NFPA Firefighter I Cheat Sheet

Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep

Reach versus flexibility

1. No charged line ready→Do not vent(Wait for attack)
2. Contents fire, sound windows→Horizontal vent(Doors and windows)
3. Attic or cockloft fire→Vertical vent(Directly over fire)
4. Backdraft signs present→Vertical vent(Relieve from above)
5. Roof spongy or unsafe→Horizontal only(No roof crews)
6. Large open floor plan→PPV(Exhaust opening first)
7. Light smoke after knockdown→Hydraulic ventilation(Fog out window)
8. Smoke filling stairwell→Vent stairwell top(Protects egress)

1.75-inch line

Residential attack, 150-180 gpm

2.5-inch line

Commercial, about 250 gpm

1.5-inch line

Older, lighter attack line

3-inch and larger

Supply line duty

Booster line

Small outside fires only

Attack hose test

Minimum 300 psi annually

Supply hose test

Minimum 200 psi annually

Friction loss

Rises with flow squared

Storz coupling

Sexless quarter-turn connection

Higbee indicator

Aligns coupling threads

Gap, Set, Force

Existing versus new opening

1. Single-family residence→1.75-inch line(150-180 gpm)
2. Commercial or heavy fire→2.5-inch line(About 250 gpm)
3. Long interior stretch→2.5-inch line(Less friction loss)
4. Standpipe operation→2.5-inch line(Smooth bore preferred)
5. Defensive exterior attack→Master stream(80 psi solid bore)
6. Protecting an exposure→Second line(Blocks radiant heat)
7. Vehicle fire→1.75-inch line(Approach at angle)
8. Small trash fire→Booster line(Exterior Class A)

Solid bore handline

50 psi nozzle pressure

Solid bore master

80 psi nozzle pressure

Combination fog

100 psi standard

Low-pressure fog

75 or 50 psi

Straight stream

Fog nozzle, narrowed pattern

Direct attack

Water onto burning fuel

Indirect attack

Steam conversion, unoccupied space

Combination attack

O, Z or T

Nozzle pressure

Fixed design value

Blue, Green, Orange, Red descending

Protect versus expose

1. Second-floor window→24-foot extension(Butt about 6 feet)
2. Third floor or roof→35-foot extension
3. Working on pitched roof→Roof ladder(Hooks over ridge)
4. Climbing to flat roof→Extension ladder(Tip 3-5 rungs above)
5. Rescue from window→Extension ladder(Tip below the sill)
6. Venting a window→Extension ladder(Tip at window top)
7. Attic or scuttle hatch→Folding ladder(Narrow spaces)

Class AA

Light blue, 1,500+ gpm

Class A

Green, 1,000-1,499 gpm

Class B

Orange, 500-999 gpm

Class C

Red, under 500 gpm

Hydrant barrel

Chrome yellow

Rating pressure

20 psi residual

Static source

Pond, river, cistern

Drafting

Hard suction from static

Forward lay

Hydrant toward the fire

Reverse lay

Fire back to hydrant

Color scheme status

Recommended, not mandatory

1. Door may be unlocked→Try before you pry
2. Inward-swinging wood door→Fork end(Gap, set, force)
3. Outward-swinging metal door→Adz end(Gap above lock)
4. Storefront with cylinder→K-tool(Through-the-lock)
5. Heavy commercial door→Hydraulic spreader(Rabbit tool)
6. Padlock on hasp→Bolt cutters(Or duckbill lock breaker)
7. Speed over damage→Rotary saw(Most destructive)

Climbing angle

About 75 degrees

Butt spacing

One quarter working length

Working length

Butt to top support

Roof access tip

Three to five rungs above

Window rescue tip

Even with or below sill

Ventilation window tip

Even with window top

Fly section

Faces away from building

Leg lock

Secures you for work

Roof ladder

Hooks over the ridge

24-foot extension

Typical second-floor window

35-foot extension

Third floor or roof

Folding ladder

Attic and scuttle access

1. Wood, paper, cloth→Water or ABC(Class A)
2. Gasoline or solvent→Dry chemical or foam(Class B)
3. Energized electrical panel→Carbon dioxide(Class C)
4. Magnesium or sodium→Dry powder agent(Never water)
5. Kitchen fryer fire→Wet chemical(Class K)
6. Mixed occupancy risk→ABC dry chemical(Broadest coverage)

The irons

Halligan plus flathead axe

Fork end

Inward-swinging doors

Adz end

Outward-swinging doors

Pick end

Punches locks and glass

Try before you pry

Check unlocked doors first

Gap, set, force

Conventional prying sequence

K-tool

Through-the-lock cylinder pull

Rabbit tool

Hydraulic door spreader

Bam-bam tool

Screws into lock cylinder

Through-the-lock

Least damage method

Tactical ventilation

Planned heat, smoke removal

Horizontal

Existing doors and windows

Vertical

Roof opening over fire

PPV

Blower pressurizes the building

Negative pressure

Fan pulls smoke out

Hydraulic

Fog stream out window

Flow path

Inlet to outlet travel

Exhaust opening

Make it before pressurizing

Coordination rule

Charged line in place

Sounding the roof

Tests roof before walking

Class A

Wood, paper, cloth

Class B

Flammable liquids and gases

Class C

Energized electrical equipment

Class D

Combustible metals

Class K

Cooking oils and fats

Dry chemical

Common ABC agent

Carbon dioxide

Class BC, no residue

Water can

Class A only

Life safety rope

Supports people; block creel

Utility rope

Tools and cordons only

Clove hitch

Attaches rope to object

Bowline

Fixed loop that holds

Figure eight on bight

Loop anywhere in rope

Becket bend

Joins unequal diameter ropes

Half hitch

Backs up other knots

Water knot

Joins webbing ends

Working end

Part being tied

Salvage

Protects property from damage

Overhaul

Finds hidden fire extension

Salvage cover

Diverts and catches water

Water chute

Routes water outside

Overhaul SCBA

Keep it on; carcinogens

Preserve evidence

Do not disturb origin

Thermal imager

Finds hidden hot spots