Emergency Services Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Emergency Services facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. When performing CPR on an adult, what is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio? → 30:2
2. What is the preferred airway management device for a conscious EMS patient who cannot maintain their own airway? → Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)
3. The 'hot zone' in a HazMat incident refers to: → The area immediately surrounding the point of release with the greatest contamination risk
4. Which vital sign abnormality is most indicative of hypovolemic shock? → Tachycardia and hypotension
5. What is 'demobilization' in the context of ICS? → The orderly, safe, and cost-effective release of resources when they are no longer needed
6. What is the role of a 'search manager' in a SAR operation? → To coordinate all search planning, resource management, and strategy under ICS
7. What is the primary goal of the 'Golden Hour' concept in emergency trauma care? → Stabilize and transport the patient to definitive care within 60 minutes of injury
8. What does 'CAD' stand for in emergency communications centers? → Computer-Aided Dispatch
9. In water rescue, what does 'reach, throw, row, go' describe? → A priority sequence for water rescue, favoring non-entry methods before entering the water
10. Which firefighting foam is approved for fighting Class B hydrocarbon fires? → AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam)
11. What is a 'field sobriety test' (FST) used for? → Providing probable cause to believe a driver is impaired
12. Which of the following best describes the 'warm zone' in a HazMat incident? → The buffer zone between the hot zone and cold zone where decontamination takes place
13. What is 'POD' (Probability of Detection) in SAR planning? → The likelihood that a search segment would reveal the subject if they are there
14. What is the treatment priority for a pregnant trauma patient in the third trimester? → Position the patient on her left side and treat as any trauma patient
15. Which federal agency oversees the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)? → FBI
16. What is 'Automatic Location Identification' (ALI) in 911 systems? → A feature that automatically displays the caller's location to the dispatcher
17. What is the primary hazard of entering a 'hot zone' at a hazmat incident without proper PPE? → Direct exposure to hazardous materials that can cause death or injury
18. Which FEMA program provides training and exercises to help communities build resilience before disasters? → Whole Community approach with Ready.gov and CERT
19. What is a 'Type III' SAR team in the US National SAR system? → A local or county-level team trained for basic land SAR operations
20. What color placard indicates a flammable liquid on a transport vehicle according to DOT regulations? → Red
21. What is the minimum safe distance from a wildland fire recommended for initial attack crews without escape routes? → There is no minimum — rely on safety zones
22. Which condition requires immediate AED use? → Ventricular fibrillation
23. What is 'PLS' (Point Last Seen) in search and rescue? → The last confirmed location where the subject was seen by a reliable witness
24. What is the purpose of the START triage system? → To rapidly categorize multiple casualties in a mass casualty incident
25. The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) is primarily used by first responders to: → Determine initial protective actions during hazardous materials incidents
26. Which color section of the NFPA 704 diamond indicates health hazard, and what does a rating of '4' in that section mean? → Blue — very short exposure could cause death or major residual injury
27. What does the term 'IDLH' stand for in the context of HazMat response? → Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health
28. What is the correct sequence of the EMS assessment chain? → Scene size-up, primary survey, history, secondary survey, reassessment
29. What is a 'consent decree' as it applies to US police departments? → A court-ordered agreement requiring a police department to implement reforms
30. During mass decontamination operations, which category of patient should typically be decontaminated first? → Non-ambulatory critical patients who cannot move without assistance