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Cheat sheet

Firefighter I & II Cheat Sheet

Safety + Communications

20%of exam

SCBAPPEMaydayRadioAccountability

Fire Behavior + Construction

25%of exam

TetrahedronFlashoverBackdraftConstructionCollapse

Tools + Fireground Operations

50%of exam

LaddersVentilationHoseWater SupplySearch

HazMat + Prevention

5%of exam

ERGZonesDeconCOCRR

Quick Facts

Exam
Firefighter I/II
Standard
NFPA 1010
Legacy
NFPA 1001
Questions
Varies
Time
Local AHJ
Pass
Local AHJ
Skills
Written + practical
Credential
IFSAC/Pro Board

LUNAR Mayday

Say who, where, what, air, resources.

LocationUnitNameAirResources

Survival Picker

  1. Low-air alarmExit now(Notify crew)
  2. Lost firefighterMayday(Transmit LUNAR)
  3. No radio replyActivate PASS
  4. Follow hoseFind coupling(Toward pump)
  5. EntangledControl breathing
  6. Need rescueStay oriented
  7. Crew splitRegroup immediately
  8. SCBA failureEmergency procedure

Safety Basics

PPE
Barrier ensemble
SCBA
Respiratory protection
PASS
Motion alarm
PAR
Crew accountability
RIC
Firefighter rescue crew
Rehab
Rest and medical check
IDLH
Immediately dangerous atmosphere

CAN Report

Report conditions, actions, and needs.

ConditionsActionsNeeds

SCBA Air

Low alarm
Exit immediately
Bottle pressure
Check before entry
Facepiece seal
No facial hair
Skip breathing
Emergency conservation
Controlled breathing
Slow air use
Buddy breathing
Department specific
Emergency bypass
Manual air flow

Communications

Mayday
Firefighter emergency
LUNAR
Mayday report
CAN
Progress report
Clear text
Plain radio language
Benchmark
Command progress marker
Tactical channel
Incident radio path

Flashover vs Backdraft

Flashover

  • Room contents ignite
  • Heat-driven event

Backdraft

  • Gases ignite explosively
  • Oxygen-driven event

Read smoke and ventilation

Fire Dynamics

Fuel
Combustible material
Heat
Ignition energy
Oxygen
Oxidizer supply
Chain reaction
Sustained combustion
Conduction
Contact heat transfer
Convection
Fluid heat movement
Radiation
Wave heat transfer
Pyrolysis
Heat releases vapors

Fire Events

Incipient
Early fuel burning
Growth
Heat increases
Flashover
Room contents ignite
Rollover
Ceiling gases ignite
Backdraft
Oxygen-fed explosion
Decay
Oxygen limited phase
Flow path
Heat/smoke route

Construction Types

Type I
Fire resistive
Type II
Noncombustible
Type III
Ordinary masonry
Type IV
Heavy timber
Type V
Wood frame
Truss
Early collapse risk
Balloon frame
Vertical void spread

SLICE-RS Attack

Control flow path before committing crews.

Size-upLocateIsolateCoolExtinguishRescueSalvage

Primary vs Secondary Search

Primary

  • Fast victim search
  • During active incident

Secondary

  • Thorough recheck
  • After fire control

Search twice when possible

Fire Attack Picker

  1. Known life hazardRescue priority
  2. Vent-limited fireControl door
  3. High heat showingCool gases
  4. Exterior fire visibleTransitional attack
  5. Interior line readyAdvance coordinated
  6. Fire knockedOverhaul carefully
  7. Hidden extensionOpen voids
  8. Collapse signsWithdraw crews

Tools + Ladders

Irons
Axe plus Halligan
Pike pole
Pull ceilings
K-tool
Lock cylinder puller
TIC
Thermal imaging camera
4:1 rule
Ladder base spacing
Tip-in
Ladder raise method
Leg lock
Hands-free ladder work

PASS Extinguisher

Pull, aim, squeeze, sweep at base.

PullAimSqueezeSweep

Supply vs Attack Line

Supply

  • Feeds apparatus
  • Large diameter hose

Attack

  • Controls fire
  • Maneuverable hoseline

Match line to mission

Ventilation

Horizontal
Doors/windows venting
Vertical
Roof opening
PPV
Fan pressurization
Hydraulic
Fog stream exhaust
Kerf cut
Roof inspection cut
Trench cut
Extension stop cut
Coordination
Vent with water

Fog vs Solid Stream

Fog

  • Adjustable pattern
  • High steam conversion

Solid

  • Longer reach
  • Better penetration

Use intended stream

Hose + Streams

Attack line
Fire control hose
Supply line
Hydrant to pump
Fog stream
Adjustable pattern
Solid stream
Deep reach
Master stream
High flow appliance
Friction loss
Pressure lost flowing
Water hammer
Sudden pressure surge

Class A vs Class B

Class A

  • Ordinary combustibles
  • Cooling needed

Class B

  • Flammable liquids
  • Vapor blanket needed

Agent must match fuel

Water Supply

Hydrant
Municipal water source
Drafting
Lift static water
Relay
Pump to pump
Tender
Mobile water supply
Forward lay
Hydrant to fire
Reverse lay
Fire to hydrant
Steam expansion
Water expands 1700

Search + Rescue

Primary search
Rapid life search
Secondary search
Thorough confirmation
VEIS
Vent-enter-isolate-search
Oriented search
Anchor firefighter guides
Right-hand search
Wall-follow pattern
Drag
Victim movement
Marking
Room searched signal

Hot Zone vs Cold Zone

Hot zone

  • Contamination present
  • Entry PPE required

Cold zone

  • Support area
  • Clean operations

Keep zones separated

HazMat Picker

  1. Unknown productERG first
  2. Victims exposedDecon corridor
  3. Gas burningSecure source
  4. CO alarmMeter reading
  5. Flammable vaporControl ignition
  6. Responder contaminatedDecon before care

HazMat + Prevention

ERG
Initial action guide
Isolation
Keep people away
Hot zone
Contaminated area
Warm zone
Decon corridor
Cold zone
Support area
CO
Incomplete combustion gas
LEL
Lowest ignitable mix
CRR
Community risk reduction

Common Traps

Low Air Alarm

Exit immediately Do not keep working

Vent Before Water

Coordinate ventilation Do not freelancing vent

Electrical Fire

De-energize first Avoid conductive streams

Gas Leak Fire

Shut source first Avoid vapor cloud

Truss Roof

Expect early collapse Limit roof time

Foam Choice

Class A wood Class B liquids

Last Minute

  1. 1.Know fire tetrahedron
  2. 2.Call Mayday early
  3. 3.Exit on low air
  4. 4.Maintain crew integrity
  5. 5.Control the flow path
  6. 6.Coordinate vent with attack
  7. 7.Use correct foam class
  8. 8.Check collapse indicators
  9. 9.Apply ladder 4:1 rule
  10. 10.Use ERG for unknowns
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