Fire Fighter II: Command, Accountability, Fire Flow, and Suppression Systems
Command and accountability
Fire Fighter II questions assume you can work inside a system, not just pull a line. Expect incident command content: a single command, span of control of three to seven (five is ideal), transfer of command through a face-to-face briefing, and a personnel accountability system that tracks every company on the fireground.
Two-in/two-out and RIT
Two members enter, two remain outside, and the outside pair must be able to don and perform rescue. A rapid intervention team is a separate requirement: at least two dedicated members, staged with tools, assigned nothing else. Traps: the outside pair may be given other duties only if they can drop them instantly; RIT members do not fight fire.
Fire flow and streams
The NFA formula estimates needed flow: NFF = (length × width) / 3, multiplied by the number of floors involved. Worked example: a 40-ft by 60-ft one-story building. 40 × 60 = 2,400; 2,400 / 3 = 800 gpm.
Suppression systems and foam
Wet pipe is the most common sprinkler system; dry pipe serves unheated spaces; deluge opens all heads at once; preaction requires detection plus a fused head. Close a sprinkler only after fire control and with IC approval, and replace the head with the same temperature rating. For Class B fires, AFFF is typically proportioned at 3% or 6%; polar solvents such as alcohol require alcohol-resistant foam. Apply gently - a fog stream can break the blanket.
After the fire
Cause determination begins during overhaul: preserve burn patterns, protect the area of origin, and avoid overhaul damage that destroys evidence.