FCTC FCTC Reading Comprehension and Recall Questions and Answers 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A bulletin reads: 'Rehab should be established at incidents when crews have completed two work cycles or when temperature and humidity create high heat stress risk. Personnel must be evaluated before returning to work.' What is one condition that triggers mandatory rehab?
- When any crew member requests a water break
- After completing two work cycles or under high heat stress conditions (Correct answer)
- Only after a firefighter shows signs of heat stroke
- After every single task completed on scene
Correct answer: After completing two work cycles or under high heat stress conditions
The bulletin states rehab is triggered by two work cycles or high heat stress risk from temperature and humidity.
Question 2: A reference passage states: 'Suppression of wildland fires uses the acronym LCES: Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones. These elements must be identified before crews engage the fire.' What does the 'E' in LCES stand for?
- Equipment
- Evacuation
- Escape Routes (Correct answer)
- Elevation
Correct answer: Escape Routes
The passage explicitly defines LCES, where E stands for Escape Routes.
Question 3: A procedure manual states: 'The incident command system (ICS) uses a span of control of 3–7 subordinates per supervisor, with 5 being optimal. This prevents supervisors from being overwhelmed and ensures accountability.' What is described as the optimal span of control?
- 3 subordinates per supervisor
- 5 subordinates per supervisor (Correct answer)
- 7 subordinates per supervisor
- 10 subordinates per supervisor
Correct answer: 5 subordinates per supervisor
The manual identifies 5 subordinates per supervisor as the optimal span of control within ICS.
Question 4: A training document reads: 'Ground ladders must be inspected before each use. Damaged, corroded, or deformed ladders must be removed from service. A ladder that passes visual inspection should still be checked for heat damage by running a gloved hand along the beam.' When does a ladder require removal from service?
- Only when it shows visible corrosion
- Whenever it is more than five years old
- When it is damaged, corroded, or deformed (Correct answer)
- Only after it fails a load test
Correct answer: When it is damaged, corroded, or deformed
The document specifies that damaged, corroded, or deformed ladders must be removed from service.
Question 5: A passage states: 'During a mayday, the distressed firefighter should activate their PASS device, call mayday on the radio using the format: 'MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY' followed by unit, name, air supply, location, and resources needed.' What is the first word(s) a firefighter should transmit during a mayday call?
- HELP, HELP, HELP
- MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY (Correct answer)
- EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY
- RESCUE, RESCUE, RESCUE
Correct answer: MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY
The passage specifies the mayday call begins with 'MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY' repeated three times.
Question 6: A manual section reads: 'Thermal imaging cameras (TIC) detect heat signatures and assist with victim search, fire location, and overhaul. They do not see through walls and can be fooled by reflective surfaces.' What is a limitation of TICs noted in the passage?
- They only work in complete darkness
- They cannot detect victims in cold environments
- They do not see through walls and can be misled by reflective surfaces (Correct answer)
- They require a two-person operation at all times
Correct answer: They do not see through walls and can be misled by reflective surfaces
The passage states TICs cannot see through walls and can be fooled by reflective surfaces.
Question 7: A department guideline states: 'Post-incident critiques should focus on operational performance, not personal criticism. The goal is to identify what worked, what did not, and how to improve future responses.' What is the stated purpose of post-incident critiques?
- To assign blame for errors made during the incident
- To document equipment losses for insurance purposes
- To identify what worked, what did not, and how to improve (Correct answer)
- To satisfy legal requirements for incident documentation
Correct answer: To identify what worked, what did not, and how to improve
The guideline states the goal is to identify strengths, weaknesses, and improvements—not to criticize individuals.
A bulletin reads: 'Rehab should be established at incidents when crews have completed two work cycles or when temperature and humidity create high heat stress risk.
Personnel must be evaluated before returning to work.' What is one condition that triggers mandatory rehab?