Fire Services Written Aptitude Test (Station Officer) - Hong Kong flashcards

37 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Subject-verb agreement

A verb must agree in number with its subject, not with an intervening phrase. Example: 'The box of tools is heavy' (singular 'box' takes 'is').

Dangling modifier

An introductory phrase that does not logically modify the subject of the main clause. Correct by naming the doer: 'Walking to the station, I saw the fire engine.'

Affect vs. effect

'Affect' is usually a verb meaning to influence; 'effect' is usually a noun meaning a result. 'The smoke affected visibility; the effect was severe.'

Parallel structure

Items in a list or comparison must share the same grammatical form. Write 'to plan, to train, and to act', not 'to plan, training, and action'.

Comma splice

Two independent clauses joined only by a comma. Fix with a semicolon, a period, or a coordinating conjunction: 'The alarm rang; the crew responded.'

常見錯別字

容易寫錯的字詞，例如『部署』不是『佈署』、『措施』不是『措拖』、『撲滅』不是『撲減』。書寫公文時須特別留意。

量詞搭配

中文量詞須與名詞配合：一『場』火災、一『輛』消防車、一『名』消防員、一『支』水槍、一『條』水帶。用錯量詞會顯得不通順。

口語轉書面語

將粵語口語轉為規範書面語，例如『唔該』轉為『謝謝』或『請問』，『搵』轉為『尋找』，『俾』轉為『給』或『被』。

成語：防患未然

指在事故或災害發生之前就採取預防措施。消防工作強調預防為主，正合此意。

公函格式

中文公函上款頂格書寫，正文每段首行縮排兩個字位，下款另起一行靠右，日期置於下款之後。

Percentage change formula

Percentage change = (new value − old value) ÷ old value × 100%. A 20% increase is reversed by dividing by 1.2, not by subtracting 20%.

Average speed round trip

For equal distances at speeds x and y, average speed = 2xy ÷ (x + y). It is the harmonic mean, not the arithmetic mean (x + y) ÷ 2.

Combined work rate

If A finishes in t₁ hours and B in t₂ hours, together they take 1 ÷ (1/t₁ + 1/t₂) hours. Rates add; times do not.

Compound interest

Amount = P(1 + r/n)^(nt), where P is principal, r the annual rate, n compounding periods per year, t years. Interest = amount − P.

Probability of at least one

P(at least one) = 1 − P(none). For independent events, P(none) is the product of the complement probabilities.

Speed unit conversion

1 m/s = 3.6 km/h. To convert km/h to m/s, divide by 3.6; to convert m/s to km/h, multiply by 3.6.

Modus ponens

Valid argument form: If P then Q; P; therefore Q. Affirming the consequent (Q, therefore P) is invalid.

Modus tollens

Valid argument form: If P then Q; not Q; therefore not P. Denying the antecedent (not P, therefore not Q) is invalid.

Contrapositive

The contrapositive of P→Q is ¬Q→¬P, which is logically equivalent. The converse (Q→P) and inverse (¬P→¬Q) are not equivalent.

Necessary vs. sufficient

'A is necessary for B' means B→A. 'A is sufficient for B' means A→B. Reversing the two is a common reasoning error.

Assumption negation test

To find an argument's assumption, negate each candidate answer. If the negation makes the argument collapse, that statement is the required assumption.

Syllogism validity rules

A valid conclusion cannot introduce a term absent from the premises; two negative premises yield no conclusion; two particular premises yield no conclusion.

Lever principle

Effort × effort arm = load × load arm. A class-1 lever has the fulcrum between effort and load; class-2 has load between; class-3 has effort between.

Pulley mechanical advantage

Mechanical advantage equals the number of rope segments supporting the load. A single fixed pulley changes direction only, with MA = 1.

Pressure formula

Pressure = force ÷ area (P = F/A). For the same force, a smaller nozzle area produces higher pressure and faster discharge.

Bernoulli effect

In a moving fluid, where speed increases, static pressure decreases. This explains draft in a venturi and lift in nozzles.

Fire tetrahedron

Four elements sustain combustion: fuel, oxygen, heat, and the uninhibited chemical chain reaction. Removing any one extinguishes fire.

Ohm's law

Voltage V = current I × resistance R. Power P = VI = I²R. A short circuit has near-zero resistance and draws dangerously high current.

Gear ratio

Gear ratio = teeth of driven gear ÷ teeth of driver. A larger driven gear turns more slowly but delivers greater torque.

Risk management principle

Risk a lot to save savable lives, risk little to save property, and risk nothing when there is nothing to save. Safety is never traded for property.

Mayday transmission

A firefighter trapped, lost, out of air, or injured transmits 'Mayday' with name, location, and nature of emergency, then switches to the designated channel.

Two-out rule

No interior attack without at least two firefighters outside as a standby rescue crew, ready with PPE and equipment. Part of fireground accountability.

Scene size-up

Initial assessment of occupancy, construction, fire location and extent, access, water supply, and hazards before committing crews to interior operations.

FSD motto

The Fire Services Department motto is 'Serving the community with dedication and professionalism' (Chinese: 救災扶危，為民解困).

FSD operational regions

Hong Kong's fire services are organised into four operational regions: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Territories North, and New Territories South, plus marine and airport commands.

Fire Services Ordinance

Cap. 95 is the principal legislation governing fire services in Hong Kong. Cap. 572, the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance, addresses fire safety in composite and domestic buildings.

Emergency number

In Hong Kong, dial 999 for police, fire, and ambulance. The 1823 hotline handles non-emergency government enquiries.