DFES WA Career Firefighter Aptitude study guide
DFES WA Career Firefighter Aptitude · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The DFES WA Career Firefighter Aptitude Test is the cognitive and behavioural screening step used in recruitment for career firefighter roles with Western Australia's Department of Fire and Emergency Services. It is intended for candidates who have already decided to pursue a paid firefighting career and need to demonstrate the reasoning speed, mechanical understanding, situational judgement and hazard awareness that the job demands. The DFES WA Career Firefighter Aptitude study guide has 10 sections and about 2,783 words.
01Bushfire
Bushfire behaviour is driven by the fire triangle (fuel, oxygen, heat) plus weather, topography and fuel load. Candidates must know the Fire Danger Ratings (Moderate, High, Extreme, Catastrophic) and that Catastrophic means the safest option is to leave early - homes are not designed to survive every fire.
297 words, about 1 min02Fires in the home
Home fires are the most common fire a firefighter will attend. Know the stages of fire (incipient, growth, fully developed, decay) and the fire tetrahedron (adds chemical chain reaction to the triangle).
293 words, about 1 min03Cyclone
Cyclones are intense low-pressure systems forming over warm ocean water (above about 26.5°C). In Australia they affect northern coastal regions, typically November to April.
298 words, about 1 min04Storm
Severe thunderstorms bring damaging winds, large hail, flash flooding and lightning. Know the ingredients : moisture, instability and a lifting mechanism.
279 words, about 1 min05Flood
Flood types include riverine flooding (slow-onset, from prolonged rain), flash flooding (rapid, from intense local rain), coastal flooding (storm surge, tide) and dam failure . Know the flood warning terminology : a Flood Watch means flooding is possible; a Flood Warning means flooding is expected or occurring, with predicted heights.
276 words, about 1 min06Tsunami
A tsunami is a series of waves generated by undersea earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions or meteorites. In Australia, the main threat is from distant sources around the Pacific and Indian Oceans, giving hours of warning, but local sources could give minutes.
301 words, about 2 min07Earthquake
Earthquakes occur when stress built up along faults is suddenly released as seismic waves. Know the difference between magnitude (energy released, one value per quake) and intensity (shaking and damage at a location, varies).
266 words, about 1 min08Hazmat
Hazardous materials incidents involve substances that are toxic, flammable, corrosive, explosive, radioactive or infectious. Know the Hazmat emergency action principles : isolate, deny entry, and notify - establish an exclusion zone, keep people out, and call for specialist resources.
249 words, about 1 min09Warning Systems and People at Higher Risk
Australia uses the Australian Warning System with three levels: Advice (an incident has started; stay informed), Watch and Act (conditions are changing; prepare to act), and Emergency Warning (you are in danger; act immediately). These apply across bushfire, flood, storm and other hazards, and are issued via emergency apps, websites, radio and SMS.
262 words, about 1 min10Volunteering and Employment
DFES (Department of Fire and Emergency Services) in Western Australia works with career firefighters, volunteer bushfire brigades, State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers and other emergency services . Understand the distinction between career (paid) and volunteer roles, and that volunteers receive training, equipment and support but are not paid a wage (some reimbursements apply).
262 words, about 1 min