I85PREP
⌘ K
CPS Firefighter study materials
CPS Firefighter study resources

CPS Firefighter practice questions

One question at a time. Build your CPS Firefighter understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1Reading Comprehension

At the start of each shift, firefighters inspect their protective gear, check the apparatus, and review the day's training plan. These routines may look repetitive, but they ensure that equipment works when it is needed and that every crew member knows the plan before an emergency occurs. Which statement best expresses the main idea?

  1. Start-of-shift routines prepare crews for emergencies. Correct answer.
  2. Protective gear seldom needs to be replaced.
  3. Equipment inspections take more time than training drills.
  4. Emergency calls are impossible to predict.

Explanation

The passage lists inspection, apparatus checks, and training review, then states that these routines ensure equipment works and crews know the plan. Those details all point to readiness as the central idea. The passage does not compare time spent or claim that gear rarely needs replacement.

Question 2Reading Comprehension

Firefighters must keep at least three feet of clear space around fire hydrants. A blocked hydrant can delay connecting a hose, and those minutes matter when a fire is spreading. According to the passage, why must the space around a hydrant stay clear?

  1. To allow a quick hose connection Correct answer.
  2. To keep water pressure steady
  3. To leave room for parked cars
  4. To prevent the hydrant from rusting

Explanation

The passage directly states that a blocked hydrant can delay connecting a hose. It explains that such delays matter because fire can spread quickly. The other choices are not mentioned as reasons for keeping the area clear.

Question 3Reading Comprehension

The incident commander's orders were terse: "Evacuate the second floor and report to me." She had no time for lengthy explanations. As used in the passage, the word "terse" most nearly means

  1. polite
  2. confusing
  3. loud
  4. brief Correct answer.

Explanation

Terse means using few words, often to the point. The commander's short order and the statement that she had no time for lengthy explanations support that meaning. Confusing, polite, and loud describe other qualities that the passage does not emphasize.

Question 4Reading Comprehension

A family heard a smoke alarm chirp once every minute. They assumed the battery was low but delayed replacing it for several days. The alarm later failed to sound during a small kitchen fire. What can the reader most reasonably infer?

  1. The chirp was a warning they ignored. Correct answer.
  2. The alarm was installed incorrectly.
  3. The family tested the alarm every week.
  4. The kitchen fire was caused by the alarm.

Explanation

A chirp every minute is a common low-battery warning, and the family chose to delay replacing the battery. The later failure to sound supports the inference that they ignored a meaningful warning. Nothing in the passage shows an installation error, a weekly test, or that the alarm started the fire.

Question 5Reading Comprehension

When a call comes in, the dispatcher assigns the closest available unit. The crew confirms the address, dons protective gear, and boards the apparatus. Only after the officer confirms everyone is seated does the driver leave the station. According to the passage, which step happens immediately before the driver leaves the station?

  1. The officer confirms everyone is seated. Correct answer.
  2. The crew dons protective gear.
  3. The dispatcher assigns the closest unit.
  4. The crew confirms the address.

Explanation

The passage says the driver leaves only after the officer confirms everyone is seated. That phrase places the officer's confirmation directly before departure. Dispatching, confirming the address, and donning gear all happen earlier in the sequence.

Question 6Reading Comprehension

Because the alley was narrow, the ladder truck could not turn into it. The crew instead parked one block away and carried a ground ladder to the building. Why did the crew carry a ground ladder to the building?

  1. The building had no windows.
  2. The ladder truck had a flat tire.
  3. The ground ladder was lighter.
  4. The truck could not reach the building. Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage states that the narrow alley prevented the ladder truck from turning in. As a result, the crew parked away and carried a ground ladder to the building. The flat tire, window, and weight details are not given as reasons.

Question 7Reading Comprehension

This manual explains how to check a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) before each use. Follow every step in order; skipping a step can leave you without air when you need it most. What is the author's main purpose?

  1. to entertain readers with a rescue story
  2. to compare two SCBA brands
  3. to persuade readers to become firefighters
  4. to instruct readers in a safety check Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage is a manual excerpt that explains how to check SCBA equipment and directs readers to follow steps in order. Its language is instructional and focused on safe procedure. It does not tell a story, compare brands, or recruit new firefighters.

Question 8Reading Comprehension

A fire extinguisher puts out small fires quickly, but it empties in seconds. A fire hose delivers a steady supply of water, yet it takes time to connect and requires two firefighters to control. What main contrast does the passage draw between the two tools?

  1. Extinguishers cost less than fire hoses.
  2. Hoses are used only outdoors.
  3. Each tool has clear trade-offs. Correct answer.
  4. Extinguishers require more training to use.

Explanation

The passage pairs a benefit of each tool with a limitation: extinguishers act quickly but empty fast, while hoses supply steady water but take time and manpower. That structure emphasizes trade-offs rather than cost, location, or training. No price or training comparison is provided.

Question 9Reading Comprehension

Crew A attacked the fire from the front door and pushed smoke toward the bedrooms. Crew B opened a rear window before advancing. The victims were found quickly in the bedrooms. Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?

  1. The victims were hiding under beds.
  2. Crew A's approach was safer and faster.
  3. Venting before entry improved conditions inside. Correct answer.
  4. The fire started in the rear bedroom.

Explanation

Crew B opened a rear window before advancing, a tactic that can release smoke and heat and improve visibility. Because the victims were then found quickly in the bedrooms, the passage supports the conclusion that venting helped conditions inside. It does not identify the fire's origin, the victims' exact location, or prove which crew was safer.

Question 10Reading Comprehension

The report noted that the department's response time had improved by ninety seconds, but it also warned that staffing shortages could reverse that gain unless hiring continued. Which word best describes the report's tone?

  1. indifferent
  2. triumphant
  3. cautious Correct answer.
  4. hostile

Explanation

The report acknowledges a real improvement but immediately warns that the gain could be reversed without continued hiring. That balanced, guarded message is cautious rather than fully celebratory or hostile. Indifference would not include a warning about future staffing.

Question 11Reading Comprehension

The incident report states that the fire began in a storage closet and spread through a shared wall. It notes that no sprinklers were present and that the building had no working smoke detectors. The report recommends adding both systems and scheduling a follow-up inspection in thirty days. What is the main purpose of the report's recommendations?

  1. To list the responding units and their arrival times
  2. To record the weather conditions at the scene
  3. To propose prevention measures Correct answer.
  4. To identify the exact cause of the fire

Explanation

The recommendations call for adding sprinklers and smoke detectors and scheduling an inspection. These are preventive steps, not a cause report, unit list, or weather record.

Question 12Reading Comprehension

The training bulletin says recruits must don their turnout gear within sixty seconds. It defines 'don' as putting on protective clothing properly, including fastening all closures. In the bulletin, what does 'don' mean?

  1. Inspect carefully
  2. Put on Correct answer.
  3. Store neatly
  4. Remove quickly

Explanation

The bulletin directly defines 'don' as putting on protective clothing properly. The time limit and closure detail describe how to wear the gear, not removal, inspection, or storage.

Question 13Reading Comprehension

The drill notice reads: 'When the alarm sounds, close all doors behind you. Move to the nearest stairwell, not the elevator. At the ground floor, exit and report to the assembly area.' According to the notice, what should a person do immediately after moving into the nearest stairwell?

  1. Close all doors behind them
  2. Exit at the ground floor Correct answer.
  3. Report to the assembly area
  4. Take the elevator to the lobby

Explanation

The notice lists the steps in order: close doors, use the stairwell, exit at the ground floor, then report to the assembly area. The step after entering the stairwell is reaching the ground floor and exiting.

Question 14Reading Comprehension

A department policy states that any firefighter who misses a scheduled training session must complete a makeup session within fourteen days. The policy also says a supervisor may waive the makeup requirement only for documented medical leave. What can be inferred about a firefighter who missed training because of a vacation?

  1. Be excused because vacation counts as medical leave
  2. Lose eligibility for promotion for one full year
  3. Finish the makeup training within fourteen days Correct answer.
  4. Repeat the entire recruit academy from the beginning

Explanation

The policy allows a waiver only for documented medical leave. Vacation is not medical leave, so the standard fourteen-day makeup rule applies.

Question 15Reading Comprehension

After the warehouse fire, investigators found that pallets stacked too close to a heater ignited. The fire spread quickly because the aisle was lined with cardboard boxes. The report recommends maintaining eighteen inches of clearance around heaters and removing cardboard from aisles. According to the report, what caused the fire to spread quickly?

  1. Cardboard boxes lined the aisle Correct answer.
  2. The sprinkler system failed to activate
  3. The heater malfunctioned and ignited the roof
  4. The loading doors were locked from outside

Explanation

The passage says the aisle was lined with cardboard boxes and that this made the fire spread quickly. The heater ignited the pallets, but the cardboard is identified as the reason for rapid spread.

Question 16Reading Comprehension

A foam extinguisher smothers flammable liquid fires by sealing the surface, while a water extinguisher cools burning materials. Foam is preferred for gasoline spills; water is preferred for ordinary combustibles such as paper and wood. According to the passage, why is foam preferred for gasoline spills?

  1. It works safely on electrical fires
  2. It seals the fuel surface Correct answer.
  3. It cools the fuel below its ignition point
  4. It is less expensive than water

Explanation

The passage states that foam smothers flammable liquid fires by sealing the surface. Water is described as cooling burning materials, which is not the reason foam is preferred for gasoline.

Question 17Reading Comprehension

Memo: The department will begin using electronic patient care reports on March 1. Paper forms will no longer be accepted after March 15. Training sessions will be held each Tuesday. Supervisors must ensure every crew member attends one session before the switch. What is the author's main purpose?

  1. To describe a past fire and its cause
  2. To announce a transition and its requirements Correct answer.
  3. To compare the costs of paper and electronic forms
  4. To request vacation time for supervisors

Explanation

The memo announces a move to electronic reports and states deadlines and training requirements. It does not describe a fire, compare costs, or request vacation time.

Question 18Reading Comprehension

Directions: From the station, drive north on Elm for two blocks. Turn right on Cedar and continue past the school. The hydrant is on the left, just before the intersection with Pine. Where is the hydrant?

  1. Past Pine on Elm, near the school
  2. On the left on Cedar, before Pine Correct answer.
  3. On the right on Cedar, before Pine
  4. Next to the station on Elm

Explanation

The directions say to turn right onto Cedar and continue past the school. The hydrant is then on the left, just before Pine.

Question 19Reading Comprehension

The after-action review praised the crew's rescue but criticized the lack of a personnel accountability report. 'Speed alone does not make a safe operation,' it concluded, 'and we must account for every member before anyone re-enters.' What is the reviewer's attitude toward the crew's performance?

  1. Mixed: praise for the rescue, fault for the safety gap Correct answer.
  2. Hostile and dismissive toward the crew's whole effort
  3. Indifferent to the rescue and to the safety report
  4. Entirely approving of the crew's speed and rescue

Explanation

The review praises the rescue while criticizing the missing accountability report. That combination shows a mixed attitude rather than pure approval, indifference, or hostility.

Question 20Reading Comprehension

Some argue that faster response times always mean better outcomes. However, a review of 200 structure fires found that crews who arrived in under four minutes but lacked a water supply on the first engine had outcomes similar to crews arriving a minute later with a full supply. The review suggests that preparation at arrival matters as much as speed. What conclusion does the passage support?

  1. Speed alone does not guarantee better outcomes Correct answer.
  2. Response time is irrelevant to fire outcomes
  3. All crews in the review arrived within four minutes
  4. Water supply matters less than arrival speed

Explanation

The passage contrasts fast arrivals without water against slightly slower arrivals with water and finds similar outcomes. It concludes that preparation matters as much as speed, so speed alone is not enough.

Question 21Reading Comprehension

Department radio policy states: 'When transmitting an emergency traffic message, say 'Emergency traffic' and then pause. The pause allows other units to stop transmitting so the emergency message can be heard. Routine messages must wait until the channel is clear.' According to the policy, what should a firefighter do immediately after saying 'Emergency traffic'?

  1. Switch to a different radio channel
  2. Pause before sending the message Correct answer.
  3. Repeat the phrase two more times
  4. Give the address and unit number first

Explanation

The policy explicitly says to pause after the phrase so that other units can clear the channel. The purpose of that pause is to make sure the emergency message can be heard without interference.

Question 22Reading Comprehension

A city paints its fire hydrant bonnets according to flow capacity: blue for 1,500 gallons per minute or more, green for 1,000 to 1,499, orange for 500 to 999, and red for less than 500. A crew should verify the rating before deciding how many supply lines to lay. A hydrant has a green bonnet. What flow capacity does that color indicate?

  1. Below 500 gallons per minute
  2. 1,500 gallons per minute or higher
  3. 500–999 gallons per minute
  4. 1,000–1,499 gallons per minute Correct answer.

Explanation

The color code in the passage assigns green to the 1,000-to-1,499 gpm range. Blue marks the highest range, orange the middle range, and red the lowest.

Question 23Reading Comprehension

A safety data sheet for an industrial solvent states: 'If inhaled, move the person to fresh air. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Do not induce vomiting if swallowed.' A worker has inhaled the solvent and is having difficulty breathing. What should the crew do?

  1. Wait for the symptoms to become worse
  2. Have the worker drink several cups of water
  3. Give oxygen after moving to fresh air Correct answer.
  4. Induce vomiting before anything else

Explanation

The SDS instructs that a person who has inhaled the solvent should be moved to fresh air and given oxygen if breathing is difficult. Inducing vomiting is explicitly discouraged for swallowing, and it is not the response for inhalation.

Question 24Reading Comprehension

Pump operators use this rule: nozzle pressure plus friction loss equals pump discharge pressure. Friction loss is estimated at 10 psi per 100 feet of 2.5-inch hose flowing 250 gpm. A crew lays 300 feet of that hose and uses a nozzle pressure of 50 psi. What pump discharge pressure should the operator set?

  1. 110 psi
  2. 60 psi
  3. 80 psi Correct answer.
  4. 50 psi

Explanation

Three hundred feet of hose equals three 100-foot sections, so friction loss is 3 × 10 = 30 psi. Adding the 50 psi nozzle pressure gives 80 psi pump discharge pressure.

Question 25Reading Comprehension

A fire investigation report gives this timeline: 02:10 ignition in a utility closet; 02:18 smoke reaches the second-floor hallway; 02:24 a stairwell door is left open; 02:31 fire vents through the roof. The report concludes that the open stairwell door allowed smoke to spread vertically. Which timeline entry most directly supports that conclusion?

  1. 02:31 fire vents through the roof
  2. 02:18 smoke reaches the second-floor hallway
  3. 02:10 ignition in a utility closet
  4. 02:24 a stairwell door is left open Correct answer.

Explanation

The conclusion links vertical smoke spread to the stairwell door being open. The 02:24 entry records that specific condition, while the other entries describe ignition or later fire behavior.

Question 26Reading Comprehension

A mutual aid agreement states: 'The requesting department retains command of the incident. The assisting department provides personnel and equipment. Assisting units report to the requesting department's staging officer and must not freelance.' A fire department requests aid from a neighboring department. Who retains command of the incident?

  1. The requesting department Correct answer.
  2. The assisting department's chief
  3. The county dispatcher
  4. The staging officer

Explanation

The agreement assigns command to the department that requested aid, not to the assisting department. The assisting units take direction through the requesting department's staging officer.

Question 27Reading Comprehension

A building pre-plan notes: 'The building has one stairwell at the north end. The south exit opens into a fenced courtyard with no street access. The roof has two skylights but no hatch.' During a fire, why should crews treat the south exit as a limited evacuation route?

  1. It opens to a fenced courtyard Correct answer.
  2. It is the only stairwell in the building
  3. It has skylights that cannot open
  4. It is located at the north end

Explanation

The pre-plan says the south exit opens into a fenced courtyard with no street access, which limits how people can leave and how crews can enter. The north stairwell and roof skylights are separate features.

Question 28Reading Comprehension

A red flag warning means warm temperatures, very low humidity, and strong winds have combined to create extreme fire danger. During such a warning, open burning is prohibited and equipment that can produce sparks is restricted. A crew needs to use a chainsaw that can produce sparks. What should the crew do under the warning?

  1. Proceed because the saw is needed
  2. Use the saw if a spotter is present
  3. Use the chainsaw only after sunset
  4. Do not use the spark-producing saw Correct answer.

Explanation

The warning restricts equipment that can produce sparks, so the crew should not use that chainsaw while the warning is in effect. Waiting until sunset or adding a spotter does not remove the restriction.

Question 29Reading Comprehension

Two accounts describe the same fire. A bystander writes that the fire started in the kitchen. An investigator later writes that the fire started near an electrical panel in the hallway, citing burn patterns, photographs, and measurements. Which account should be given more weight, and why?

  1. The investigator's, citing physical evidence Correct answer.
  2. The investigator's, because it is longer
  3. The bystander's, because it was recorded first
  4. The bystander's, because it is simpler

Explanation

The investigator's account is supported by burn patterns, photographs, and measurements, which are physical evidence. The bystander's account may be sincere but is not backed by documented analysis, so it carries less weight.

Question 30Reading Comprehension

A leave policy states: 'A firefighter may take up to two personal leave days without advance approval when a family emergency occurs. Any additional personal leave requires a written request submitted at least 72 hours in advance. Sick leave is separate from personal leave.' A firefighter needs three personal leave days because of a family emergency. What does the policy require?

  1. All three days are allowed without approval in an emergency
  2. All three days need a 72-hour written request
  3. Two days unapproved; the third needs a 72-hour request Correct answer.
  4. The firefighter must use sick leave for all three days

Explanation

The policy allows up to two personal leave days without advance approval for a family emergency. Any additional personal leave, including the third day, requires a written request submitted at least 72 hours in advance.

Question 31Reading Comprehension

A department bulletin reminds crews that a fire hydrant's "static pressure" is the pressure measured before any water flows. Once a pumper opens the hydrant and water moves through the hose, the gauge shows "residual pressure," which is always lower. In the bulletin, "residual pressure" refers to -

  1. pressure recorded before the hydrant is opened
  2. pressure remaining while water flows Correct answer.
  3. pressure created by the pumper's own pump
  4. pressure needed to lift water to the top floor

Explanation

The bulletin defines residual pressure as what the gauge shows once water moves through the hose, after the static reading. That makes it the pressure remaining during flow. Static pressure is the before-flow reading, not residual pressure, and the passage does not attribute residual pressure to the pumper or to elevation.

Question 32Reading Comprehension

Before every shift, firefighters at Station 4 inspect their self-contained breathing apparatus. They check the cylinder pressure, inspect the mask for cracks, and confirm that the harness buckles lock. Any unit that fails inspection is tagged out of service and replaced before the crew boards the apparatus. What is the main idea of this passage?

  1. Mask cracks are the most common cause of equipment failure.
  2. Crews must verify breathing equipment before riding out. Correct answer.
  3. The station keeps only one spare breathing unit.
  4. Station 4 buys new breathing apparatus every shift.

Explanation

The paragraph describes a pre-shift inspection routine and the consequence of failing it, so the central point is that crews verify breathing equipment before responding. It does not claim new purchases, rank the causes of failure, or state how many spare units are kept.

Question 33Reading Comprehension

The department's stairwell policy requires crews to keep the door to the stairwell closed after entering. A closed door limits the movement of smoke and heat into the stairwell, which firefighters may need as a clean route for evacuation or advancement. According to the policy, why should the stairwell door stay closed?

  1. To reduce noise coming from the fire floor
  2. To stop unauthorized people from using stairs
  3. To keep the stairwell lit during a power loss
  4. To block smoke and heat from the stairwell Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage gives the reason directly: a closed door limits the movement of smoke and heat into the stairwell. It does not mention keeping people out, providing lighting, or reducing noise. The stairwell is valued as a clean route, which depends on limiting smoke and heat.

Question 34Reading Comprehension

A community risk report notes that most home fires in the district start in the kitchen, yet the district spends nearly all of its public-education budget on school fire-drill visits. The report recommends redirecting part of that budget to adult cooking-safety classes. What can be inferred from the report?

  1. Kitchen fires are rare in the district.
  2. School fire-drill visits have no value for children.
  3. Spending may not target the district's largest fire risk. Correct answer.
  4. Adult cooking classes would replace all school visits.

Explanation

The report contrasts kitchen fires as the leading home-fire cause with spending on school drills, then recommends redirecting funds. This implies a possible mismatch between current spending and the biggest risk. It does not say school visits are worthless or that adult classes would replace them entirely.

Question 35Reading Comprehension

During overhaul, a crew opened a concealed wall space without first checking for hidden fire. Air entering the cavity fed smoldering debris, and the fire flared up behind the crew. The incident review concluded that a thermal imaging scan should have preceded opening the wall. What caused the flare-up?

  1. The crew discharged a hose stream into the wall
  2. The building's sprinkler system activated
  3. The thermal imaging camera failed during the scan
  4. Air fed smoldering debris in the cavity Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage explicitly links the flare-up to air entering the concealed space and feeding smoldering debris. The review recommends a thermal scan before opening the wall, but it does not say the camera failed. Water and sprinklers are not identified as causes of the flare-up.

Question 36Reading Comprehension

When a firefighter finds a downed power line, the procedure is: stop at a safe distance, warn others to stay back, notify dispatch by radio, and wait for the utility company to de-energize the line. Crews must not attempt to move the line with tools. Which action comes immediately after warning others to stay back?

  1. Notifying dispatch by radio Correct answer.
  2. Moving the line with a wooden tool
  3. Waiting for the utility company
  4. Approaching the line to test it

Explanation

The procedure lists the steps in order: stop, warn others, notify dispatch, then wait for the utility company. Notifying dispatch follows the warning step. Approaching or moving the line contradicts the instruction not to attempt contact.

Question 37Reading Comprehension

Carbon dioxide extinguishers work by displacing oxygen and leaving no residue, which makes them suitable for energized electrical equipment. Dry chemical extinguishers interrupt the chemical chain reaction and leave a powdery residue that can damage sensitive electronics. Which statement best compares the two extinguishers?

  1. CO2 leaves no residue; dry chemical leaves damaging powder. Correct answer.
  2. CO2 leaves residue that harms electronics, while dry chemical leaves none.
  3. Both extinguish energized electrical fires by cooling with water.
  4. Dry chemical displaces oxygen, while CO2 interrupts the chain reaction.

Explanation

The passage contrasts CO2, which leaves no residue, with dry chemical, which leaves a powder that can damage electronics. It assigns chain-reaction interruption to dry chemical and oxygen displacement to CO2. The other choices reverse these properties or incorrectly describe both as water-cooling agents.

Question 38Reading Comprehension

The safety bulletin states: "We have responded to three kitchen fires this month, each started by unattended cooking. We are not asking crews to fight faster; we are asking them to teach residents to stay in the kitchen while cooking and to keep a lid nearby. Prevention begins before the call." What is the author's main purpose?

  1. To announce a new response-time target
  2. To urge firefighters to promote cooking safety Correct answer.
  3. To describe how to extinguish a kitchen grease fire
  4. To criticize crews for slow firefighting

Explanation

The bulletin uses recent kitchen fires to advocate resident prevention steps, such as staying in the kitchen and keeping a lid nearby. It explicitly says the goal is not faster firefighting. It does not set a response-time target or give a full extinguishing lesson.

Question 39Reading Comprehension

A department's fitness policy allows firefighters to use on-duty gym time only when staffing is at or above minimum. If staffing falls below minimum, the company officer may authorize a shorter workout during a scheduled break, but the firefighter must remain in quarters and ready to respond. Overtime gym sessions are allowed only with prior approval from the shift commander. A firefighter wants to work out on duty when staffing is below minimum. Which action is consistent with policy?

  1. Scheduling overtime gym time without telling the shift commander
  2. Leaving quarters to use a nearby public gym
  3. Getting officer approval for a shorter workout in quarters Correct answer.
  4. Working out for the entire scheduled period regardless of current staffing

Explanation

When staffing is below minimum, the policy permits a shorter workout only with company-officer authorization and requires the firefighter to stay in quarters. Leaving the station, using overtime without approval, or taking the full period ignores those conditions. The policy is designed to keep the firefighter ready to respond.

Question 40Reading Comprehension

A review of 120 residential smoke-alarm activations found that 80 homes had working alarms, while 40 had alarms that failed to sound. Of the 40 failures, 28 had missing batteries and 12 had dead batteries. The review concluded that battery maintenance, rather than alarm age, was the main reason the alarms did not sound. Which finding best supports the review's conclusion?

  1. Most homes with working alarms were newer construction.
  2. The review examined 120 activations in total.
  3. A majority of failed alarms had missing or dead batteries. Correct answer.
  4. Alarms fail only when they are more than ten years old.

Explanation

The conclusion points to battery maintenance, and the data show that all 40 failures involved missing or dead batteries. That directly supports the battery explanation. Total sample size alone does not establish the reason for failure, and the passage does not make claims about construction age or a ten-year cutoff.

Question 41Mathematical Reasoning

A 200-foot section of 2½-inch hose is flowing 250 gpm. Using the friction-loss formula FL = C × Q² × L, where C = 2 for 2½-inch hose, Q is flow in hundreds of gpm, and L is length in hundreds of feet, what is the friction loss?

  1. 50 psi
  2. 6.25 psi
  3. 25 psi Correct answer.
  4. 12.5 psi

Explanation

Using C = 2 for 2½-inch hose, Q = 250 ÷ 100 = 2.5 and L = 200 ÷ 100 = 2. Substituting gives FL = 2 × 6.25 × 2 = 25 psi. Flow must be expressed in hundreds of gallons per minute and length in hundreds of feet before multiplying.

Question 42Mathematical Reasoning

A booster tank carries 500 gallons of water. Using the standard weight of water, what is the weight of that water?

  1. 4,000 lb
  2. 3,750 lb
  3. 5,000 lb
  4. 4,170 lb Correct answer.

Explanation

Water weighs about 8.34 pounds per gallon, so the load is 500 × 8.34 = 4,170 pounds. This figure matters for vehicle weight ratings and for estimating how much weight a full tank adds to an apparatus.

Question 43Mathematical Reasoning

A foam proportioner is set to mix concentrate at 3 percent. How much foam concentrate is required to produce 1,000 gallons of finished foam solution?

  1. 300 gallons
  2. 33 gallons
  3. 10 gallons
  4. 30 gallons Correct answer.

Explanation

A 3 percent proportion means 3 gallons of concentrate for every 100 gallons of finished solution. Multiplying 0.03 by 1,000 gallons gives 30 gallons of concentrate, with the remaining 970 gallons being water.

Question 44Mathematical Reasoning

A pumper supplies 150 feet of 1¾-inch attack line with a friction loss of 30 psi per 100 feet. The nozzle pressure is 100 psi and the appliance loss is 10 psi. What pump discharge pressure is required?

  1. 140 psi
  2. 155 psi Correct answer.
  3. 190 psi
  4. 100 psi

Explanation

Pump discharge pressure equals total friction loss plus nozzle pressure plus appliance loss. Friction loss for 150 feet is 1.5 × 30 = 45 psi, so the required pressure is 45 + 100 + 10 = 155 psi.

Question 45Mathematical Reasoning

A tanker can dump its 1,000-gallon load in 2.5 minutes, then needs 6 minutes to travel, refill, and return. What continuous flow rate does this shuttle supply?

  1. About 400 gpm
  2. About 250 gpm
  3. About 167 gpm
  4. About 118 gpm Correct answer.

Explanation

One complete cycle takes 2.5 minutes to dump plus 6 minutes of travel, or 8.5 minutes per 1,000 gallons. Dividing 1,000 gallons by 8.5 minutes yields about 118 gpm of sustained flow at the fireground.

Question 46Mathematical Reasoning

A 24-foot extension ladder is placed with its base 7 feet from the wall. To the nearest foot, how high on the wall does the ladder reach?

  1. 24 ft
  2. 21 ft
  3. 23 ft Correct answer.
  4. 25 ft

Explanation

The ladder, wall, and ground form a right triangle with the ladder as the hypotenuse. The height is the square root of 24 squared minus 7 squared, which is the square root of 527, or about 23 feet.

Question 47Mathematical Reasoning

A department responded to 1,400 calls last year, and 15 percent of them were structure fires. How many structure fire calls were there?

  1. 245
  2. 210 Correct answer.
  3. 175
  4. 200

Explanation

Convert the percentage to a decimal and multiply by the total: 0.15 × 1,400 = 210 structure fire calls. The remaining 1,190 calls fall into other categories.

Question 48Mathematical Reasoning

A master stream flows 750 gpm. Using 7.48 gallons per cubic foot, how many cubic feet of water does the stream deliver in one hour?

  1. 1,003 cubic feet
  2. 4,500 cubic feet
  3. 5,610 cubic feet
  4. 6,016 cubic feet Correct answer.

Explanation

First find the hourly volume: 750 gpm × 60 minutes = 45,000 gallons. Dividing by 7.48 gallons per cubic foot gives about 6,016 cubic feet of water delivered in the hour.

Question 49Mathematical Reasoning

A pumper supplies a line with total friction loss of 60 psi and a nozzle pressure of 100 psi. The nozzle is 30 feet above the pump, and elevation adds 0.434 psi per foot of rise. What pump discharge pressure is needed?

  1. 160 psi
  2. 187 psi
  3. 173 psi Correct answer.
  4. 147 psi

Explanation

Elevation adds 30 × 0.434, or about 13 psi, when the nozzle sits above the pump. Pump pressure is friction loss plus nozzle pressure plus elevation gain: 60 + 100 + 13 = 173 psi.

Question 50Mathematical Reasoning

A crew's response times in minutes were 4, 6, 7, 7, 9, 12, and 15. What is the mean response time to the nearest tenth of a minute?

  1. 9.0 min
  2. 8.6 min Correct answer.
  3. 12.0 min
  4. 7.0 min

Explanation

The mean is the sum of the times divided by the number of responses. The sum is 4 + 6 + 7 + 7 + 9 + 12 + 15 = 60, and 60 ÷ 7 ≈ 8.6 minutes.