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WHAT IS THE FIRE SERVICE MISSION?

TO SAVE LIVES AND TO PROTECT PROPERTY AND THE ENVIRONMENT FROM FIRES AND OTHER HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS. THE MISSION IS MANDATED BY LAW OR ORDINANCE ENACTED BY THE AHJ.

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WHAT IS THE ALL-HAZARD CONCEPT?

A COORDINATED APPROACH TO A WIDE VARIETY OF INCIDENTS WHERE ALL RESPONDERS USE A SIMILAR, COORDINATED APPROACH WITH A COMMON SET OF AUTHORITIES, PROTECTIONS, AND RESOURCES. INCLUDES FIRE SUPPRESSION, EMS, TECHNICAL RESCUE, HAZMAT, AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

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DEFINE AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION (AHJ)

THE ORGANIZATION, OFFICE, OR INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING THE REQUIREMENTS OF A CODE OR STANDARD, OR FOR APPROVING EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, AN INSTALLATION, OR A PROCEDURE. THE AHJ ESTABLISHES WHAT SERVICES ARE NEEDED AND CREATES THE FIRE SERVICE TO MEET THOSE NEEDS.

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WHAT IS SCALAR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE?

THE MOST COMMON FIRE DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE WITH AN UNINTERRUPTED SERIES OF STEPS. DECISIONS AND INFORMATION FLOW FROM THE TOP (FIRE CHIEF) DOWN THROUGH INTERMEDIATE LEVELS TO THE BASE, WITH FEEDBACK FLOWING BACK UP.

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DEFINE CHAIN OF COMMAND

THE FORMAL LINE OF AUTHORITY, RESPONSIBILITY, AND COMMUNICATION WITHIN AN ORGANIZATION, FROM THE FIRE CHIEF AT THE TOP TO FIREFIGHTERS AT THE BOTTOM.

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WHAT IS UNITY OF COMMAND?

AN ORGANIZATIONAL PRINCIPLE WHERE EACH EMPLOYEE REPORTS DIRECTLY TO JUST ONE SUPERVISOR TO ELIMINATE CONFLICTING ORDERS AND MAINTAIN CLEAR DIRECTION.

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WHAT IS SPAN OF CONTROL?

THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SUBORDINATES OR FUNCTIONS THAT ONE SUPERVISOR CAN EFFECTIVELY CONTROL, TYPICALLY THREE TO SEVEN, WITH FIVE CONSIDERED OPTIMUM.

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DEFINE DISCIPLINE IN FIRE SERVICE CONTEXT

AN ORGANIZATION'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND AN INDIVIDUAL'S RESPONSIBILITY TO FOLLOW ORDERS. ADMINISTERED THROUGH RULES, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES DEFINING ACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES. FROM A FIREFIGHTER'S PERSPECTIVE, ACTING ACCORDING TO EXPECTED ROLES BASED ON OWN INITIATIVE.

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WHAT IS DIVISION OF LABOR?

THE PROCESS OF DIVIDING LARGE JOBS INTO SMALLER JOBS TO MAKE THEM MORE MANAGEABLE, EQUALIZE WORKLOADS, AND INCREASE EFFICIENCY. NECESSARY TO ASSIGN RESPONSIBILITY, ASSIGN CLEAR TASKS, AND PREVENT DUPLICATION OF EFFORT.

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WHAT ARE THE THREE TYPES OF FIRE DEPARTMENTS?

CAREER DEPARTMENTS (FULL-TIME PAID FIREFIGHTERS), VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENTS (UNPAID OR PAID-ON-CALL FIREFIGHTERS), AND COMBINATION/COMPOSITE DEPARTMENTS (MIXTURE OF CAREER AND VOLUNTEER).

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DEFINE FIRE COMPANY

THE BASIC UNIT OF FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS CONSISTING OF AN APPARATUS AND FIREFIGHTERS LED BY A COMPANY OFFICER. THE NUMBER OF PERSONNEL IS DETERMINED BY THE AHJ.

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WHAT IS A BATTALION?

A FIRE DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATIONAL SUBDIVISION CONSISTING OF SEVERAL FIRE SERVICE COMPANIES IN A DESIGNATED GEOGRAPHIC AREA, USUALLY THE FIRST ORGANIZATIONAL LEVEL ABOVE INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES OR STATIONS.

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WHAT DOES AN ENGINE COMPANY DO?

PERFORMS FIRE SUPPRESSION DUTIES AT STRUCTURE, VEHICLE, WILDLAND, AND OTHER FIRES. ASSIGNED TO A PUMPING APPARATUS. ADDITIONAL DUTIES MAY INCLUDE SEARCH AND RESCUE, EXTRICATION, VENTILATION, AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE.

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WHAT ARE THE PRIMARY DUTIES OF A TRUCK (LADDER) COMPANY?

PERFORMS FORCIBLE ENTRY, SEARCH AND RESCUE, VENTILATION, SALVAGE, OVERHAUL, AND UTILITIES CONTROL. PROVIDES ACCESS TO UPPER LEVELS OF STRUCTURES AND MAY PROVIDE ELEVATED WATER STREAMS, EXTRICATION, AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE.

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FIREFIGHTER I AND FIREFIGHTER II?

FIREFIGHTER I WORKS UNDER DIRECT SUPERVISION OF A FIREFIGHTER II OR COMPANY OFFICER. FIREFIGHTER II IS TRAINED TO COORDINATE FIREFIGHTER I AND II PERSONNEL UNDER SUPERVISION OF A COMPANY OFFICER, PERFORMS MORE COMPLEX TASKS, AND MAY ASSUME AND TRANSFER COMMAND WITHIN ICS.

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WHAT IS NFPA 1010?

STANDARD ON PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR FIREFIGHTERS. ESTABLISHES BASIC CRITERIA FOR TWO LEVELS OF COMPETENCY: FIREFIGHTER I AND FIREFIGHTER II.

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WHAT IS NFPA 1550?

STANDARD FOR EMERGENCY RESPONDER HEALTH AND SAFETY. SPECIFIES MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR A FIRE DEPARTMENT SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM INCLUDING POLICIES, TRAINING, APPARATUS SAFETY, PPE, EMERGENCY OPERATIONS, FACILITY SAFETY, MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS, AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS.

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WHAT IS NFPA 1582?

STANDARD ON COMPREHENSIVE OCCUPATIONAL MEDICAL PROGRAM FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS. ESTABLISHES MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FIREFIGHTERS.

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DEFINE POLICY

A GUIDE TO DECISION-MAKING WITHIN AN ORGANIZATION. SETS BOUNDARIES AND ESTABLISHES STANDARDS OF CONDUCT EXPECTED FROM MEMBERS. CAN BE WRITTEN OR UNWRITTEN (ORGANIZATIONAL NORMS/PAST PRACTICES).

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DEFINE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP)

DETAILED WRITTEN PLANS THAT LIST SPECIFIC STEPS FOR APPROACHING A RECURRING PROBLEM OR SITUATION, ENABLING ALL MEMBERS TO PERFORM SPECIFIC TASKS TO THE REQUIRED STANDARD. HARD AND FAST RULES THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED.

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOP AND SOG?

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOPS) ARE HARD AND FAST RULES, WHILE STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES (SOGS) ARE SIMILAR BUT MAY ALLOW FIREFIGHTERS SOME LEEWAY IN PARTICULAR SITUATIONS.

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WHAT AGENCIES DO FIRE DEPARTMENTS FREQUENTLY INTERACT WITH?

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AND LOCAL HOSPITALS, EMERGENCY/DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCIES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, UTILITY COMPANIES AND PUBLIC WORKS, AND MEDIA.

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WHAT IS THE INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM (ICS)?

A STANDARDIZED APPROACH TO INCIDENT MANAGEMENT THAT FACILITATES INTERACTION BETWEEN COOPERATING AGENCIES. ADAPTABLE TO INCIDENTS OF ANY SIZE OR TYPE. ALSO KNOWN AS INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (IMS).

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WHAT ARE THE 16 FIREFIGHTER LIFE SAFETY INITIATIVES?

BLUEPRINT FOR CULTURAL CHANGE DEVELOPED BY NFFF IN 2004, ALSO KNOWN AS EVERYONE GOES HOME. INCLUDES INITIATIVES ON CULTURAL CHANGE, ACCOUNTABILITY, RISK MANAGEMENT, EMPOWERMENT TO STOP UNSAFE PRACTICES, TRAINING STANDARDS, FITNESS STANDARDS, RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY, INVESTIGATIONS, GRANTS, POLICIES, VIOLENT INCIDENTS, COUNSELING, PUBLIC EDUCATION, CODE ENFORCEMENT, AND EQUIPMENT DESIGN.

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WHAT IS THE FIRE FIGHTER SAFETY STAND DOWN?

ANNUAL DAY-LONG TRAINING EVENT INITIATED BY IAFC (USUALLY THIRD WEEK OF JUNE) WHERE ALL NONEMERGENCY WORK CEASES TO FOCUS ON FIREFIGHTER SAFETY TOPICS INCLUDING SAFETY PROCEDURES, MEDICAL PHYSICALS, CANCER PREVENTION, AND RELATED TOPICS.

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WHAT IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF FIREFIGHTER FATALITIES?

SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST AS A RESULT OF OVEREXERTION, POOR HEALTH HABITS, OR OCCUPATIONAL STRESS. CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IS THE HIGHEST RISK FACTOR FIREFIGHTERS FACE.

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DEFINE IDLH

IMMEDIATELY DANGEROUS TO LIFE AND HEALTH. ANY ATMOSPHERE THAT POSES AN IMMEDIATE HAZARD TO LIFE OR PRODUCES IMMEDIATE IRREVERSIBLE, DEBILITATING EFFECTS ON HEALTH. REQUIRES FULL PPE INCLUDING SCBA.

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WHAT PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT MUST COMPLY WITH NFPA DESIGN STANDARDS?

ALL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT INCLUDING RESPIRATORY PROTECTION (SCBA, SARS), BODY ARMOR, PROTECTION AGAINST BLOOD AND AIRBORNE PATHOGENS, AND HEARING PROTECTION MUST COMPLY WITH APPROPRIATE NFPA STANDARDS FROM WHEN MANUFACTURED.

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WHY IS CLEAN PPE IMPORTANT?

PPE CAN ABSORB CARCINOGENS AND CONTAMINANTS IN SMOKE. FIREFIGHTERS SHOULD CLEAN PPE AFTER EVERY EXPOSURE AND IDEALLY HAVE TWO SETS SO A CLEAN ENSEMBLE IS AVAILABLE WHILE THE CONTAMINATED ONE IS BEING CLEANED.

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WHAT MUST EMERGENCY OPERATIONS INCLUDE ACCORDING TO NFPA 1550?

MANAGEMENT THROUGH ICS/IMS, RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN, PERSONNEL ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM, LIMITATION TO OPERATIONS THAT CAN BE SAFELY CONDUCTED, RAPID INTERVENTION CREWS FOR FIREFIGHTER RESCUE, REHABILITATION FACILITIES, AND POSTINCIDENT ANALYSIS.

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WHAT ARE FIRE STATION FACILITY REQUIREMENTS UNDER NFPA 1550?

MUST BE DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED COMPLYING WITH NFPA 101 LIFE SAFETY CODE, HAVE SPACE FOR CLEANING/DISINFECTING/STORING INFECTION CONTROL DEVICES, REQUIRE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE, PROHIBIT TOBACCO USE, AND MUST HAVE VEHICLE EXHAUST EXTRACTION SYSTEMS.

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WHAT MEDICAL AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS DOES NFPA 1550 MANDATE?

MEDICAL EVALUATIONS FOR CANDIDATES, PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR HIRING, DESIGNATED PHYSICIAN AVAILABILITY, JOB-RELATED FITNESS STANDARDS, FITNESS MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS, ANNUAL MEDICAL EXAMS, DOCUMENTATION OF INJURIES/EXPOSURES, INFECTION CONTROL PROGRAM, CONFIDENTIAL MEDICAL RECORDS, AND PROHIBITION OF OPERATIONS UNDER INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS.

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WHAT SHOULD A WELLNESS PROGRAM INCLUDE?

GUIDANCE TOWARD HEALTHY LIFESTYLE, MAINTENANCE OF FITNESS FOR DUTY, EDUCATION ON NUTRITION, INFECTION CONTROL, HYPERTENSION, WEIGHT CONTROL, PHYSICAL CONDITIONING, MENTAL HEALTH, TOBACCO CESSATION, AND VACCINATIONS/IMMUNIZATIONS.

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HOW CAN FIREFIGHTER INJURIES BE PREVENTED?

PROVIDING EFFECTIVE TRAINING, MAINTAINING COMPANY DISCIPLINE AND ACCOUNTABILITY, FOLLOWING SAFETY-RELATED SOPS, USING PPE, FOLLOWING RISK MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES, AND USING REHABILITATION FACILITIES AT INCIDENTS.

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WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL STRESS?

A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO STRESS-INDUCED HYPERTENSION AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE. DAMAGE ACCUMULATES OVER TIME AND CAN TAKE YEARS TO DEVELOP. AFFECTS FIREFIGHTERS DUE TO THE REGULAR HIGH STRESS LEVELS OF THE PROFESSION.

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WHAT ARE WARNING SIGNS OF STRESS?

COGNITIVE: MEMORY PROBLEMS, INABILITY TO CONCENTRATE, POOR JUDGMENT, CONSTANT WORRYING. PHYSICAL: PAIN, SLEEP ISSUES, DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS, FREQUENT ILLNESS. EMOTIONAL: MOODINESS, IRRITABILITY, FEELING OVERWHELMED, DEPRESSION. BEHAVIORAL: EATING CHANGES, ISOLATION, NERVOUS HABITS, SUBSTANCE USE, EMOTIONAL OUTBURSTS.

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WHAT IS AN ATYPICALLY STRESSFUL EVENT (ASE)?

ALSO CALLED POTENTIALLY TRAUMATIZING EVENT (PTE). EVENTS THAT ARE MORE STRESSFUL OR ATYPICAL THAN FIREFIGHTERS ROUTINELY ENCOUNTER, WHICH MAY REQUIRE PROFESSIONAL HELP BEYOND INDIVIDUAL COPING ABILITIES.

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WHAT IS POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS (PTS)?

MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL STRAIN WHEN PERSONS EXPERIENCE OR WITNESS TRAUMATIC EVENTS INVOLVING DEATH, THREAT OF DEATH, SERIOUS INJURY, OR THREAT OF PHYSICAL INJURY TO SELF OR OTHERS.

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WHAT IS POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS INJURY (PTSI)?

A BIOLOGICAL TRAUMA FROM EXPERIENCING OR WITNESSING TRAUMATIC EVENTS. NEW TERMINOLOGY TO REDUCE SOCIETAL STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH THE TERM 'DISORDER.' PERSONNEL DIAGNOSED WITH PTS HAVE PTSI.

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WHAT ARE INDICATORS OF PTS?

SUBSTANCE ABUSE, DISCONNECTION/ISOLATION, TROUBLE SLEEPING, IRRITABILITY, LACK OF CONCENTRATION, HYPERSENSITIVITY TO STIMULI, AND DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS TO EVERYDAY EVENTS.

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WHAT IS RESILIENCE?

BEING ABLE TO RESPOND TO ADVERSITY WITHOUT BEING HARMED. A FLEXIBLE ATTITUDE THAT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT A BROAD RANGE OF EMOTIONS AND REACTIONS. ESSENTIAL FOR FIREFIGHTER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

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WHAT ARE POSITIVE COPING MECHANISMS FOR STRESS?

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES (WORKING OUT, HIKING, RUNNING), REACHING OUT TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR SUPPORT, REACHING OUT TO CO-WORKERS WITH SIMILAR EXPERIENCES, DEVELOPING SPIRITUAL LIFE THROUGH CHURCH/VOLUNTEERING/MEDITATION, AND ASKING YOURSELF HOW YOU'RE FEELING AND MAKING POSITIVE CHANGES IN SELF-CARE.

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WHAT IS CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IN FIREFIGHTERS?

THE LEADING CAUSE OF FIREFIGHTER FATALITIES. WORK-RELATED CAUSES INCLUDE EXPOSURE TO SMOKE/CHEMICALS, HEAT STRESS, PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS, LONG IRREGULAR HOURS, AND SLEEP DISRUPTION. NON-WORK CAUSES INCLUDE OBESITY, TOBACCO USE, AND LACK OF FITNESS.

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WHAT CAUSES RESPIRATORY DISEASES IN FIREFIGHTERS?

WHILE CIGARETTE SMOKING IS TYPICAL CAUSE, FIREFIGHTERS CAN CONTRACT RESPIRATORY DISEASES (ASTHMA, LUNG CANCER, COPD) FROM SMOKE, GAS, AND CHEMICAL EXPOSURE INCLUDING CARBON MONOXIDE, HYDROGEN CHLORIDE, NITROGEN OXIDES, SULFUR DIOXIDE, PHOSGENE, AND ALDEHYDES.

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WHY ARE FIREFIGHTERS AT INCREASED CANCER RISK?

NUMEROUS CARCINOGENS ARE PRESENT AT ALL FIRES. TOXIC GASES, VAPORS, AND PARTICULATE MATTER IN SMOKE CONTAMINATE PPE AND INCREASE DERMAL CONTAMINATION RISK AND INHALATION INJURY SEVERITY. MODERN FIRES HAVE MORE MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS THAT BURN HOTTER AND PRODUCE MORE TOXIC CHEMICALS.

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WHAT TYPES OF CANCER ARE FIREFIGHTERS AT HIGHER RISK FOR?

TESTICULAR CANCER, PROSTATE CANCER, NON-HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA, AND MULTIPLE MYELOMA (BONE MARROW CANCER) DUE TO CARCINOGEN EXPOSURE IN FIRES AND APPARATUS EXHAUST FUMES.

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WHAT ARE COMMON CHEMICAL EXPOSURES DURING FIRE FIGHTING?

ACROLEIN, FORMALDEHYDE, NITROGEN DIOXIDE, CARBON MONOXIDE, BENZENE, SULFUR DIOXIDE, AND HYDROGEN CYANIDE. THESE ENTER THROUGH LUNGS (RESPIRATION), DERMAL ABSORPTION (ESPECIALLY FACE, JAW, NECK, GROIN, WRISTS, LOWER LEGS), AND INGESTION (MOUTH).

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HOW DOES TEMPERATURE AFFECT CARCINOGEN ABSORPTION?

ABSORPTION RATES INCREASE 400 PERCENT FOR EVERY 5-DEGREE RISE IN TEMPERATURE. AREAS WITH HIGHEST ABSORPTION INCLUDE GROIN, JAW, FOREHEAD, AND BACK, WITH SIGNIFICANT RATES ALSO ON ARMS, HANDS, AND ANKLES.

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WHAT ARE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PREVENTING CHEMICAL EXPOSURE AT FIRES?

ALWAYS WEAR SCBA IN OR AROUND FIRE-DAMAGED STRUCTURES, REMAIN UPWIND OF FIRES/SMOKE PLUMES, DOFF CONTAMINATED GEAR BEFORE REHAB, DON'T WEAR/STORE CONTAMINATED TURNOUTS IN APPARATUS CAB/VEHICLES/LIVING AREAS, DECONTAMINATE/LAUNDER TURNOUTS AND HOODS AFTER EACH FIRE, WASH HANDS AND NECK IMMEDIATELY AFTER FIRES, AND SHOWER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

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WHAT IS BODY SUBSTANCE ISOLATION (BSI)?

COMPREHENSIVE METHOD OF INFECTION CONTROL WHERE EVERY PATIENT IS ASSUMED TO BE INFECTED. PPE IS WORN TO PREVENT EXPOSURE TO BODILY FLUIDS AND BLOOD-BORNE AND AIRBORNE PATHOGENS.

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