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Free Practice Questions for Concours Caporal SPP

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Key Facts: Concours Caporal SPP Exam

Category C

Territorial civil service rank classification (Cadre d'emplois des sapeurs et caporaux)

Décret n° 2012-520

Free

Official examination entry fee through public territorial CDG centers

Centres de Gestion de la Fonction Publique Territoriale

< 5 / 20

Eliminatory mark threshold in written admissibility or oral admission interview

Décret n° 2020-1474

100 MCQs

Specialized practice questions authored in this OpenExamPrep subject bank

OpenExamPrep Practice Curriculum

2 Years

Initial validity period of successful laureates on the territorial suitability list

Code général de la fonction publique

The Concours Caporal SPP is France's state competition for career professional firefighters across departmental SDIS. Administered free of charge by territorial CDGs, candidates undergo written admissibility tests, physical performance trials, and an oral jury defense. This 100-question prep module reinforces key institutional, hydraulic, firefighting, and emergency medical competencies with full rationales.

Sample Concours Caporal SPP Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Concours Caporal SPP exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under French administrative law (Code général des collectivités territoriales, Art. L. 1424-1), what is the legal status of a Service Départemental d'Incendie et de Secours (SDIS)?
A.An Établissement Public Administratif (EPA) endowed with legal personality and financial autonomy
B.A direct decentralized branch of the Ministère de l'Intérieur without financial autonomy
C.A commercial public utility (SPIC) operating under private labor and procurement regulations
D.A private non-profit association governed by the Law of 1 July 1901
Explanation: Article L. 1424-1 of the Code général des collectivités territoriales (CGCT) establishes that a SDIS is an Établissement Public Administratif (EPA) possessing legal personality and financial autonomy, allowing it to manage its own budget, equipment, and personnel.
2How is executive authority partitioned over the Directeur Départemental des Services d'Incendie et de Secours (DDSIS)?
A.The DDSIS is placed under the operational authority of the Préfet de département and the administrative/financial authority of the Président du Conseil d'Administration (CASDIS)
B.The DDSIS is solely accountable to the Président du Conseil départemental for both operational command and financial administration
C.The DDSIS answers exclusively to the Ministère de l'Intérieur through the DGSCGC for all administrative and operational matters
D.The DDSIS operates under the joint operational authority of the local Mayors (Maires) assembled in an intercommunal syndicate
Explanation: Under the CGCT, the DDSIS is subject to a dual authority: the Préfet de département holds operational command for emergency response and civil protection policing, while the Président du Conseil d'Administration du SDIS (CASDIS) oversees administrative management, budget, and staffing.
3Under Article L. 2212-2 of the Code général des collectivités territoriales (CGCT), which authority holds initial municipal police power to prevent and suppress fires and disasters within communal boundaries?
A.The Maire of the commune
B.The Préfet de région
C.The Chef de centre of the local fire station
D.The Procureur de la République
Explanation: Article L. 2212-2 of the CGCT grants the municipal police authority (police municipale) to the Maire, tasked with ensuring public order, safety, and health, which explicitly includes preventing and abating fires, floods, building collapses, and accidents.
4In the departmental operational architecture of a SDIS, what fundamental functional difference distinguishes the CTA from the CODIS?
A.The CTA receives, filters, and processes incoming emergency calls (18/112), while the CODIS manages overall tactical tracking, inter-service coordination, and operational resource availability
B.The CTA commands on-scene fire attacks, while the CODIS handles post-incident administrative payroll and billing
C.The CTA is run exclusively by volunteer firefighters, whereas the CODIS is staffed entirely by police commissioners
D.The CTA manages wildland fire satellite telemetry, while the CODIS handles urban ambulance dispatch only
Explanation: The CTA (Centre de Traitement de l'Alerte) is the operational call center dedicated to answering, screening, and processing 18 and 112 emergency calls. The CODIS (Centre Opérationnel Départemental d'Incendie et de Secours) provides permanent 24/7 strategic coordination, monitoring all ongoing incidents, mobilizing reinforcements, and liaising with the prefecture and partner agencies.
5What is the primary statutory difference between a Sapeur-Pompier Professionnel (SPP) and a Sapeur-Pompier Volontaire (SPV)?
A.An SPP is a permanent territorial civil servant receiving a monthly salary, while an SPV performs civic service outside their primary profession and receives hourly tax-free allowances (indemnités)
B.An SPP only fights industrial fires, while an SPV is solely restricted to pre-hospital first aid (SUAP)
C.An SPP is subject to the Code du travail under private commercial contracts, whereas an SPV has military status
D.An SPP has operational command authority on all scenes, whereas an SPV can never act as Chef d'agrès
Explanation: An SPP is a territorial civil servant (fonctionnaire territorial) belonging to the local government civil service cadre and receiving a regular salary and pension benefits. An SPV engages in voluntary civil service commitment, retaining their civil job while receiving hourly allowances (indemnités horaires) exempt from income tax.
6On an emergency rescue scene, how does the Commandant des Opérations de Secours (COS) interact with the Directeur des Opérations de Secours (DOS)?
A.The DOS (Maire or Préfet) holds the legal administrative police authority, while the COS (fire officer) exercises tactical and operational command of all rescue resources under the DOS's general guidance
B.The COS overrides the DOS on all political and civil protection decisions without notifying public authorities
C.The DOS directs hose lines and interior breathing apparatus teams directly, while the COS manages press briefings
D.The DOS and COS have identical functions and alternate command every two hours during multi-agency incidents
Explanation: The DOS is the administrative political authority (the Mayor, or the Préfet if the crisis spans multiple communes or triggers ORSEC). The COS is the operational fire rescue officer on scene who commands rescue tactics, resources, and firefighter safety under the administrative oversight of the DOS.
7In the French fire service operational command hierarchy, which command function is responsible for commanding a tactical group composed of several response vehicles (typically 2 to 4 agrès) on a single operation?
A.Chef de groupe
B.Chef d'agrès
C.Chef de colonne
D.Chef de site
Explanation: In the operational command chain, a Chef d'agrès commands a single rescue vehicle; a Chef de groupe commands a group (Groupe, 2 to 4 agrès); a Chef de colonne commands a column (Colonne, 3 groups); and a Chef de site commands a major site (Site, multiple columns).
8At the supra-departmental level in France, which entity coordinates mutual aid between SDIS and interdepartmental civil security reinforcements within a Defense and Security Zone?
A.The Centre Opérationnel de Zone (COZ) under the authority of the Préfet de Zone
B.The Conseil d'Administration of the largest neighboring SDIS
C.The regional court of accounts (Chambre régionale des comptes)
D.The European Civil Protection Monitoring and Information Centre (ERCC)
Explanation: Each Zone de défense et de sécurité possesses an État-Major de Zone (EMZ) and a Centre Opérationnel de Zone (COZ) operating under the authority of the Préfet de Zone de défense et de sécurité to coordinate cross-departmental mutual aid and mobilize specialized columns.
9What is the primary role of the Centre Opérationnel de Gestion Interministérielle des Crises (COGIC) located at the DGSCGC in Paris?
A.To provide permanent 24/7 national monitoring, crisis evaluation, and deployment of national civil security assets (such as water bombers and Formations Militaires de la Sécurité Civile)
B.To dispatch ambulances directly to residential medical emergencies in the Île-de-France region
C.To arbitrate labor disputes between municipal councils and professional firefighter unions
D.To conduct mandatory vehicle inspections for departmental fire engines (FPT)
Explanation: COGIC is the national 24/7 operational center of the DGSCGC (Ministère de l'Intérieur). It oversees nationwide civil security situations, dispatches state assets (water-bombing aircraft, Formations Militaires de la Sécurité Civile - ForMSCiv), and coordinates interministerial disaster responses.
10Which of the following military units provides territorial fire and rescue services in France rather than being organized as a civil departmental SDIS?
A.The Brigade de Sapeurs-Pompiers de Paris (BSPP) and the Bataillon de Marins-Pompiers de Marseille (BMPM)
B.The Gendarmerie Mobile and the Police Nationale CRS units
C.The Régiment d'Infanterie de Marine (RIMA) and the Légion Étrangère
D.The Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA) and the Douanes Françaises
Explanation: In France, two major metropolitan areas are protected by military fire formations: the BSPP (an Armée de Terre / Engineering brigade protecting Paris and the three inner-ring Petite Couronne departments) and the BMPM (a Marine Nationale unit protecting Marseille, its port, and airport).

About the Concours Caporal SPP Exam

The Concours de Caporal de Sapeurs-Pompiers Professionnels (SPP) is the competitive entry examination for operational career firefighters in France's departmental fire and rescue services (Services Départementaux d'Incendie et de Secours - SDIS). Governed by the Code de la sécurité intérieure and territorial civil service statutes, caporaux carry out emergency medical assistance (SUAP), structure and wildland firefighting, road rescue (secours routier), hazardous material containment, and civil protection operations. This comprehensive 100-question study bank delivers realistic technical practice across institutional legal frameworks, fire dynamics, hydraulic flow equations, pre-hospital life support, and hazardous chemical response.

Exam sponsor: Centres de Gestion (CDG) de la Fonction Publique Territoriale / Ministère de l'Intérieur (DGSCGC). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Under Décret n° 2020-1474, the first external route has a 1-hour text study and a 1-hour mathematics QCM (each coefficient 1); the SPV route uses a text-based QCM and an SPV-knowledge QCM. Physical pre-admission comprises exactly three events in order: 50 m swimming, parcours professionnel adapté, and Luc Léger. Swimming is pass/fail; the latter two are averaged at coefficient 4. Admission is a 15-minute individual interview, with at most five minutes' presentation (coefficient 4).

Time Limit

Written admissibility: 2 hours; physical pre-admission: three events; oral interview: 15 minutes

Passing Score

Competitive list: written average at least 10/20, successful swimming test, at least 8/20 average on the two scored physical events, at least 5/20 on each mandatory scored test, and at least 10/20 overall

Exam / Certification Fees

Free / No examination fee

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

25%

Organisation de la sécurité civile et des SDIS

Institutional governance under the Code de la sécurité intérieure and CGCT, administrative dual-supervision of SDIS by the Préfet and Conseil d'Administration (CASDIS), municipal police authority of the Maire, operations coordination by CTA (18/112) and CODIS, on-scene command (COS), and civil service statutory duties.

25%

Techniques de lutte contre les incendies

Combustion chemistry, fire triangle and tetrahedron, NF EN 2 fire classes (A, B, C, D, F), extinguishing agents (water, additives, foams, ABC/BC powders, CO2), dangerous thermal phenomena (flashover, backdraft, roll-over), variable-flow nozzle operation (LDV), self-contained breathing apparatus (ARI) safety, and rescue techniques.

25%

Secours d'urgence aux personnes (SUAP) et premiers secours

Pre-hospital emergency assessment sequence (bilan circonstanciel, d'urgence vitale, complémentaire), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED defibrillation protocols, control of catastrophic external hemorrhages (tourniquet/garrot), recovery position (PLS), cervical and spinal trauma immobilization (MID, scoop stretcher, cervical collar), and acute medical emergencies.

25%

Risques technologiques, naturels et culture scientifique appliquée

Applied mathematics and hydraulics formulas (flow rate Q = V/t, nozzle reaction, static head pressure +0.1 bar/m, hose friction losses), electrical shock hazard safe approach perimeters, transport of dangerous goods (ADR orange plates, Kemler hazard codes, UN numbers), NRBC-e defense principles, and emergency civil response plans (PCS, ORSEC, PPI).

Preparing for the Concours Caporal SPP Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Competitive list: written average at least 10/20, successful swimming test, at least 8/20 average on the two scored physical events, at least 5/20 on each mandatory scored test, and at least 10/20 overall
  • Assessment: Under Décret n° 2020-1474, the first external route has a 1-hour text study and a 1-hour mathematics QCM (each coefficient 1); the SPV route uses a text-based QCM and an SPV-knowledge QCM. Physical pre-admission comprises exactly three events in order: 50 m swimming, parcours professionnel adapté, and Luc Léger. Swimming is pass/fail; the latter two are averaged at coefficient 4. Admission is a 15-minute individual interview, with at most five minutes' presentation (coefficient 4).
  • Time limit: Written admissibility: 2 hours; physical pre-admission: three events; oral interview: 15 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: Free / No examination fee Official sources

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Concours Caporal SPP: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master applied hydraulic formulas: calculate nozzle flow rate (Q = V/t in L/min), static pressure gain/loss (0.1 bar per vertical meter), and total pump discharge pressure taking into account hose friction loss.
2Memorize the precise operational phone lines and coordination bodies: CTA handles emergency reception (18 and 112), CODIS conducts 24/7 departmental dispatch and tracking, and SAMU operates Centre 15.
3Thoroughly review the SUAP victim assessment hierarchy: begin with the circumstantial assessment, immediately address catastrophic bleeding (garrot), assess responsiveness and airway/breathing (LVA/PLS/CPR), and transmit a structured report to SAMU CRRA 15.
4Understand ADR hazardous material placards: the top number indicates the Kemler hazard code (doubling digits indicates intensified danger, prefix 'X' forbids water contact), while the bottom 4 digits represent the UN chemical identifier.
5Learn civil service rights and duties: study the obligations of hierarchical obedience, professional secrecy, discretion, reserve, and neutrality required of all French territorial firefighters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official structure of the Concours Caporal SPP in France?

The first external route has a 1-hour text study and a 1-hour mathematics QCM; the SPV route has two route-specific QCMs. Pre-admission comprises exactly three physical events—50 m swimming, adapted professional course and Luc Léger—and admission is a 15-minute jury interview (coefficient 4).

What are the passing conditions and eliminatory marks?

Candidates need at least a 10/20 written average, must pass swimming, need at least an 8/20 average on the two scored physical events, must avoid any mandatory scored mark below 5/20, and need at least 10/20 overall. Those thresholds establish eligibility; final success remains competitive.

What is the legal difference between an SPP and an SPV?

A Sapeur-Pompier Professionnel (SPP) is a full-time territorial civil servant (fonctionnaire territorial) employed by an SDIS, receiving a monthly civil service salary and pension rights. A Sapeur-Pompier Volontaire (SPV) is a citizen engaged in voluntary civic commitment outside their primary employment, receiving tax-free hourly operational allowances (indemnités horaires) rather than a salary.

How are operational fire and rescue services directed between the Préfet and the Maire?

Under the Code général des collectivités territoriales (CGCT), the Maire exercises municipal police authority over safety and disaster response within communal boundaries. However, once an operation exceeds municipal resources or spans multiple communes, or when an ORSEC departmental plan is activated, the Préfet de département assumes operational directing authority as Directeur des Opérations de Secours (DOS), delegating tactical command to the fire officer serving as Commandant des Opérations de Secours (COS).

Why is this practice question bank presented in English?

This question bank is an English-language study adaptation developed by OpenExamPrep. It enables bilingual candidates, international emergency services students, and researchers to master the rigorous theoretical, hydraulic, medical, and procedural requirements of the French fire service while preserving authentic French operational terms.