NFST Map and Route Analysis Questions and Answers

Question 1

You are dispatched from a fire station at the corner of 3rd Ave and Birch St. The incident is at the corner of 5th Ave and Ash St. All avenues run North-South with numbers increasing to the East, and all streets run East-West. A dispatcher advises that a train is currently stopped, blocking the railroad tracks that run parallel to, and just south of, Ash St. Which of the following is the most viable route for the first-arriving engine?

Accepted Answer

East on Birch St, then North on 5th Ave.

Answer

The route 'East on Birch St, then North on 5th Ave' approaches the incident from the south, avoiding the blocked railroad tracks which are located on the north side of the incident address. The other routes either lead directly to the blockage or are inefficient.

Question 2

A response map uses an alphanumeric grid system (A-H horizontally, 1-8 vertically). An industrial complex is located in grid square D5. A pre-plan note indicates the critical fire department connection (FDC) is on the west side of the building. In which grid square would you most likely find the FDC?

Accepted Answer

C5

Answer

The lettered columns run horizontally (West to East), and the numbered rows run vertically. The west side of a location in square D5 would be in the adjacent square to the west, which is C5. E5 is to the east, D6 is to the south, and D4 is to the north.

Question 3

An engine company is given the following directions from the station: 'Proceed south for 4 blocks, turn right and proceed for 6 blocks, then turn right again and proceed for 2 blocks.' What is the engine's final direction of travel?

Accepted Answer

North

Answer

Traveling South, a right turn orients the vehicle to the West. From a westward direction, another right turn orients the vehicle to the North. Therefore, the final direction of travel is North.

Question 4

You are using a map with a scale of 1:24,000, where 1 inch on the map equals 2,000 feet in reality. If the length of a planned hose lay from the hydrant to the fire scene measures 3 inches on the map, what is the actual distance in feet?

Accepted Answer

6,000 feet

Answer

To find the actual distance, you multiply the map measurement by the scale factor. In this case, 3 inches multiplied by 2,000 feet per inch equals a total distance of 6,000 feet.

Question 5

When analyzing a potential route on a city map, which of the following features typically requires the most significant tactical consideration regarding apparatus access and positioning?

Accepted Answer

A narrow bridge with a posted weight limit.

Answer

A narrow bridge with a posted weight limit is a critical consideration. A fire apparatus may exceed the weight limit, making the route impassable. Even if the weight is acceptable, the narrowness can restrict positioning and prevent other apparatus from passing, creating a bottleneck.

NFST Test Practice Test

NFST Test Practice Test

NFST Map and Route Analysis Questions and Answers