NFSI Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. A firefighter uses 4.5 liters of air every minute from a 45-liter air cylinder. Approximately how many minutes of air remain if the cylinder is 80% full? → 8 minutes
2. A station receives 5 supply deliveries per month, each containing 48 air cylinders. If each cylinder costs $85, what is the monthly supply cost for cylinders? → $20,400
3. During a mayday transmission, what does the acronym LUNAR stand for? → Location, Unit, Name, Assignment, Resources needed
4. You receive a direct order that seems unnecessary but is not unsafe or unethical. You should: → Comply and ask questions through appropriate channels afterward if needed
5. A crew member uses offensive language toward another member. You witness it. The targeted member does not report it. What should you do? → Address the language directly and encourage the targeted member to report if they wish
6. Which type of building construction is most susceptible to rapid structural failure during a fire due to lightweight engineered components? → Type V (wood frame) with lightweight truss construction
7. A fire hose delivers water at 125 gallons per minute. How many gallons are delivered in 36 minutes? → 4,500 gallons
8. A ladder truck carries 3 ground ladders: one 14 ft, one 24 ft, and one 35 ft. What is the combined length of all three ladders? → 73 ft
9. Which of the following BEST describes the role of shared goals in a fire crew's effectiveness? → Shared goals align individual efforts toward collective outcomes, improving coordination
10. A local business owner offers a firefighter a cash gift after the crew responds to a fire at his property. How should the firefighter respond? → Politely decline and explain that accepting gratuities is not permitted
11. Which word means 'to make worse or more severe'? → Exacerbate
12. A fire station's budget is $840,000. If equipment costs account for 37.5% of the budget, how much is spent on equipment? → $315,000
13. During a post-incident report, a firefighter realizes he made an error in judgment that contributed to property damage. What should he do? → Accurately document the error and be prepared to discuss it
14. What is the PRIMARY purpose of conducting regular post-incident critiques (debriefs) in the fire service? → To identify what went well and what can be improved to enhance future performance
15. Of 180 recruits who applied, 45% passed the written exam. How many recruits passed? → 81
16. Which physiological response is most commonly associated with acute occupational stress in firefighters? → Elevated cortisol, increased heart rate, and heightened alertness
17. Read the passage: 'Firefighters must don SCBA before entering IDLH atmospheres.' Which situation requires SCBA per this statement? → A smoke-filled building interior
18. Temperatures recorded at a fire scene over four hours were 1,200°F, 1,450°F, 1,380°F, and 1,170°F. What was the average temperature? → 1,300°F
19. In wildland firefighting, what does the acronym LCES stand for? → Lookouts, Communications, Escape routes, Safety zones
20. Which word is spelled correctly? → Resuscitation
21. A team's success on the fireground is most dependent on: → Mutual trust, clear communication, and a shared understanding of the objectives.
22. Why is it important for firefighters to maintain professional conduct even during off-duty hours? → Their conduct reflects on the department and affects public trust
23. When assigned to a crew with members you have not worked with before, the BEST initial approach to building team effectiveness is: → Introduce yourself, learn each member's strengths, and communicate openly
24. A fire crew that holds each member accountable for their responsibilities is MOST likely to experience: → Stronger trust, reliability, and overall team performance
25. Choose the word that best completes the sentence: 'The battalion chief issued a ______ prohibiting personnel from entering the collapse zone.' → Directive
26. A firefighter looks at a mirror image of a map. In the mirror, the exit marked on the east side of the building appears to be on which side? → West
27. During a promotional exam, a candidate notices the test administrator left answer materials unattended. The most ethical action is to: → Alert the administrator immediately about the security breach
28. You are dispatched to multiple simultaneous emergencies in one shift. What mental strategy best sustains performance? → Treat each call as independent and apply full focus to the one at hand
29. Which of the following situations requires a firefighter to disclose a potential conflict of interest to a supervisor? → The firefighter owns rental property in a building the department is inspecting
30. Which hose line size is most commonly used for interior structural firefighting attack lines? → 1¾-inch hose