S-130 Wildland Tools & Equipment 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What type of nozzle pattern is most effective for direct attack on the flaming front of a wildland fire?
- Straight stream directed at the base of flames (Correct answer)
- Wide fog pattern to cool the air above the fire
- Cone pattern aimed at treetops
- Broken stream dispersed over a wide area
Correct answer: Straight stream directed at the base of flames
A straight stream directed at the base of the flames is most effective for direct attack because it penetrates burning fuel and removes heat at the source.
Question 2: Which personal protective equipment (PPE) item is mandatory for all wildland firefighters when working near a fire?
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
- Nomex fire-resistant clothing (Correct answer)
- Hard hat with face shield
- Rubber boots with steel toes
Correct answer: Nomex fire-resistant clothing
Nomex fire-resistant clothing (shirt and pants) is mandatory PPE for wildland firefighters to protect against radiant heat and brief flame exposure.
Question 3: A crew is using a chain saw to fall a snag near the fireline. What is the minimum safe distance for non-essential personnel?
- 50 feet
- 2 tree lengths (Correct answer)
- 100 feet
- 10 feet
Correct answer: 2 tree lengths
Non-essential personnel must stay at least 2 tree lengths away from felling operations to avoid injury from falling trees or thrown debris.
Question 4: What is the function of the 'swamper' role when a chain saw is being operated on the fireline?
- Operating the chain saw during high-density fuels
- Clearing debris, guiding the sawyer, and watching for hazards (Correct answer)
- Carrying fuel and oil for the saw
- Maintaining radio communication with the crew boss
Correct answer: Clearing debris, guiding the sawyer, and watching for hazards
The swamper works alongside the sawyer to clear debris from the cutting area, guide safe felling direction, and alert the sawyer to hazards.
Question 5: What is the primary use of a combi tool (combination tool) in wildland firefighting?
- Cutting large-diameter logs and digging trenches
- Grubbing roots and scraping the mineral soil surface (Correct answer)
- Pumping water from a portable tank
- Measuring fire intensity with a calibrated gauge
Correct answer: Grubbing roots and scraping the mineral soil surface
The combi tool combines a grubbing hoe and a scraper blade, used for grubbing out roots and exposing mineral soil to construct fireline.
Question 6: How should a hand tool be carried when moving through heavy brush to prevent injury?
- Held horizontally at waist level with blade forward
- Carried over the shoulder with the blade pointing up and away from others (Correct answer)
- Dragged behind the firefighter to clear a path
- Held vertically with the blade facing downward
Correct answer: Carried over the shoulder with the blade pointing up and away from others
Hand tools should be carried over the shoulder with the blade pointed away from others to minimize the risk of accidental cuts while moving through brush.
Question 7: What component of a portable pump system connects the pump to the water source during wildland operations?
- Forestry hose
- Hard suction hose (Correct answer)
- Gated wye
- Ball valve
Correct answer: Hard suction hose
Hard suction hose is used to connect the portable pump intake to the water source because it will not collapse under negative pressure created by the pump.
S-130 Wildland Tools & Equipment 3
What type of nozzle pattern is most effective for direct attack on the flaming front of a wildland fire?