FIRE SERVICE COMPANY OFFICER SAMPLE QUESTIONS

STRATEGY AND TACTICS (QUESTIONS 1-6):

1. The deciding factor in determining tactics and procedures is:
A. can the fire be confined?
B. life hazard.
C. is there sufficient personnel available to perform a coordinated attack?
D. water supply.
Ans. B
Fire Officer's Handbook of Tactics, 3rd edition; page 9; para. 4
2. Probably the major cause for total loss in taxpayer buildings is:
A. arson.
B. excessive fire load.
C. fire than begins in or extends to the cockloft.
D. fire doors that are illegally propped open.
Ans. C
Fire Officer's Handbook of Tactics, 3rd edition; page 321; para. 2
3. Which of the following are not chemical agents?
A. Toxic agents.
B. Blister agents.
C. Blood agents.
D. Nerve agents.
Ans. A
Fire Officer's Handbook of Tactics, 3rd edition; page 418; para. 2
4. A major downfall of many engine companies is that the crews try to do too many things at once. If
necessary, commit all available personnel to which task?
A. Get the first line in place between the fire and the occupants as soon as possible.
B. Protect the interior stairs.
C. Protect exposures.
D. VES.
Ans. A
Fire Officer's Handbook of Tactics, 3rd edition; page 39; para. 3
5. Only two things should prevent a hoseline's advance -- heat and flame. If heat is what's thwarting the
advance:
A. use a solid stream attack and direct it at the seat of the fire.
B. the answer probably lies in performing additional ventilation.
C. it's probably necessary to resort to an exterior attack.
D. call for the pump operator to increase the discharge pressure.
Ans. B
Fire Officer's Handbook of Tactics, 3rd edition; page 40; para. 2, 3
6. Although the Indirect Method of Attack can work in certain circumstances, it isn't practical for the
majority of structural fires. The first and foremost important reason is:
A. it can increase the likelihood of a backdraft explosion.
B. it requires the use of human and equipment resources that can be better utilized elsewhere.
C. it takes too long to implement.
D. it is totally unsuitable for use on areas that pose a potential life hazard.
Ans. D
Fire Officer's Handbook of Tactics, 3rd edition;page 34; para. 2

SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT (QUESTIONS 7-10)

7. Which of the following best describes empowering employees?
A. A form of delegation that allows subordinates to take responsibility for their actions and decisions.
B. Rewarding employees for effective performance.
C. Permitting subordinates to establish goals and objectives and the policies and procedures to
accomplish the organization's mission.
D. Abandoning the traditional fire service chain of command.
Ans. A
IFSTA, Fire and Emergency Services Company Officer, 4th edition; p. 63, col. 1
8. According to the law, there are two forms of sexual harassment that result in discrimination: quid pro
quo and:
A. any overt, unwanted or unwelcome sexualbehavior.
B. adverse impact in hiring or promotions.
C. hostile work environment.
D. modus vivendi.
Ans. C
IFSTA, Fire and Emergency Services Company Officer, 4th edition; p. 110, col. 2
9. Which of the following completes the communications process, resulting in an ongoing loop?
A. Active listening.
B. Feedback.
C. Understanding.
D. Bilateral communications.
Ans. B
IFSTA, Fire and Emergency Services Company Officer, 4th edition; p. 127, col. 2
10. The true scalar structure of organization is well-suited for dealing with emergency situations for all
of the following reasons except:
A. span of control is maintained.
B. information is centralized for decision-making.
C. functional chain of command is maintained.
D. line and staff functions are combined.
Ans.D
IFSTA, Fire and Emergency Services Company Officer, 4th edition; p. 237, col. 2
INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM (QUESTIONS 11-13)
11. "Groups" are an organizational level responsible for:
A. operations within a defined geographic area.
B. operations within a specific level of command.
C. all phases of an operation.
D. a specific functional assignment.
Ans. D
IFSTA, Fire and Emergency Services Company Officer, 4th edition; p. 741, col. 2
12. The five major strategy level position descriptions within the Incident Command System are:
1. Command.
2. Operations.
3. Tactics.
4. Planning.
5. EMS.
6. Logistics.

7. Finance/Administration.
A. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
B. 1, 2, 3, 5, 7
C. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7
D. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7
Ans. C
Chief Officer, 2nd edition; page 404; col. 2, top
13. In the Incident Management System, operational activities toward specific objectives are at what
level?
A. Strategic.
B. Tactical.
C. Mutual Aid.
D. Branch.
Ans. B
Incident Management System, page 15; 7.02
FIRST RESPONDER (QUESTIONS 14 -17)
14. A DNR order directs that resuscitative efforts not be initiated in the case of cardiac or respiratory
arrest if:
A. it is determined the order meets the requirements of the local jurisdiction.
B. the patient is competent.
C. it has been determined that resuscitation would be futile or would prolong suffering.
D. the patient has a terminal illness.
Ans. C
First Responder Handbook, first edition; page 62; col. 2, bottom to p. 63
15. Asystole occurs when:
A. the heart ceases any electrical activity.
B. AED shocks are completed.
C. the heart beats at a dangerously high rate.
D. heart beats are chaotic and disorganized.
Ans. A
First Responder Handbook, first edition; page 210; col. 1, para. 1
16. The purpose of the initial assessment is to:
A. identify and treat immediate life threats.
B. create a general impression.
C. determine patient's primary complaint.
D. evaluate the scene.
Ans. A
First Responder Handbook, first edition; page 160; col. 2, para. 2
17. What should be done next if direct pressure and elevation do not help in stopping or slowing
external bleeding?
A. Apply a tourniquet.
B. Apply pressure to pressure points.
C. Add bandages to the dressing.
D. Apply a constriction band.
Ans. B
First Responder Handbook, first edition;page 238; col. 1, para. 1

FIRE SCIENCE (QUESTIONS 18-20)

18. Pressure Principle 2 is: Pressure applied on a confined liquid from an external source will be
transmitted equally in all directions throughout the liquid without a reduction in magnitude. This
principle explains:
A. cavitation.
B. water hammer.
C. static pressure.
D. friction loss.
Ans. B
Fire Service Hydraulics and Water Supply; page 14, para. 3
19. The primary way in which water extinguishes fire is by cooling or removing heat from the fire.
Another way water extinguishes fire is by:
A. vaporization.
B. expansion.
C. ionization.
D. smothering.
Ans. D
Fire Service Hydraulics and Water Supply; page 5; para. 5
20. Fog streams are most useful for:
A. fires in extra-hazard occupancies.
B. fires in buildings in which occupants have not been evacuated.
C. enclosed fires.
D. fires in large open spaces.
Ans. C
Fire Service Hydraulics and Water Supply; page 223; bottom