to the danger of electrical shock when attempting to isolate the electrical power system in electric or hybrid vehicles as they contain higher voltages than conventional fuel vehicles. What color do most vehicle manufacturers use to assist emergency responders with recognizing high-voltage power wires?

  • Orange

  • Blue

  • Red

  • Green

Correct answer: Orange

Most vehicle manufacturers use orange tape or shielding to assist emergency responders with recognizing high-voltage power wires in electric or hybrid vehicles.

Saturn is the only vehicle manufacturer that uses blue to identify its 36-volt system. Red and green are not colors used by manufacturers to identify high-voltage power wires.

26.

Firefighters use a variety of stabilizing tools to ensure objects do not move and cause further damage. Which stabilizing tool would be used to prevent emergency vehicles from moving when parked?

  • Wheel chock

  • Buttress tension system

  • Cribbing material

  • Screw jack

Correct answer: Wheel chock

A wheel chock is used to prevent emergency vehicles from moving when parked. A wheel chock is a block of wood, plastic, or metal placed against a tire to prevent a vehicle from moving.

A buttress tension system is used to stabilize vehicles resting on their sides. Cribbing material is used to stabilize debris after a structural collapse. A screw jack is used to hold an object in place.

27.

What is a PSAP?

  • A PSAP is a facility equipped and staffed to receive emergency and non-emergency calls requesting public safety services 

  • A PSAP is a facility equipped and staffed to receive emergency calls requesting public safety services 

  • A PSAP is an acronym for the collective name of each station at a fire department

  • A PSAP is an unmanned facility with CAD systems

Correct answer: A PSAP is a facility equipped and staffed to receive emergency and non-emergency calls requesting public safety services 

A Public-Safety Answering Point (PSAP), sometimes called a Public-Safety Access Point, is a facility equipped and staffed to receive emergency and non-emergency calls requesting public safety services. 

28.

Many new fire apparatus are equipped with portable lighting equipment. Maintaining this portable lighting equipment requires different techniques than other specialized equipment. Which of the following is not one of the recommended maintenance items that is regularly performed on portable lighting equipment?

  • Repeatedly turn the portable lighting equipment on and off

  • Inspect all electrical cords and other parts of the system

  • Operate the portable lighting system using the portable generator carried on the apparatus

  • Replace any non-working light bulbs with the appropriate size and wattage of bulb

Correct answer: Repeatedly turn the portable lighting equipment on and off

Portable lighting equipment does not need to be repeatedly turned on and off as part of the maintenance procedures. Doing so can stress generators and cause light bulbs to fail prematurely. The items that should regularly be performed when inspecting portable lighting equipment are:

  • Inspection of all electrical cords and connectors for damaged insulation, bare wires, or broken plugs
  • Operating of the lighting equipment with portable generators
  • Replace non-working light bulbs with the appropriate size and wattage of bulb

29.

You are on scene with a young adult who may be suffering the adverse effects of some type of poisoning, when he begins to convulse or seize uncontrollably. Which of the following potential toxins is most likely to cause this to occur?

  • Organophosphate poisoning

  • Asbestos poisoning

  • Arsenic poisoning

  • Benzene poisoning

Correct answer: Organophosphate poisoning

Some toxins may cause convulsions if accidental/intentional ingestion occurs. Convulsions cause involuntary muscle spasms and contractions. Examples of potential toxins most likely to cause this adverse reaction are strychnine, organophosphates, and carbamates.

Other agents are more likely to cause long-term problems, such as cancer, in people who come in contact with the substance for prolonged periods of time. These agents/toxins are known as carcinogens and include agents such as PVC, benzene, asbestos, arsenic, nickel, and many other types of plastics. Asbestos is classified as a carcinogen; it isn't likely to cause convulsions if exposure occurs. However, long-term exposure may cause cancer. Arsenic poisoning is likely to cause vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dehydration, cardiac problems, and hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells). It isn't a known convulsant and should not cause it to occur after exposure. Another known carcinogen is benzene. Benzene at very large (uncommon) doses can cause convulsions in some people. However, Benzene is a known carcinogen and is classified as such. It is not as likely to cause convulsions as organophosphate poisoning.

30.

Ropes used in fire service can be composed of synthetic or natural fibers. Which of the following is an example of a synthetic fiber commonly used in rope manufacturing? 

  • Polyester

  • Manila

  • Sisal

  • Cotton

Correct answer: Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic fiber widely used in rope manufacturing for fire service due to its durability, resistance to moisture, and ability to maintain strength when wet. Other common synthetic fibers include nylon, polypropylene, and Kevlar. These fibers are often preferred for their longer lifespan and resistance to mold, mildew, and rot, making them ideal for fire service applications.

Manila, sisal, and cotton are all natural fibers. Manila is derived from the abacá plant, sisal comes from the agave plant, and cotton is a soft fiber harvested from the cotton plant. These natural fibers are more prone to degradation from moisture and exposure to elements, making them less ideal for long-term use in fire service.

31.

Which of the following is not one of the three most common types of hose loads used on fire apparatus?

  • U-load

  • Flat

  • Accordion

  • Horseshoe

Correct answer: U-load

U-load is not a recognized term for a fire hose load. The three most common hose loads on fire apparatus are the flat load, accordion load, and horseshoe load. These hose loads are designed to maximize efficiency, ease of deployment, and effective storage of the hose on the fire apparatus.

Flat, accordion, and horseshoe hose loads are widely used because they allow firefighters to deploy hoses with minimal tangling and kinking. The flat load is particularly useful for large-diameter hoses, the accordion load allows for compact storage, and the horseshoe load provides efficient deployment of long hose stretches.

32.

What is the flammable range for gasoline?

  • 1.4% to 7.6%

  • 1.3% to 6%

  • 3.3% to 19%

  • 6% to 35.5%

Correct answer: 1.4% to 7.6%

The flammable range for gasoline is 1.4% to 7.6%. The lower flammable limit is 1.4%, which means anything below 1.4% is too thin to burn. The upper flammable limit is 7.6%, which means anything above 7.6% is too rich to burn.

The flammable range for diesel is 1.3% to 6%. The flammable range for ethanol is 3.3% to 19%. The flammable range for methanol is 6% to 35.5%.

33.

When describing resources in the NIMS-ICS terminology, which type of resource would be described as a set number of resources of the same kind and type that have an established minimum number of personnel?

  • Strike team

  • Task force

  • Crew

  • Hotshot team

Correct answer: Strike team

Strike teams are groups of apparatus and personnel who have communications abilities and a leader in a separate vehicle. Strick teams remain together and function as a team for the duration of the incident.

A task force is a combination of resources assembled for a specific mission or assignment. The units must have common communication capability and designated leaders.  

A crew is a specific number of personnel assembled for a specific task or assignment and has a designated crew leader.

Hotshot team is not a term used in NIMS-ICS to describe resources.

34.

Respiratory protection equipment comes in two categories. One form of respiratory protection equipment is designed to provide only protection from particulate material in the surrounding air. 

Which of the following best describes this type of protection?

  • Air-purifying respirators

  • Air-supplying respirators

  • SCBA

  • Rebreathers

Correct answer: Air-purifying respirators

Air-purifying respirators (APRs) filter out particulate contaminants from the surrounding air, such as dust, smoke, and aerosols. They do not supply breathable air and rely on the ambient atmosphere, making them suitable only in environments where there is enough oxygen and no toxic gases.

Air-supplying respirators provide a clean air supply from an external source and are used in environments where the ambient air is unsafe. 

Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is a type of air-supplying respirator, typically used in firefighting, as it provides a reliable air supply in oxygen-deficient or toxic environments. 

Rebreathers recycle exhaled air to extend the supply of breathable air, but they are generally not used in firefighting due to limited duration and safety concerns.

35.

If a firefighter needed to attach a rope to the fire hose, what type of knot or hitch would they use?

  • Clove hitch

  • Bowline knot

  • Half-hitch

  • Figure-eight bend

Correct answer: Clove hitch

A clove hitch is the most appropriate knot for attaching a rope to a fire hose. It is designed to securely attach a rope to cylindrical objects such as poles, hoses, or posts, which makes it ideal for this purpose. This knot is reliable for general use but should not be used for life-saving situations, as it may loosen under certain conditions.

A bowline knot is used to create a secure loop at the end of a rope and is often used in rescue operations or for securing objects, but it is not suitable for attaching a rope to a hose. A half-hitch is a simple knot used alongside other knots to add stability, especially for securing long objects, but it is not strong enough to attach a rope directly to a hose. A figure-eight bend is primarily used to join two ropes of equal diameter, making it inappropriate for this situation.

36.

When would you utilize fuel removal as a form of fire extinguishment over oxygen exclusion? 

  • Wildland firefighting

  • Structural firefighting

  • Aircraft rescue and firefighting 

  • EMS operations

Correct answer: Wildland firefighting

Wildland firefighting involves using tactics like fuel removal to stop the fire from spreading. In wildland fires, digging trenches or creating firebreaks removes vegetation and other fuels that the fire needs to continue burning. This is an effective strategy when the fire is moving through areas with easily removable fuels like brush or grass.

Fuel removal is generally not used in structural firefighting because the primary fuel—buildings and their contents—cannot easily be removed. Structural firefighting relies more on oxygen exclusion (e.g., using water to reduce heat and cut off oxygen). 

Aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) typically focuses on foam application to exclude oxygen from fuel spills or fires around aircraft, not removing the fuel source. 

Emergency medical services (EMS) operations are unrelated to fire suppression techniques, as their focus is on patient care during medical emergencies.

37.

If a firefighter needed to prevent a rope from passing through a rescue pulley, what type of knot or hitch would they use?

  • Figure-eight knot

  • Clove hitch

  • Handcuff knot

  • Becket bend

Correct answer: Figure-eight knot

The figure-eight knot is the most common stopper knot used in rescue operations to prevent the rope from passing through a pulley or descending device. It creates a larger knot that effectively blocks the rope's passage, ensuring safety and control in rescue systems.

The clove hitch is primarily used to secure a rope to a stationary object such as a post or hose and does not function as a stopper knot. The handcuff knot is employed to bind limbs during a rescue or extraction, not for rope control. The becket bend is designed for connecting two ropes, particularly when they are of different sizes, but it has no application as a stopper knot.

38.

Foam is classified according to its foam expansion ratio. High-expansion foam’s ratio is between 200:1 and 1,000:1. What are high-expansion foams used for?

  • Extinguishing fires in confined spaces

  • Cooling class A fires

  • Extinguishing class B fires

  • Suppressing vapors from hazardous material spills

Correct answer: Extinguishing fires in confined spaces

High-expansion foams are used to extinguish fires in confined spaces. High-expansion foams are generally created using high-expansion foam generators.

Medium-expansion foams are used for suppressing vapors from hazardous material spills. Low-expansion foams are used to cool class A fires and extinguish class B fires.

39.

Maintaining the tools and equipment carried on fire apparatus is an important part of a firefighter's regular duties. When inspecting and maintaining pneumatic equipment, which of the following is not one of the expected duties of a firefighter?

  • Inspect and replace as necessary any seals and o-rings on the pneumatic tools

  • Keep all air cylinders used to supply pneumatic tools fully charged

  • Inspect all supply hoses used to deliver compressed air to pneumatic tools for damage

  • Inspect all fittings, both regular and quick disconnect, for damage or debris in the fittings

Correct answer: Inspect and replace as necessary any seals and o-rings on the pneumatic tools

In general, inspecting and replacing o-rings and seals on pneumatic tools is a job that should be performed by a trained technician, not a firefighter. Firefighters are normally charged with the following during inspection and maintenance of pneumatic tools:

  • Keep pneumatic air cylinders fully charged
  • Inspect supply hoses for damage
  • Inspect and clean all hose fittings

40.

The International Building Code (IBC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) have classified five different types of building construction. Which type of building construction contains an exterior constructed of noncombustibleor limited combustible materials and an interior constructed completely or partially of wood?

  • Type III

  • Type I

  • Type II

  • Type V

Correct answer: Type III

Type III building construction contains an exterior constructed of noncombustible or limited combustible materials and an interior constructed completely or partially of wood. Type III construction is also known as ordinary construction.

Type I building construction contains structural components able to resist fire for 3 to 4 hours. 

Type II building construction contains structural components able to resist fire for 1 to 2 hours. 

Type V building construction is composed of load-bearing walls constructed of wood and covered with various types of siding, wood, metal, or masonry products.