Search, Rescue & Entry
When performing a search, this term describes the path between an inlet (like an open door) and an exhaust (like a vented window) where heat and smoke travel.
What is the Flow Path?
This method of ventilation uses smoke ejectors or fans to "pull" smoke out or "push" fresh air into a structure.
What is Mechanical Ventilation?
This physical law describes the pressure lost as water travels through a hose due to the roughness of the lining and the velocity of the water.
What is Friction Loss?
This method of attack involves applying water directly onto the burning fuel until the fire is extinguished.
What is a Direct Attack?
This property conservation tactic involves using heavy canvas or plastic sheets to protect furniture and electronics from water damage.
What is Salvage?
This rapid search of an area is performed during or immediately after fire suppression to find victims who are in the greatest danger.
What is the Primary Search?
This phenomenon occurs when smoke and heat rise to the highest point in a building and then travel horizontally when they hit a ceiling or roof.
What is Mushrooming?
This term describes the sudden surge of pressure that occurs when the flow of water is stopped abruptly, potentially damaging the hose or pump.
What is Water Hammer?
In this attack method, firefighters direct a stream at the ceiling to cool the hot gas layer and stop radiant heat transfer to the fuel below.
What is an Indirect Attack?
This foam application method involves bouncing the foam stream off a wall or surface so it flows down and covers the fuel.
What is the Bank-Down Method?
This specialized search technique involves one firefighter remaining at the door while others extend into the room using a tether or tool to maintain contact.
What is Oriented Search?
This type of ventilation uses the pressure of a fog stream directed out of a window to create a Venturi effect and draw smoke from a room.
What is Hydraulic Ventilation?
This type of hose roll is used when the hose is to be stored in a rack or carried for easy deployment, with both couplings on the outside.
What is a Donut Roll?
This strategic approach involves applying water from the exterior to cool the fire before transitioning to an interior offensive attack.
What is a Transitional Attack?
This is the most common device used to mix foam concentrate into a water stream using the Venturi effect.
What is an In-Line Eductor?
In forcible entry, these are the four categories of tools: Prying, Pushing/Pulling, Striking, and this.
What is Cutting?
When performing vertical ventilation, this is the name of the small hole cut to identify the direction of the fire and the thickness of the roof decking.
What is a Kerf Cut (or inspection hole)?
A master stream is defined as any stream that discharges more than this many gallons per minute (GPM).
What is 350 GPM?
When fighting a fire in a building with a sprinkler system, the first arriving pumper should always connect to this.
What is the Fire Department Connection (FDC)?
This term describes the physical phenomenon where a pressurized liquid in a container is heated, causing the vessel to fail and the liquid to instantly vaporize and explode.
What is a BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion)?
When performing a "Vent-Enter-Isolate-Search" (VEIS), this is the critical action that must be taken immediately after entering through the window.
What is Closing the door (to isolate the room from the fire)?
This specific mechanical ventilation technique requires the structure to be "pressurized" by a fan at the entry point to force contaminants out of a single exhaust opening.
What is Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV)?
This specific type of nozzle is designed for use in cellars or attics and consists of a rotating head with multiple orifices to create a circular spray pattern.
What is a Bresnan Distributor Nozzle?
This term describes the process of cooling the hot gas layer with short "bursts" or "penciling" of water to prevent flashover without disrupting thermal layering.
What is Gas Cooling?
These are the four ways foam extinguishes fire: Smothering, Separating, Cooling, and this.
What is Penetrating?