Red Card Training & Awareness Programs 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the NWCG qualification system, what is the minimum prerequisite course before a firefighter can enroll in S-131 (Firefighter Type 1)?
- S-190 only
- S-130 and S-190, plus field experience as an FFT2 (Correct answer)
- L-180 and a physical fitness test
- S-215 and ICS-100
Correct answer: S-130 and S-190, plus field experience as an FFT2
S-131 requires completion of S-130, S-190, and documented field experience as a Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2).
Question 2: The 'Watch Out Situations' taught in wildland fire training number how many, and what do they collectively represent?
- 10 situations representing universal fire orders
- 18 situations representing conditions that historically precede firefighter fatalities (Correct answer)
- 12 situations covering only weather-related hazards
- 8 situations covering terrain and fuel hazards only
Correct answer: 18 situations representing conditions that historically precede firefighter fatalities
The 18 Watch Out Situations describe specific conditions and circumstances that have historically led to firefighter deaths and serious injuries.
Question 3: What training component addresses the psychological and emotional impacts of traumatic incidents on wildland firefighters?
- Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) (Correct answer)
- Incident Command System (ICS)
- Complexity Analysis Training
- Situational Awareness Refresher
Correct answer: Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) provides debriefing and support for firefighters following traumatic or high-stress incidents.
Question 4: During ICS training for wildland fire, the concept of 'span of control' refers to which of the following?
- The geographic area a single crew can cover in one shift
- The number of subordinates one supervisor can effectively manage, typically 3–7 (Correct answer)
- The maximum wind speed at which a crew may remain on the fire line
- The chain of command from Division Supervisor up to Incident Commander
Correct answer: The number of subordinates one supervisor can effectively manage, typically 3–7
Span of control in ICS refers to the number of individuals one supervisor can effectively manage, with 3–7 being optimal and 5 being ideal.
Question 5: Which awareness program specifically addresses the dangers of working near aerial retardant or water drops during active air operations?
- Aerial Supervision Training (AST)
- Aviation Hazard Awareness (Correct answer)
- Air-to-Ground Coordination Protocol
- Smokejumper Orientation
Correct answer: Aviation Hazard Awareness
Aviation Hazard Awareness training covers the lethal risks of retardant drops, rotor wash, and aircraft proximity for ground crews.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a 'Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)' as taught in wildland fire training programs?
- To rank fire suppression jobs by pay scale
- To systematically identify and mitigate hazards for specific tasks before they are performed (Correct answer)
- To evaluate a firefighter's physical fitness for a given position
- To document equipment needs for a planned prescribed burn
Correct answer: To systematically identify and mitigate hazards for specific tasks before they are performed
A JHA identifies potential hazards associated with a specific job or task and establishes controls to mitigate those hazards before work begins.
Question 7: In wildland fire training, the 'downhill line construction checklist' is used to manage which specific hazard?
- Electrical line proximity during fire suppression
- Rolling material and fire runs in steep terrain when constructing line downhill toward the fire (Correct answer)
- Chainsaw use on downhill slopes
- Water handling on steep grades
Correct answer: Rolling material and fire runs in steep terrain when constructing line downhill toward the fire
The downhill line construction checklist manages the extreme risk of rolling burning material, fire acceleration, and escape route compromise when building fireline downhill toward an active fire.
Red Card Training & Awareness Programs 3
Under the NWCG qualification system, what is the minimum prerequisite course before a firefighter can enroll in S-131 (Firefighter Type 1)?