Civil Process
In civil law, the burden of proof requires the plaintiff to show their claim is more likely true than not. This standard is symbolized as: ≥ 51% certainty. What is it called?
Preponderance of the Evidence
Under ICS, one person is always in charge of the entire incident. This person is called the _______ _______.
Incident Commander
First responders use this color-coded reference book to identify hazardous materials and find safe response guidelines at the scene of a HAZMAT incident. What is it called?
The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)
What is the landmark 1989 Supreme Court case that established the use of force continuum.
Graham v. Connor
A law enforcement officer arrives at a scene where an unknown liquid is spilling from a overturned vehicle. The FIRST thing the officer should do before approaching is identify the substance using this orange reference book. What is it called?
The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)
A civil court issues this document, marked with ⚠ LEGAL OBLIGATION, requiring a witness to appear and testify. What is it?
A Subpoena
Under ICS, this officer has the authority to stop any operation on scene that they believe puts responders in danger. What is this position called?
Safety Officer
On a HAZMAT placard, the diamond shape is divided into four colored sections. The RED section on the top of the diamond represents what type of hazard?
Fire Hazard
An officer responds to a call and encounters a subject who is verbally aggressive but has not yet made any physical movement toward the officer. According to the Use of Force Continuum, the officer's FIRST response should be to use _______ _______ before escalating to any physical force.
Verbal Commands
A HAZMAT first responder arrives at a scene and sees a placard with the number 1203. No ERG is available. What is the FIRST action they should take?
Isolate the area, deny entry, and call for HAZMAT specialists: do not approach without proper PPE and identification
The 4th Amendment protects against unreasonable searches. An officer needs this document, issued by a judge and marked ✓ PROBABLE CAUSE, before searching a home. What is it?
A Search Warrant
Under ICS, every incident must have a written plan that outlines the objectives, strategies, and assignments for each operational period. What does IAP stand for?
Incident Action Plan
At a HAZMAT scene, victims who have been exposed to a dangerous substance must go through this process before they can be transported to a hospital or moved to the cold zone. What is this process called?
Decontamination (Decon)
During a use of force incident, an officer must be able to articulate every action taken. This written documentation of what force was used, why it was used, and what the subject was doing is recorded in what document?
Use of Force Report / Incident Report
Under Texas law, § 9.32 of the Penal Code authorizes the use of deadly force in self-defense. An officer may use deadly force when they _______ or _______ serious bodily injury or death.
Reasonably Believe / Reasonably Believe (they or another person face imminent serious bodily injury or death)
A Texas constable serves this document, officially notifying them that a civil lawsuit has been filed and they must respond within a set number of days. What is this document called?
A Citation
During a large disaster, multiple agencies arrive on scene: police, fire, EMS, and federal teams. Instead of one person being in charge, ICS allows these agencies to share leadership. What is this structure called?
Unified Command
Class 1 — Explosives
Class 2 — Gases
Class 3 — Flammable & Combustible Liquids
Class 4 — Flammable Solids
Class 5 — Oxidizers
Class 6 — Toxic & Infectious Substances
Class 7 — Radioactive Materials
Class 8 — Corrosives
Class 9 — Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials/Goods
When applying handcuffs, officers double-lock the mechanism. Why?
Double-locking prevents the cuffs from continuously tightening, creating a fixed position that prevents injury.
NIMS Principle: All incidents, regardless of size should begin with these five ICS functions. Name ALL FIVE.
Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics, Finance/Administration
In a civil lawsuit, the person who is SUED is called the __________. The person who FILES the lawsuit is called the __________.
Defendant / Plaintiff
A massive chemical plant explosion occurs in Forney, Texas. Forney PD, Kaufman County Sheriff, TxDOT, and FEMA all respond. Under ICS, each agency keeps its own CHAIN OF COMMAND internally, but all report to one unified structure on scene. What ICS principle symbolized → ONE SYSTEM, MANY AGENCIES makes this possible?
Unified Command
A first responder arrives at a scene and spots a placard with a YELLOW diamond. Using the DOT classification system, yellow indicates an oxidizer. Name the class number AND explain why oxidizers are especially dangerous at an emergency scene.
Class 5, Oxidizers are dangerous because they release oxygen, which rapidly accelerates fire and can cause other materials to combust that would not normally burn.
Tennessee v. Garner (1985) ruled that deadly force may NOT be used simply because a suspect is fleeing. Officers may use deadly force only if the suspect poses a _______ _______ of death or serious bodily harm.
Significant Threat
A suspect is fleeing on foot after committing a non-violent misdemeanor. An officer draws their weapon and fires, striking the suspect. Using BOTH Graham v. Connor AND Tennessee v. Garner, explain why this use of deadly force would likely be ruled UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
Graham v. Connor, the force was not objectively reasonable given the circumstances. Tennessee v. Garner, deadly force cannot be used on a fleeing suspect who does not pose a significant threat of death or serious bodily injury to the officer or others