DFES WA Career Firefighter Aptitude key terms

An uncontrolled fire burning in vegetation such as bushland, grass or forest. It can spread quickly, threaten homes and lives, and is influenced by fuel, weather and terrain.

A declaration that prohibits lighting fires in the open and restricts activities that could start a fire, imposed on days of extreme fire danger to reduce the chance of bushfires starting.

A scale that communicates how dangerous a fire would be if one started on a given day, ranging from low to catastrophic, helping communities decide when to leave or prepare.

The showering of burning fragments carried by wind ahead of and around a fire. Embers can ignite roofs, gutters and vegetation and are a major cause of home loss in bushfires.

The area around a building where vegetation is managed and fuel reduced so that firefighters can safely defend the property and radiant heat is lowered.

A device that detects smoke and sounds a loud warning, giving occupants early notice to escape a house fire. Working alarms on every level of a home save lives.

A practised route and meeting point that household members use to leave a home quickly and safely during a fire or other emergency, including a backup exit.

A fire-resistant sheet used to smother small cooking or clothing fires by cutting off oxygen. It is commonly kept in kitchens and should only be used on small fires.

A large, rotating storm system with strong winds and heavy rain that forms over warm ocean water. In Australia it can cause destructive winds, flooding and storm surge at the coast.

A numbered rating from one to five that describes a cyclone's expected maximum wind strength and likely damage, with higher categories indicating more destructive winds.

A rise in sea level caused by a storm pushing water ashore, which can flood low-lying coastal areas. Combined with tides it creates a dangerous storm tide.

The total water level at the coast when a storm surge combines with a normal high tide, which can inundate coastal land and cut off escape routes.

A thunderstorm producing damaging winds, large hail or intense rainfall. These storms can arrive with little warning and cause rapid localised flooding and structural damage.

Sudden flooding that occurs within hours of heavy rain, often in creeks, drains and low roads. It rises fast and is a leading cause of storm-related deaths.

The overflow of water onto normally dry land, caused by heavy rain, rivers breaking banks or the sea. Floods can be slow or fast and may last for days.

An official message that predicts where and when flooding is expected, based on rainfall and river levels, giving communities time to move property and evacuate.

Low-lying land next to a river or coast that is naturally covered by water during floods. Building or camping on floodplains increases exposure to flood risk.

A series of fast-moving ocean waves usually triggered by an undersea earthquake, landslide or volcanic eruption. Waves can be metres high and arrive without warning at the coast.

An official alert issued when a tsunami is expected to affect a coastline, advising people to move inland or to higher ground immediately and stay away from beaches.

A physical sign that a tsunami may be coming, such as strong ground shaking, a sudden draining of the sea, or a loud roar from the ocean, requiring immediate evacuation.

A sudden shaking of the ground caused by movement of the earth's crust along faults. It can damage buildings, cause landslides and trigger tsunamis.

A smaller earthquake that follows a larger one, caused by the crust adjusting. Aftershocks can last for days and may bring down already weakened buildings.

The recommended action during an earthquake: drop to the ground, take cover under sturdy furniture, and hold on until shaking stops, to avoid injury from falling objects.

Any substance that can harm people, property or the environment if released, such as chemicals, fuels or gases. Incidents may require specialist response and evacuation.

An emergency involving the release or potential release of hazardous materials. Responders isolate the area, identify the substance and contain the hazard to protect people.

Staying indoors and sealing doors, windows and vents to avoid exposure to smoke, chemicals or other outdoor hazards until authorities say it is safe to leave.

An official warning sent to phones or broadcast by authorities to tell people about a hazard and what action to take, such as evacuate or shelter in place.

A graded label such as advice, watch, warning or emergency warning that tells people how urgent a hazard is and how they should respond.

The organised movement of people away from an area threatened by a hazard to a safer location, ideally before conditions become too dangerous to travel.

A safe public venue where people who have left their homes during an emergency can go for shelter, information and basic support.

Groups more likely to be harmed in an emergency, such as older people, those with disability or illness, young children and people without transport or social support.

Having little contact with other people or services, which can leave someone without help to prepare for or respond to an emergency and is a key risk factor.

A trained community member who responds to fires and emergencies without payment, often as part of a local bush fire brigade, supporting career crews and their community.

A paid, professional firefighter employed by a fire service, who responds to fires and rescues, works shifts and may be deployed to major incidents.

The person in charge of managing an emergency incident, responsible for setting strategy, coordinating crews and ensuring safety of responders and the public.