Intro to Fire Service
What does the term, "unity of command" refer to?
Unity of command - Each employee reports directly to just one supervisor. Moving up the chain of command, all personnel ultimately report to the fire chief.
What is a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)
A central location that takes all emergency calls and routes the call to fire, medical, or law enforcement dispatcher.
Which type of building construction is commonly encountered in single-family residences and is known as wood frame construction?
Type 5
What are the 3 mechanisms of heat transfer?
- Conduction
- Convection
- Radiation
Name 3 common IDLH respiratory hazards
-Oxygen deficiency
-Elevated temperatures
-Particulate contaminants
-Gases and vapours
-Airborne pathogens
What two groups are personnel divided into within a fire department?
Line Personnel
Staff Personnel
Name 3 limitations of radio systems.
-Distance
-Physical barriers
-Deadzones
-Interference
-Ambient Noise
What is the primary function of a roof?
Protect the structure and it's contents from the effects of the weather.
What is flash point?
The minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off sufficient vapors to ignite, but not sustain combustion, in the presence of a piloted ignition source.
What would be considered an oxygen deficient atmosphere?
an atmosphere containing less than 19.5% oxygen
Standard of Occupational Health and Safety Programs for fire departments.
NFPA 1500
What is clear text?
Use of plain English in radio communications transmissions. No 10 - codes or agency specific codes are used when using clear text.
What is reinforced concrete?
Concrete that is internally fortified with with steel reinforcement bars or mesh placed within the concrete before it hardens. Reinforcement allows the concrete to resist tensile forces.
What are the stages of fire development?
-Incipient stage
-Growth stage
-Fully developed stage
-Decay stage
What is the NFPA standard for Firefighting protective clothing?
NFPA 1971
Name 3 symptoms of PTSD.
-Substance abuse
-Irritability
-Lack of concentration
-Disconnection from the world around them
-Difficulty sleeping
-Hypersensitivity to stimuli
What is a MDT?
Mobile computer that communicates with other computers on a radio system.
What is the purpose of fire doors?
Fire doors protect openings in fire-rated walls and block the spread of fire within a structure.
What is pyrolysis?
The chemical decomposition of a solid material by heating. Pyrolysis precedes combustion of a solid fuel.
Name the components of a SCBA
-Facepiece
-Hose and regulator
-Shoulder straps
-Waist straps
-Backplate
-Air cylinder
-PASS device and pressure gauge
What position is trained to handle high-angle rescue situations in accordance with NFPA 1006?
Rescue Technician
What is the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)?
U.S Government agency charged with the control of all radio and television communications; acts as the main regulator of radio frequencies in both the public and private sectors.
What are the types of building construction?
Type 1 - Fire Resistive
Type 2 - Non Combustible
Type 3 - Ordinary Construction
Type 4 - Heavy Timber
Type 5 - Wood Frame
Name the components of the fire tetrahedron
Reducing agent, chemical chain reaction, oxidizing agent, heat
What variables affect your air supply duration?
(name 4)
-Cylinder size and beginning pressure
-Physical conditioning
- Task being performed
-Level of training
-The operational environment
-Your level of stress
-Air management techniques