NFPA Firefighter II key terms

A roll call conducted by supervisors at planned intervals or after a critical event to confirm that each assigned firefighter is accounted for and to report status to command.

A distress call used when a firefighter is lost, trapped, injured, or running out of air, signaling an emergency that requires immediate rescue and priority radio traffic.

Two or more firefighters assigned solely to rescue trapped or lost personnel; they stand by with rescue tools and do not perform other fireground tasks until needed.

An OSHA rule requiring at least two firefighters inside a hazardous area to be backed by at least two outside who can rescue them before interior attack begins.

A standard management framework using common terminology, clear reporting lines, and defined roles to organize emergency response across agencies and jurisdictions.

The principle that each responder reports to only one supervisor, which prevents conflicting orders and confusion during an incident.

The number of subordinates one supervisor can effectively manage; the incident command system typically keeps this between three and seven, with five considered optimal.

The formal process of passing incident authority from one commander to another, ideally face to face, including a briefing on conditions, actions taken, and needs.

A radio protocol that clears the channel for life-threatening information; all other units stop transmitting until the emergency message is complete.

Plain language spoken on the radio with no agency-specific codes, so all responding units and cooperating agencies understand the message.

The center that receives 911 calls, gathers incident information, and alerts and directs the appropriate fire, EMS, and law enforcement units.

A procedure for summoning off-duty or additional personnel to staff reserve apparatus or fill staffing gaps during a major or prolonged incident.

An agreement among agencies to share personnel, apparatus, and equipment across jurisdictions during incidents that exceed local resources, usually requested through dispatch and coordinated by the incident commander.

The amount of water, in gallons per minute, needed to control a fire in a given space; it guides attack method, hose selection, and water supply decisions.

The pressure lost as water moves through hose, pipes, and fittings due to turbulence; firefighters add it to nozzle pressure when calculating required pump pressure.

A pressure surge caused by suddenly stopping water flow in a pipe or hose; it can damage apparatus, hose, and plumbing and is avoided by operating valves slowly.

A large-volume nozzle, typically flowing 350 gallons per minute or more, supplied by multiple lines, a ladder pipe, or a deck gun for heavy fire attack.

An exterior firefighting strategy used when the building is unsafe or fire is too advanced; water is applied from outside to protect exposures and contain the fire.

An interior firefighting strategy that places crews inside the structure to locate and extinguish the fire, used when the building is stable and occupants may still be saved.

The near-simultaneous ignition of all combustible contents in a compartment caused by heat buildup, typically at temperatures around 1,100 to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit.

A violent explosion that occurs when oxygen enters a hot, oxygen-depleted, fuel-rich compartment and ignites fire gases; indicated by smoke puffing and inward air movement.

The tendency of hot fire gases to collect at the ceiling while cooler air stays near the floor, creating a survivable zone and guiding ventilation and attack.

Use of a fan to force outside air into a structure at a controlled opening, pushing hot smoke and gases out through a designated exhaust opening.

Releasing hot smoke and gases through an opening cut in the roof or top of a structure, which improves visibility and reduces flashover potential for interior crews.

A rapid, systematic search of the fire area and likely victim locations, done early in the incident often before fire control, to find and remove occupants.

A thorough, systematic search conducted after the fire is controlled to confirm that no victims remain, covering areas missed or inaccessible during the primary search.

The post-fire phase of opening concealed spaces, removing debris, and cooling hot spots to prevent rekindling and to preserve evidence of fire cause.

Protecting undamaged property from water, smoke, and fire damage by moving contents, covering items, and diverting water; performed alongside firefighting and overhaul.

The process of removing victims from a crashed or collapsed vehicle using stabilization, glass management, and cutting or spreading tools while protecting the patient.

Securing a vehicle, structure, or object so it cannot move or collapse during rescue operations, using cribbing, chocks, struts, or winches.

Wooden or synthetic blocks stacked to support a stabilized object, transferring weight to the ground and providing a safe working platform during rescue.

A document and survey of a building describing layout, access, hazards, water supply, and occupancy details to guide fireground decisions before an emergency occurs.

A systematic check of a property for compliance with fire codes, including exits, extinguishers, alarms, storage, and housekeeping, with violations documented for correction.

Grouping buildings by use and hazard level, such as assembly, educational, or hazardous, to apply consistent code requirements for construction, egress, and fire protection.

The process of examining burn patterns, witness information, and physical evidence to identify where and how a fire started, so that responsibility and prevention measures can be addressed.

A designated area where responders rest, rehydrate, cool down or warm up, and have vital signs checked during extended incidents to prevent heat stress and fatigue.

Treating all blood and body fluids as infectious; using gloves, eye protection, and hand hygiene to prevent disease transmission on emergency scenes.

A structured, peer-based support process offered after traumatic events to reduce stress reactions and identify responders who need professional follow-up.

A personal alert safety system worn by firefighters that sounds a loud alarm if the wearer is motionless, helping rescuers locate a downed firefighter.

Self-contained breathing apparatus that supplies compressed air through a facepiece, protecting firefighters from smoke, toxic gases, and oxygen-deficient atmospheres.