NFST Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. Which class of fire involves energized electrical equipment? → Class C
2. During a structure fire, your incident commander gives an evacuation order. You believe there is still a victim inside. What should you do? → Evacuate immediately and report your concern to the IC at the exit
3. A fire that is described as 'ventilation-controlled' means what about its burn characteristics? → It is limited by insufficient oxygen supply
4. Which gas produced by incomplete combustion is colorless, odorless, and highly toxic to firefighters? → Carbon monoxide (CO)
5. What is the minimum oxygen concentration required to sustain flaming combustion? → 16%
6. The three components of the fire triangle are fuel, heat, and which third element? → Oxygen
7. Which of the following sentences contains a spelling error? → The new engine has a seperate pump panel for foam operations.
8. Which of the following sentences contains a spelling error? → The lieutenant will accomodate the request for a shift change.
9. When the firefighters arrived, they made the decision to _______ unmediated firefighters maneuvers. → begin
10. What is the primary function of a thermal imaging camera (TIC) during firefighting operations? → To detect heat signatures through smoke for victim location and fire mapping
11. A crew member tells you they feel lightheaded and short of breath during rehab. What should you do? → Immediately notify your supervisor and ensure they receive medical evaluation
12. What type of heat transfer occurs when heat moves through direct contact between objects? → Conduction
13. Rapid fire progress up the exterior of a building is most commonly associated with which feature? → Combustible exterior cladding or façade materials
14. Your captain orders your crew to enter a structure, but you believe conditions have deteriorated beyond safe entry limits. What is the best course of action? → Clearly communicate your specific safety concern to the captain before entering
15. On a topographic map, what do contour lines that are very close together indicate? → A steep slope
16. Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement? → The captain, as well as the firefighters, is responsible for checking the equipment.
17. A fellow firefighter on your crew makes a mistake during training that could be dangerous if repeated on scene. What is the most appropriate response? → Correct the error privately and respectfully after the exercise
18. During a structure fire, you notice the floor beginning to feel soft and spongy underfoot. What is the best action? → Immediately back out along your entry path and alert your team and IC
19. At Route 9 and Oak Avenue (08:15): blue sedan (1 occupant) and red pickup (2 occupants, 1 unconscious). What is the medical condition of the sedan driver? → Conscious and alert
20. If the small gear with 15 teeth makes 4 complete rotations, how many rotations will the large gear with 60 teeth make? → 1 rotation
21. You observe a community member having a medical emergency on the sidewalk outside your station. You are off duty and in civilian clothes. What should you do? → Call 911 and provide first aid within your training until EMS arrives
22. Which of the following is a complete and grammatically correct sentence, free of fragments or run-on errors? → Ventilation of the structure was ordered by the incident commander.
23. While driving the apparatus to an emergency, the traffic signal turns red and cross traffic is present. What should you do? → Slow down or stop to ensure all lanes of traffic have cleared before proceeding
24. Read the following sentence: 'Each of the firefighters ______ required to complete their daily equipment checks.' Which word correctly completes the sentence? → is
25. Firefighters show up at the scene of a fire or emergency and _____________ on advanced tools and equipment to handle the situation. → relay
26. What is meant by the term 'life safety' as a fireground priority? → Protecting civilians and firefighters from injury or death
27. You arrive first at a multi-vehicle accident with multiple patients. What is your immediate priority? → Conduct a scene size-up, establish command, and call for additional resources
28. What is the primary purpose of ventilation during a structure fire? → To remove heat, smoke, and gases to improve visibility and reduce fire spread
29. Choose the statement that best explains the link between the length of the hose and the number of firefighters required to carry it using the table below. → One more worker is required for every 40 feet of hose length that is added.
30. What phenomenon occurs when burning liquid fuel floats on water and spreads, potentially worsening a flammable liquid fire? → Boilover