NWCG FFT1/FFT2 study plan

Define LCES in your own words and write the four components plus a one-sentence trigger for each that would make you stop and re-evaluate

List all 18 Watch Out Situations from memory, then check your list and mark the five you personally find easiest to miss

Build a one-page entrapment-avoidance decision card covering escape routes, safety zones, and the point where you refuse an assignment

Walk a local area and identify two terrain features that would and would not serve as a safety zone, writing the reason for each

Describe the fire shelter deployment sequence step by step, including what to do with tools, pack, and face protection, and where the shelter sits relative to the body

Explain the fire triangle and the fire behavior triangle, and name which leg you can actually influence on a fireline

Compare the extreme fire behavior indicators (crown fire, spotting, plume-dominated column, wind shift) and state what each means for your position

Match the 13 fuel models to their typical fuel type and expected flame length range, and note which two you are most likely to encounter locally

Read a basic fire weather forecast and identify red flag criteria, RH thresholds, and wind shift signals

Explain why an anchor point is required before constructing line and describe three acceptable anchor points

Distinguish handline, dozer line, and wet line by when each is appropriate, and state the production rate assumption you would use for planning

Sequence a mop-up operation: what the standard is, how far in you go, and what indicators tell you the line will hold

Describe how to detect and respond to a spot fire, including who you notify and in what order

Identify holding resources, their placement, and the conditions under which you would call for them

Name the common hand tools, their intended use, and the safety rule for each (Pulaski, McLeod, shovel, rhino, combi)

Describe power saw safety requirements: PPE, kickback awareness, bind, and the cutting sequence for a limb-lock situation

Explain pump setup basics: water source, hose lay, friction loss, and nozzle selection for the task

State the elements of a complete radio report: identification, location, what you have, what you need

Write and deliver a size-up or situation report using the standard order and keep it under 30 seconds

Draw the ICS chain of command from a firefighter up through division, branch, and incident commander, and state what each level owns

Calculate span of control for a given crew count and identify when a division is overloaded

Explain the difference between unity of command and chain of command using a fireline example

Build a personal work/rest schedule for a 14-day assignment that respects the 2:1 work-to-rest guideline

List hydration and heat-illness warning signs and the action you take for each

Explain the difference between structure defense and wildland suppression, and state when a structure is defensible versus not

Identify the triage categories for structures and the information you report to the structure protection group

Describe safe approach to helicopters and dozers: approach angles, rotor clearance, and eye contact with the pilot or operator

Recall the standard hand signals used with heavy equipment and aviation, and state what to do when a signal is unclear

Explain spotter duties for aviation: what you watch, what you report, and when you call abort

Walk through the task book process: who signs, what qualifies as a completed task, and how to document a position performance evaluation

Write three example task book entries that would pass review, each tied to a specific observed behavior

Re-audit your LCES card and Watch Out Situations list for gaps you found during weeks 1 through 6

Identify the documentation you must complete after an assignment: shift tickets, safety reports, and equipment records

Run a full timed self-test across all ten domains and score it by domain

Re-teach the three domains you scored lowest on by writing a one-page summary of each from memory

Rehearse two scenario prompts out loud, narrating LCES, tactics, and command decisions as you would on a fireline

Confirm your task book is current and identify any remaining sign-offs you still need