Phoenix Firefighter flashcards
Phoenix Firefighter · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Main Idea
- The central point a passage conveys; supporting details explain or prove it. It is often stated in the first or last sentence.
- Inference
- A conclusion drawn from evidence in the text but not stated directly; it must be logically supported by details.
- Context Clue
- Nearby words or phrases that reveal an unfamiliar word's meaning, including definitions, examples, contrasts, and cause-effect relationships.
- Author's Purpose
- The reason a text was written: to inform, persuade, entertain, or instruct; verb choice and tone often reveal it.
- Fact vs Opinion
- A fact can be verified; an opinion expresses judgment or belief. Words like should, best, and beautiful signal opinion.
- Transition Word
- A word such as however, therefore, or also that signals contrast, cause-effect, or addition between ideas.
- Sequence Signal
- A word such as first, then, before, or finally that indicates the order of steps or events in a passage.
- Flow Rate Formula
- Q = A × V, where Q is flow, A is cross-sectional area, and V is velocity; units must be consistent.
- Area of a Circle
- A = πr², where r is the radius, half the diameter; use 3.14 for π in most fire-service calculations.
- One Cubic Foot in Gallons
- One cubic foot equals about 7.48 gallons; multiply cubic feet by 7.48 to convert to gallons.
- Pump Discharge Pressure
- PDP = nozzle pressure + friction loss + appliance loss + elevation loss or gain; elevation changes about 0.5 psi per foot.
- Friction Loss Formula
- FL = C × Q² × L, where C is a hose coefficient, Q is flow in hundreds of gpm, and L is length in hundreds of feet.
- Percent Change
- Percent change = (new value − old value) ÷ old value × 100; a positive result is an increase.
- First-Class Lever
- A lever with the fulcrum between the effort and the load, such as a seesaw or a pry bar.
- Lever Mechanical Advantage
- MA = effort arm length ÷ load arm length; a longer effort arm reduces the force required to lift a load.
- Movable Pulley Advantage
- A movable pulley reduces effort; its mechanical advantage equals the number of rope segments supporting the load.
- Meshed Gears
- Two meshed gears rotate in opposite directions; the larger gear turns slower and delivers more torque.
- Wheel and Axle
- Mechanical advantage equals wheel radius divided by axle radius; a larger wheel increases turning force at the axle.
- Pascal's Principle
- Pressure applied to a confined fluid is transmitted equally in all directions; force equals pressure times area.
- Inclined Plane Advantage
- Mechanical advantage equals ramp length divided by ramp height; a longer, gentler ramp reduces the force needed.
- Compass Bearings
- North is 0 or 360 degrees, east is 90, south is 180, and west is 270; bearings increase clockwise.
- Grid Coordinate Order
- Read the easting, or rightward coordinate, first; then read the northing, or upward coordinate. Remember: right and up.
- Map Scale
- Actual distance equals map distance multiplied by the scale factor; multiply first, then convert units such as inches to feet.
- Contour Line Spacing
- Contour lines close together indicate steep terrain; widely spaced contour lines indicate gentle slopes and easier travel.
- Mirror Image Rule
- A mirror reverses left and right but not up and down; the object's distance from the mirror equals the image's distance.
- 90-Degree Rotation
- Rotating a point 90 degrees clockwise maps (x, y) to (y, −x); counterclockwise maps it to (−y, x).
- Communication Loop
- A sender encodes a message, sends it through a channel, and a receiver decodes it; feedback confirms that understanding occurred.
- Active Listening
- A listening technique using paraphrase, clarifying questions, and reflection of feelings while avoiding interruption and judgment.
- Conflict Resolution
- A process that separates people from the problem, focuses on interests rather than positions, and seeks mutual gain.
- Unity of Command
- A principle stating each employee should report to only one supervisor for a given task, preventing conflicting orders.
- Span of Control
- The number of subordinates one supervisor can effectively manage; fire service guidance often suggests three to seven subordinates.
- Assertive Message
- A statement that describes the behavior, states its impact, and requests a specific change without passive or aggressive language.