FEMA Risk Management & Safety Protocols — Questions and Answers

Question 1: In the hierarchy of hazard controls, which control is considered the MOST effective?

Personal protective equipment
Administrative controls
Elimination of the hazard (Correct answer)
Engineering controls

Correct answer: Elimination of the hazard

Elimination physically removes the hazard and is ranked highest in the hierarchy of controls, while PPE is the least effective.

Question 2: Under the ICS, who has the authority to immediately stop or prevent unsafe acts during incident operations?

Operations Section Chief only
Safety Officer (Correct answer)
Liaison Officer
Planning Section Chief

Correct answer: Safety Officer

The Safety Officer has emergency authority to stop or prevent unsafe acts and must then inform the Incident Commander.

Question 3: Which ICS form documents the hazard analysis and mitigations for each work assignment and helps the Safety Officer build the safety message?

ICS 201
ICS 215A (Correct answer)
ICS 213
ICS 209

Correct answer: ICS 215A

The ICS 215A Incident Action Plan Safety Analysis identifies hazards and mitigations for tactical assignments.

Question 4: How often must a jurisdiction's THIRA be completed under current FEMA guidance?

Every year
Every two years
Every three years (Correct answer)
Every five years

Correct answer: Every three years

Since 2018 FEMA requires the THIRA every three years, while the Stakeholder Preparedness Review is done annually.

Question 5: A county buys flood insurance for its public buildings instead of elevating them. Which risk management strategy is this?

Risk avoidance
Risk transfer (Correct answer)
Risk acceptance
Risk reduction

Correct answer: Risk transfer

Insurance shifts the financial consequences of a loss to another party, which is risk transfer.

Question 6: Which OSHA standard governs Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) for responders?

29 CFR 1910.134
29 CFR 1926.501
29 CFR 1910.120 (Correct answer)
29 CFR 1910.1030

Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.120

29 CFR 1910.120 sets HAZWOPER training and safety requirements, including emergency response to hazmat releases.

Question 7: During a hazmat response, in which zone is decontamination of personnel and equipment performed?

Hot zone (exclusion zone)
Warm zone (contamination reduction zone) (Correct answer)
Cold zone (support zone)
Staging area

Correct answer: Warm zone (contamination reduction zone)

The warm zone is the contamination reduction corridor between the hot and cold zones where decon happens.

Question 8: A responder must enter an unknown atmosphere with high vapor hazard to skin and eyes. Which EPA level of protection is required?

Level A (Correct answer)
Level B
Level C
Level D

Correct answer: Level A

Level A provides a fully encapsulating vapor-tight suit with SCBA for the highest respiratory and skin protection.

Question 9: What is the minimum benefit-cost ratio generally required for a mitigation project to be considered cost-effective under FEMA HMA programs?

0.5
0.75
1.0 (Correct answer)
2.0

Correct answer: 1.0

A BCR of 1.0 or greater shows that project benefits equal or exceed costs.

Question 10: Under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, how often must local hazard mitigation plans be updated and re-approved to stay eligible for HMA funding?

Every 2 years
Every 3 years
Every 5 years (Correct answer)
Every 10 years

Correct answer: Every 5 years

Local hazard mitigation plans must be reviewed, updated, and re-approved by FEMA every five years.

Question 11: Which wildland firefighting safety acronym stands for Lookouts, Communications, Escape routes, and Safety zones?

PACE
LCES (Correct answer)
SALUTE
RACE

Correct answer: LCES

LCES is the core wildland safety system that must be established before engaging a fire.

Question 12: In the FEMA risk formula, risk is commonly expressed as a function of which three factors?

Threat, vulnerability, and consequence (Correct answer)
Frequency, budget, and staffing
Hazard, response time, and cost
Probability, population, and geography

Correct answer: Threat, vulnerability, and consequence

Risk is generally assessed as a combination of threat/hazard likelihood, vulnerability, and consequence.

Question 13: How far from doors, windows, and vents does CDC recommend placing a portable generator to reduce carbon monoxide risk?

At least 5 feet
At least 10 feet
At least 20 feet (Correct answer)
Distance doesn't matter if a window is open

Correct answer: At least 20 feet

CDC advises operating portable generators outdoors at least 20 feet from openings to prevent CO poisoning.

Question 14: What does a Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) confirm during an incident?

Equipment inventory status
That all assigned personnel are accounted for (Correct answer)
Financial cost of resources used
Weather conditions at the scene

Correct answer: That all assigned personnel are accounted for

A PAR is a roll call by supervisors confirming that every assigned member is accounted for.

Question 15: How much moving water can knock an adult off their feet, according to the National Weather Service?

6 inches (Correct answer)
18 inches
2 feet
3 feet

Correct answer: 6 inches

Just 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock down an adult, which is why 'Turn Around Don't Drown' is stressed.

Question 16: A state with an approved Enhanced State Mitigation Plan may receive HMGP funding of up to what percentage of estimated disaster assistance?

7.5%
15%
20% (Correct answer)
25%

Correct answer: 20%

Enhanced plans raise the HMGP ceiling from 15% to 20% of estimated aggregate disaster assistance, subject to sliding scales.

Question 17: Which statement BEST describes residual risk?

Risk that has been fully eliminated
Risk remaining after mitigation measures are applied (Correct answer)
Risk caused only by human error
Risk that applies only to infrastructure

Correct answer: Risk remaining after mitigation measures are applied

Residual risk is the risk left over once controls and mitigation have been put in place.

Question 18: Which FEMA tool provides a nationwide, county- and census-tract-level score combining expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience?

Hazus
National Risk Index (Correct answer)
CAP-SSSE
WebEOC

Correct answer: National Risk Index

The National Risk Index combines expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience into risk scores.

Question 19: Responders working in high heat should follow which practice to reduce heat-related illness?

Drink only when thirsty
Use acclimatization and scheduled work-rest cycles with regular hydration (Correct answer)
Work through breaks to finish sooner
Wear heavier clothing to block the sun

Correct answer: Use acclimatization and scheduled work-rest cycles with regular hydration

OSHA and NIOSH recommend acclimatization, rest cycles, shade, and frequent hydration to prevent heat illness.

Question 20: When debris crews come across a downed power line, what is the correct safety assumption?

It is safe if not sparking
It is energized and dangerous until the utility confirms otherwise (Correct answer)
It is safe after rain stops
It can be moved with a dry wooden stick

Correct answer: It is energized and dangerous until the utility confirms otherwise

Treat every downed line as energized and keep away until the utility de-energizes it.

Question 21: In a risk matrix, an event with low likelihood but catastrophic consequences should generally be:

Ignored because it is unlikely
Assessed and considered for mitigation or contingency planning (Correct answer)
Treated as identical to a frequent minor event
Handled only after it happens

Correct answer: Assessed and considered for mitigation or contingency planning

Low-probability, high-consequence events still need assessment and planning because their impacts can be severe.

FEMA Risk Management & Safety Protocols

In the hierarchy of hazard controls, which control is considered the MOST effective?

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