Firefighter Reasoning & Judgement 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Your engine company is low on water at a working fire and the nearest hydrant is two blocks away. The most logical decision is to:
- Keep flowing until the tank is empty
- Establish a continuous water supply now by laying a line to the hydrant or calling for a tanker (Correct answer)
- Shut down all operations
- Reduce the fire stream to a trickle indefinitely
Correct answer: Establish a continuous water supply now by laying a line to the hydrant or calling for a tanker
Secure an uninterrupted supply before the tank runs dry to maintain firefighting capability.
Question 2: A crew member shows signs of heat exhaustion during a long operation. The best judgement is to:
- Tell them to push through
- Remove them from the hot zone, begin rehab and cooling, and assess them (Correct answer)
- Give them more gear to sweat it out
- Send them back in after a quick drink
Correct answer: Remove them from the hot zone, begin rehab and cooling, and assess them
Heat exhaustion requires rest, cooling, hydration and monitoring to prevent heat stroke.
Question 3: You notice smoke pushing rapidly from the eaves and windows turning dark before flashover. The most prudent action is to:
- Make an aggressive interior push immediately
- Recognize flashover warning signs and avoid committing crews to that space without cooling it (Correct answer)
- Open every door to ventilate freely
- Wait outside and do nothing
Correct answer: Recognize flashover warning signs and avoid committing crews to that space without cooling it
Rapidly darkening windows and pressurized smoke warn of impending flashover, a deadly interior risk.
Question 4: Dispatch information conflicts with what you observe on arrival. You should:
- Trust dispatch over your own eyes
- Base your size-up and actions on the conditions you actually observe and update command (Correct answer)
- Refuse to act until dispatch corrects the report
- Assume the worst regardless of what you see
Correct answer: Base your size-up and actions on the conditions you actually observe and update command
Firsthand on-scene observations should drive decisions and be reported to update everyone.
Question 5: A new probationary firefighter is about to enter an IDLH atmosphere without checking their SCBA air. The right action is to:
- Let them learn from the mistake
- Stop them and verify their air supply and PPE before entry (Correct answer)
- Enter ahead of them
- Report them later but say nothing now
Correct answer: Stop them and verify their air supply and PPE before entry
Verifying air and PPE before entry prevents a life-threatening failure inside the hazard zone.
Question 6: You must choose between a faster but unverified route and a slightly longer route you know is clear, while responding to a structure fire. The best judgement is to:
- Always take the shortest distance regardless
- Take the route you can confirm is passable to ensure timely, reliable arrival (Correct answer)
- Stop to debate the options at length
- Let each crew member pick their own way
Correct answer: Take the route you can confirm is passable to ensure timely, reliable arrival
A reliably clear route prevents delays from unexpected blockages, ensuring a dependable response.
Question 7: During size-up you cannot account for a resident reported to be home. The reasonable judgement is to:
- Assume they left and skip the search
- Treat the building as potentially occupied and plan a coordinated search (Correct answer)
- Wait until the fire is fully out to look
- Ask neighbors and take no further action
Correct answer: Treat the building as potentially occupied and plan a coordinated search
Until confirmed otherwise, assume occupancy and plan a search for any unaccounted person.
Firefighter Reasoning & Judgement 3
Your engine company is low on water at a working fire and the nearest hydrant is two blocks away.
The most logical decision is to: