Firefighter Math Reasoning Flashcards

A water tank holds 5,000 gallons. If 3 pumps each drain 85 gallons per minute, how many minutes until the tank is empty?

Answer: 19 minutes

Total drain rate = 3 × 85 = 255 gpm; 5,000 ÷ 255 ≈ 19.6, so approximately 19 minutes to drain.

A firefighter's air tank lasts 30 minutes at normal activity. At heavy exertion, it lasts 40% less time. How long does it last at heavy exertion?

Answer: 18 minutes

40% of 30 = 12; 30 − 12 = 18 minutes.

A hose with a 2.5-inch diameter flows water at 250 gallons per minute. If a second identical hose is added, what is the total flow rate?

Answer: 500 gpm

Two identical hoses: 250 × 2 = 500 gpm.

The distance from the fire station to a fire scene is 4.5 miles. A fire truck travels at 45 mph. How many minutes does it take to arrive?

Answer: 6 minutes

Time = 4.5 ÷ 45 = 0.1 hours = 0.1 × 60 = 6 minutes.

A rescue team needs to move 540 pounds of equipment using carts that hold 90 pounds each. How many cart loads are required?

Answer: 6

540 ÷ 90 = 6 cart loads.

A fire department received 1,440 emergency calls last year. What was the average number of calls per day?

Answer: 4

1,440 ÷ 365 ≈ 3.95, which rounds to approximately 4 calls per day.

A sprinkler system covers an area of 2,400 square feet. If each sprinkler head covers 120 square feet, how many heads are in the system?

Answer: 20

2,400 ÷ 120 = 20 sprinkler heads.