Red Card Personal Protective Equipment 2 â Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum Nomex fabric weight required for wildland firefighter shirts and pants?
- 4.5 oz/yd² (Correct answer)
- 6.5 oz/yd²
- 7.0 oz/yd²
- 5.0 oz/yd²
Correct answer: 4.5 oz/yd²
NFPA 1977 requires wildland PPE fabrics to be at least 4.5 oz/yd² of flame-resistant material such as Nomex.
Question 2: When should a wildland firefighter replace their hard hat?
- Every 5 years regardless of condition
- After any significant impact or when shell is cracked/faded (Correct answer)
- Only when the suspension system fails
- After every fire season
Correct answer: After any significant impact or when shell is cracked/faded
Hard hats must be replaced after significant impact events or when physical damage such as cracking or severe UV fading is present.
Question 3: Which glove material is NOT acceptable for wildland firefighting hand protection?
- Leather with gauntlet cuff
- Nomex-lined leather
- 100% cotton work gloves (Correct answer)
- Elk hide leather
Correct answer: 100% cotton work gloves
Cotton gloves are not flame-resistant and will ignite and melt to skin; leather gloves meeting NFPA 1977 are required.
Question 4: What is the purpose of the chin strap on a wildland firefighter hard hat?
- To meet OSHA compliance only
- To prevent the hard hat from being blown or knocked off in dynamic conditions (Correct answer)
- To indicate the wearer's crew assignment
- To support attachment of a face shield
Correct answer: To prevent the hard hat from being blown or knocked off in dynamic conditions
Chin straps secure the hard hat during wind, aerial operations, or physical activity to ensure continuous head protection.
Question 5: A firefighter's Nomex shirt has a small hole burned through the sleeve. What is the correct action?
- Patch it with any flame-resistant fabric and continue use
- Remove from service immediately and replace (Correct answer)
- Wear an undershirt to cover the damaged area
- Continue using until end of the assignment, then replace
Correct answer: Remove from service immediately and replace
Any burn-through hole compromises the garment's flame-resistance rating and it must be immediately taken out of service.
Question 6: What type of boot construction is preferred for wildland firefighting over cement-bonded construction?
- Injection-molded soles
- Welt construction (Vibram sole) (Correct answer)
- Glued construction
- Slip-on construction
Correct answer: Welt construction (Vibram sole)
Welt construction boots can be resoled and maintain integrity under heat, while cement/glued soles can separate in high-temperature conditions.
Question 7: How high must wildland firefighting boots extend up the leg for adequate ankle and lower-leg protection?
- 6 inches
- 8 inches
- 10 inches (Correct answer)
- 12 inches
Correct answer: 10 inches
NFPA 1977 specifies that wildland firefighting boots must extend at least 8 inches (some references specify 10 inches) above the heel to protect the lower leg; 10-inch height is the standard Red Card requirement.
Red Card Personal Protective Equipment 2
What is the minimum Nomex fabric weight required for wildland firefighter shirts and pants?