NFSI NFSI Reading Comprehension and Situational Judgment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage explains that in a mayday situation, a firefighter activates their PASS device, announces mayday three times on the radio, and states their location and air supply. If a firefighter activates their PASS but cannot reach their radio, they should:
- Remain calm, conserve air, and await rescue after the PASS alarm alerts others (Correct answer)
- Shut off the PASS to conserve battery and try to self-rescue silently
- Immediately remove their mask to call for help verbally
- Keep moving to find an exit at all costs
Correct answer: Remain calm, conserve air, and await rescue after the PASS alarm alerts others
If radio contact is impossible, activating the PASS device and conserving air while awaiting RIT rescue is the correct protocol.
Question 2: According to a departmental directive, new firefighters must be directly supervised by a senior firefighter during all interior operations for their first 12 months. A new firefighter's supervising partner becomes separated in smoke. The new firefighter should:
- Continue searching independently since they have enough training
- Announce their location on the radio and begin exiting the structure (Correct answer)
- Stop all movement and wait until conditions improve
- Crawl toward the last known position of their partner
Correct answer: Announce their location on the radio and begin exiting the structure
Without required supervision and in a disorienting environment, a new firefighter should announce their position and begin an organized exit.
Question 3: A passage states that ventilation must be coordinated with the hoseline attack to prevent fire spread. A ventilation crew opens the roof before a hoseline is in position. The incident commander should:
- Allow ventilation to continue since it will improve visibility
- Order the ventilation stopped and coordinate timing with the hoseline crew (Correct answer)
- Withdraw all interior crews immediately
- Increase water pressure to compensate for the early ventilation
Correct answer: Order the ventilation stopped and coordinate timing with the hoseline crew
Uncoordinated ventilation before the hoseline is ready can spread fire; the IC must halt ventilation and synchronize the operation.
Question 4: A training document states: 'When reading a passage under timed conditions, identify the main idea first, then supporting details.' A firefighter reads a hazmat placard description. The first thing they should identify is:
- The specific chemical name
- The UN number
- The primary hazard class of the material (Correct answer)
- The emergency contact number
Correct answer: The primary hazard class of the material
The primary hazard class (flammable, corrosive, toxic, etc.) represents the 'main idea' of a placard and guides the initial response approach.
Question 5: A department bulletin explains that peer support resources are available 24/7 for firefighters experiencing critical incident stress. After a traumatic call, a firefighter notices a colleague seems withdrawn and stops eating at the firehouse. The most appropriate response is to:
- Ignore it — personal issues are private matters
- Report the colleague to the captain for a performance review
- Casually check in with the colleague and mention peer support is available (Correct answer)
- Immediately mandate the colleague attend counseling
Correct answer: Casually check in with the colleague and mention peer support is available
A low-pressure check-in that mentions available peer support is the appropriate first step, respecting the colleague's dignity while opening the door to help.
Question 6: A passage states: 'Accountability systems track all personnel at an emergency scene by name, assignment, and last known location.' A firefighter is temporarily reassigned mid-incident but does not update the accountability officer. This creates a risk because:
- The firefighter may not receive updated assignments
- Rescuers may search the wrong location if the firefighter needs help (Correct answer)
- The original crew may be penalized for understaffing
- Radio channels may become congested with check-in calls
Correct answer: Rescuers may search the wrong location if the firefighter needs help
If a firefighter's recorded location is outdated, rescue teams responding to a mayday will search the wrong area, delaying rescue.
NFSI NFSI Reading Comprehension and Situational Judgment 2
A passage explains that in a mayday situation, a firefighter activates their PASS device, announces mayday three times on the radio, and states their location and air supply.
If a firefighter activates their PASS but cannot reach their radio, they should: