FSCD Station Officer Exam cheat sheet

Fire tetrahedron: fuel, oxygen, heat, and uninhibited chemical chain reaction; removing any one element extinguishes combustion.

Water absorbs about 1 BTU per pound per degree F of sensible heat; latent heat of vaporization adds roughly 970 BTU per pound at 212 F.

Flashover indicators: rollover at ceiling, rapid rise in heat, free-burning ceiling gases, and heat flux at floor exceeding roughly 20 kW/m2.

Ventilation decision rule: ventilate only when the fire location is known and a charged line is in position; uncoordinated ventilation accelerates fire growth.

Transitional attack: brief exterior stream at ceiling gases to cool the upper layer, then interior attack; does not replace interior operations.

Standard fire flow estimate (NFA): GPM = length x width x height / 100 for full involvement of a compartment.

Smoke explosion risk rises with accumulated fuel-rich smoke, restricted openings, and low compartment temperatures; avoid opening without cooling.

ICS span of control: 3 to 7 subordinates per supervisor, with 5 as the working target.

Command is established by the first-arriving officer and transferred face-to-face with a briefing on conditions, actions, and resources.

Incident priorities in order: life safety, incident stabilization, property conservation.

Sector/division assignment: divisions divide by geographic area (floor or side), groups divide by function (ventilation, rescue).

Passport or tag accountability systems track personnel by name, assignment, and entry time; PAR is a roll-call accounting of all personnel.

Mayday criteria: lost, trapped, disoriented, out of air, or entangled; transmitted on the fireground channel with LUNAR (location, unit, name, assignment, resources).

Strategy is declared (offensive, defensive, or transitional) and must match risk/benefit; no defensive operations from inside a collapsing structure.

Inspection sequence: approach and premises, occupancy classification, means of egress, fire protection systems, housekeeping, then documentation.

Means of egress components: exit access, exit, and exit discharge; each must be continuous and unobstructed.

Assembly occupancy occupant load: calculate at the adopted code's square-foot-per-person factor, then verify exit capacity at 0.2 inches per person for level components.

Fire door and damper defects: blocked or propped doors, missing self-closers, and painted fusible links are common violations.

Permit and inspection triggers include hot work, flammable liquid storage, tents and canopies, fireworks, and open burning.

Citation elements: identify the code section, describe the condition, state the corrective action, and set a compliance date.

Sprinkler and alarm records: verify inspection, testing, and maintenance intervals; impaired systems require a fire watch or notification per code.

Type I: noncombustible, fire-resistive protected steel or concrete; Type II: noncombustible with less protection; Type III: exterior noncombustible, interior combustible; Type IV: heavy timber; Type V: wood frame.

Lightweight wood truss and engineered I-joists fail early under fire; expect collapse within minutes of flame impingement.

Balloon-frame construction has continuous stud channels from foundation to roof, allowing rapid vertical fire spread.

Legacy construction features: unprouted ordinary (Type III) buildings and wood lath, both common in older downtown areas.

Fire growth stages: incipient, growth, fully developed, decay; flashover marks transition from growth to fully developed.

Neutral plane in a compartment indicates the boundary between hot upper gases and cooler lower air; its height shifts with ventilation.

Wind-driven fire in high-rise or multiple dwellings can increase heat release and prevent exterior streams from reaching the seat of fire.

ERG guidebook use: identify the material by UN/NA number or name, then use the orange guide for protective actions and the table of initial isolation and protective action distances.

DOT hazard classes: 1 explosives, 2 gases, 3 flammable liquids, 4 flammable solids, 5 oxidizers, 6 toxic, 7 radioactive, 8 corrosive, 9 miscellaneous.

Defensive hazmat operations require PPE and training level; offensive entry requires technician-level training and a documented plan.

Flammable liquid flash points: gasoline about -45 F, diesel about 100-130 F, and ethanol about 55 F.

Water-reactive materials (for example, sodium and calcium carbide) generate flammable gas on contact with water; use dry agents or containment.

Liquefied gases expand roughly 270 times in volume when vaporized; vapor density and wind determine downwind hazard.

Decon corridor sequence: tool drop, gross decon, secondary decon, and medical monitoring before rehab release.

Adult CPR: compressions at 100-120 per minute, depth 2 to 2.4 inches, full recoil, 30:2 ratio with ventilations, and AED as soon as available.

Scene size-up for medical calls: mechanism of injury, number of patients, hazards, and need for additional resources.

START triage categories: green (walking), yellow (delayed), red (immediate), black (deceased or expectant).

Extrication phases: size-up, stabilization, access, disentanglement, removal, and transport.

Vehicle stabilization: cribbing, wheel chocks, and struts before patient contact; disconnect battery and manage supplemental restraints.

Lifting and moving: keep the load close, use legs, and maintain a neutral spine; team lifting is required for loads above individual capacity.

Rescue rope systems: anchors rated for the load, a mainline and belay, and a redundant backup; never rely on a single-point anchor without backup.

Friction loss formula: FL = C x Q squared x L, where C is the coefficient, Q is flow in hundreds of GPM, and L is hose length in hundreds of feet.

Common hose coefficients: 1.75-inch about 15.5, 2.5-inch about 2, 3-inch about 0.8, and 4-inch about 0.2.

Pump discharge pressure = nozzle pressure + friction loss + elevation loss (0.5 psi per foot of rise) + appliance loss.

Static water supply: draft lift is limited to about 25 feet at sea level and drops with altitude and worn pumps.

Relay pumping: maintain intake pressure at each pump; use dump valves and manifolds to balance flow.

Apparatus placement: position for access, water supply, and egress; keep at least one lane open for incoming units.

Aerial apparatus setup: check slope, set outriggers on stable ground, and verify overhead obstructions before raising the ladder.

Progressive discipline steps: documented coaching, verbal warning, written warning, suspension, and termination, consistent with policy and labor agreement.

Training documentation should record date, topic, instructor, hours, and attendee signatures for each session.

NFPA 1500 and NFPA 1582 govern fire department occupational safety and health programs and medical fitness standards.

Span of control and unity of command apply to supervision: each member reports to one supervisor.

After-action review structure: what was planned, what happened, why, and what changes are needed.

Performance counseling uses specific observed behavior and measurable expectations rather than personality judgments.

Succession planning identifies task books, certifications, and mentoring needs for each promotion track.

NFIRS reporting: incident type, actions taken, and property use codes must be consistent; the basic module is required for every incident.

Run reports should be completed before end of shift and reviewed by the company officer for accuracy and completeness.

Personnel records include training, certifications, medical surveillance, exposure reports, and disciplinary actions; retention follows department and legal schedules.

Public records requests: respond within the statutory time frame and redact protected health and personnel information.

Budget line items: personnel, operations, capital, and debt service; apparatus replacement is a capital expense.

Grant compliance requires documented use of funds, matching contributions, and reporting deadlines.

OSHA 1910.134 respiratory protection program elements: written program, medical evaluation, fit testing, training, and recordkeeping.

Risk management: accept risk when the potential benefit outweighs the risk; no risk to save a life already lost.

Firefighter MAYDAY and rapid intervention: a dedicated RIT crew is assigned at working fires, with tools staged at the entry point.

SCBA air management: use the rule of thirds or department policy; turn around at one-third remaining and exit with a reserve.

Heat stress controls: rehab after 20 to 30 minutes of work, fluid replacement, cooling, and medical monitoring.

Cancer prevention: gross decon on scene, bag contaminated gear, and shower within the hour after fire exposure.

Vehicle operations: seat belts at all times, spotter for backing, and speed limits per department policy and state law.

Near-miss reporting and injury investigation feed the safety program; trends drive training and policy changes.