Houston Firefighter study plan

Build a one-page reference sheet of the fire tetrahedron, the four stages of fire development, and the legacy versus modern fire behavior differences, then recite it from memory without notes

Define each hazardous materials awareness level responsibility (recognize, isolate, notify) and explain in writing why operations-level personnel do not perform product identification beyond initial isolation

Work through 20 practice items on fire behavior and hazmat awareness, log every missed item with the underlying concept it tested, and rewrite each miss as a correct statement

Map the ERG 2024 guidebook layout: white, yellow, blue, orange, green pages, and describe aloud what each section answers

Explain the components and operation of a fire stream: nozzle pressure, flow rate, reach, and the difference between solid, fog, and broken streams, and match each to a fire condition

Distinguish the five fire classes and select the extinguishing agent and method for each, including why water is contraindicated on energized electrical equipment and on certain metals

Practice reading ERG entries for four common materials and state the initial isolation distance, protective action, and first-aid guidance for each

Identify the placard classes and the meaning of the four-quadrant NFPA 704 symbol, and explain what each quadrant communicates

Describe the ventilation decision process: when to ventilate, vertical versus horizontal, and the warning signs that ventilation should be delayed

Sequence the tasks of fire attack from size-up through overhaul, and identify the indicators of flashover and backdraft and the correct action for each

Outline the hazmat operations-level response: scene isolation, establishment of control zones, emergency decontamination setup, and the limits of defensive operations

Explain the difference between defensive and offensive strategy and list the conditions that force a transition to defensive

Explain the components of the firefighter survival mindset: situational awareness, personal accountability, and the discipline to call a Mayday early rather than late

Recite the LUNAR and the alternative Mayday report formats and deliver each aloud in under 30 seconds

Describe the actions of a firefighter who becomes disoriented or entangled: radio the Mayday, activate the PASS device, stay low, follow a wall or hose line, and conserve air

Explain the purpose and use of the RIT and what a firefighter should expect when RIT is deployed

Identify the leading causes of firefighter line-of-duty deaths and injuries and the behaviors that reduce each risk

Explain the phases of a structural collapse rescue and the role of the secondary search and the personnel accountability report

Describe the hazards of vehicle extrication: airbags and SRS, high-voltage hybrid and electric systems, fuel systems, and the stabilization steps that precede any cutting

Sequence a vehicle extrication: scene safety and stabilization, glass management, door and roof displacement, patient access and removal

Identify the hand and power tools used for forcible entry and extrication and the specific task each performs

Explain the difference between a rapid intervention rescue and a technical rope rescue and when each applies

Describe the rescue of a downed firefighter: locating the victim, air-supply options, drag and carry techniques, and the limitations of each technique

Explain stairwell and ladder rescue considerations, including the weight and balance limits of ground and aerial ladders

Describe water rescue awareness: reach, throw, row, go, and why untrained personnel never enter moving water

Explain confinement and entrapment rescue hazards and the role of shoring and stabilization

Review the previous weeks' missed items and rewrite the five most frequently missed concepts as teaching notes

Describe the components of the CPAT and the pass/fail standard for each event, including the order of events and the time limit

Explain the physical demands of structural firefighting and the warm-up, hydration, and recovery practices that support them

Identify the suitability factors that disqualify or delay a candidate, including background, medical, and drug screening considerations

Build a four-week conditioning schedule that targets the muscle groups and movement patterns the job demands

Review fire suppression content and connect size-up decisions to the physical tasks they create

Take two full-length timed practice exams under test conditions and record a score for each domain

Identify the two weakest domains from the practice exam data and complete targeted review for each

Recite the Mayday formats, the fire classes, the ERG page layout, and the CPAT event order from memory in one sitting

Review every logged missed item across all eight weeks and confirm that each can now be answered correctly

Finalize test-day logistics: arrival time, required documents, identification, and rest and nutrition plan