PSI FIREFIGHTER SELECTION TEST (FST) | VERIFIED
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - LATEST
VERSION 2026/2027
FIRE SERVICE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION
PSI Firefighter Selection Test (FST)
1. Passage: Smoke detectors should be tested monthly and their
batteries replaced at least once a year. Units older than ten years
should be replaced entirely. According to the passage, how often should
detector batteries be replaced at a minimum?
A. Every month
B. At least once a year
C. Every ten years
D. Every two years
B. At least once a year The passage separates monthly testing from
yearly battery replacement.
2. Passage: Crews arrived at 0412 hours to find heavy smoke on the
second floor. The captain ordered a primary search while the engine
crew established a water supply. The fire was declared under control at
0448. How long after arrival was the fire brought under control?
A. 36 minutes
B. 26 minutes
C. 46 minutes
D. 48 minutes
A. 36 minutes From 0412 to 0448 is 36 minutes.
PSI Firefighter Selection Test (FST) Practice Examination | Page 1
,3. Passage: Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, so occupants
cannot detect it without an alarm. Which statement best expresses the
main idea?
A. Carbon monoxide has a strong smell that warns occupants
B. Carbon monoxide only occurs in garages
C. Carbon monoxide is dangerous because people cannot sense it
without an alarm
D. Alarms for carbon monoxide are too costly to use
C. Carbon monoxide is dangerous because people cannot sense it
without an alarm The whole passage centers on the fact that the gas
cannot be sensed unaided.
4. Passage: Although the crew was exhausted after the long shift, the
lieutenant insisted that every piece of equipment be checked before
anyone left. In this passage, the word "insisted" most nearly means:
A. suggested casually
B. forgot
C. refused
D. demanded firmly
D. demanded firmly To insist is to demand something persistently
and firmly.
5. Passage: Kitchen fires are most often caused by unattended cooking.
Water should never be used on a grease fire because it can spread the
burning grease. Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?
A. Water is the safest agent for grease fires
B. Kitchen fires rarely involve cooking
C. Leaving cooking unattended is low risk
D. Using water on a grease fire can make the situation worse
D. Using water on a grease fire can make the situation worse The
passage states water spreads burning grease.
PSI Firefighter Selection Test (FST) Practice Examination | Page 2
,6. Passage: The nearest hydrant was 200 feet from the building, and
the hose lay was completed in three minutes. Which detail is stated
directly in the passage?
A. The hydrant was 200 feet from the building
B. The building was three stories tall
C. The hose lay took five minutes
D. The hydrant was out of service
A. The hydrant was 200 feet from the building Only the 200-foot
distance is given.
7. Passage: First, size up the scene. Next, establish command. Then
ensure a water supply, and finally begin the fire attack. According to
the passage, what step comes immediately after establishing command?
A. Begin the fire attack
B. Ensure a water supply
C. Size up the scene
D. Ventilate the roof
B. Ensure a water supply Water supply is listed third, right after
command.
8. Passage: Ladders must be inspected before each use. Cracked or
loose rungs make a ladder unsafe. A damaged ladder should be
removed from service and tagged. What should be done with a ladder
that has a cracked rung?
A. Use it carefully for light work
B. Repair it with tape
C. Remove it from service and tag it
D. Return it to the truck unmarked
C. Remove it from service and tag it The passage directs removal and
tagging.
PSI Firefighter Selection Test (FST) Practice Examination | Page 3
, 9. Passage: Heat stress is a leading cause of firefighter injury.
Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, and heavy sweating. Rest and
hydration are the recommended first responses. What is the
recommended first response to symptoms of heat stress?
A. Continue working at a slower pace
B. Rest and hydration
C. Put on extra insulation
D. Eat a large meal
B. Rest and hydration The passage names rest and hydration.
10. Passage: Every family should practice a home escape plan twice a
year, and every member should know two ways out of each room. What
is the author's main purpose?
A. To entertain readers with a fire story
B. To explain how smoke alarms work
C. To describe the history of firefighting
D. To persuade families to plan and practice escape routes
D. To persuade families to plan and practice escape routes The
passage urges an action, which is persuasive.
11. Passage: Investigators found the fire started near an overloaded
extension cord with several appliances plugged into a single power
strip. What was the most likely cause of the fire?
A. Arson using an accelerant
B. A gas leak
C. Lightning
D. An electrical overload
D. An electrical overload Too many appliances on one strip points to
overload.
PSI Firefighter Selection Test (FST) Practice Examination | Page 4
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - LATEST
VERSION 2026/2027
FIRE SERVICE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION
PSI Firefighter Selection Test (FST)
1. Passage: Smoke detectors should be tested monthly and their
batteries replaced at least once a year. Units older than ten years
should be replaced entirely. According to the passage, how often should
detector batteries be replaced at a minimum?
A. Every month
B. At least once a year
C. Every ten years
D. Every two years
B. At least once a year The passage separates monthly testing from
yearly battery replacement.
2. Passage: Crews arrived at 0412 hours to find heavy smoke on the
second floor. The captain ordered a primary search while the engine
crew established a water supply. The fire was declared under control at
0448. How long after arrival was the fire brought under control?
A. 36 minutes
B. 26 minutes
C. 46 minutes
D. 48 minutes
A. 36 minutes From 0412 to 0448 is 36 minutes.
PSI Firefighter Selection Test (FST) Practice Examination | Page 1
,3. Passage: Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, so occupants
cannot detect it without an alarm. Which statement best expresses the
main idea?
A. Carbon monoxide has a strong smell that warns occupants
B. Carbon monoxide only occurs in garages
C. Carbon monoxide is dangerous because people cannot sense it
without an alarm
D. Alarms for carbon monoxide are too costly to use
C. Carbon monoxide is dangerous because people cannot sense it
without an alarm The whole passage centers on the fact that the gas
cannot be sensed unaided.
4. Passage: Although the crew was exhausted after the long shift, the
lieutenant insisted that every piece of equipment be checked before
anyone left. In this passage, the word "insisted" most nearly means:
A. suggested casually
B. forgot
C. refused
D. demanded firmly
D. demanded firmly To insist is to demand something persistently
and firmly.
5. Passage: Kitchen fires are most often caused by unattended cooking.
Water should never be used on a grease fire because it can spread the
burning grease. Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?
A. Water is the safest agent for grease fires
B. Kitchen fires rarely involve cooking
C. Leaving cooking unattended is low risk
D. Using water on a grease fire can make the situation worse
D. Using water on a grease fire can make the situation worse The
passage states water spreads burning grease.
PSI Firefighter Selection Test (FST) Practice Examination | Page 2
,6. Passage: The nearest hydrant was 200 feet from the building, and
the hose lay was completed in three minutes. Which detail is stated
directly in the passage?
A. The hydrant was 200 feet from the building
B. The building was three stories tall
C. The hose lay took five minutes
D. The hydrant was out of service
A. The hydrant was 200 feet from the building Only the 200-foot
distance is given.
7. Passage: First, size up the scene. Next, establish command. Then
ensure a water supply, and finally begin the fire attack. According to
the passage, what step comes immediately after establishing command?
A. Begin the fire attack
B. Ensure a water supply
C. Size up the scene
D. Ventilate the roof
B. Ensure a water supply Water supply is listed third, right after
command.
8. Passage: Ladders must be inspected before each use. Cracked or
loose rungs make a ladder unsafe. A damaged ladder should be
removed from service and tagged. What should be done with a ladder
that has a cracked rung?
A. Use it carefully for light work
B. Repair it with tape
C. Remove it from service and tag it
D. Return it to the truck unmarked
C. Remove it from service and tag it The passage directs removal and
tagging.
PSI Firefighter Selection Test (FST) Practice Examination | Page 3
, 9. Passage: Heat stress is a leading cause of firefighter injury.
Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, and heavy sweating. Rest and
hydration are the recommended first responses. What is the
recommended first response to symptoms of heat stress?
A. Continue working at a slower pace
B. Rest and hydration
C. Put on extra insulation
D. Eat a large meal
B. Rest and hydration The passage names rest and hydration.
10. Passage: Every family should practice a home escape plan twice a
year, and every member should know two ways out of each room. What
is the author's main purpose?
A. To entertain readers with a fire story
B. To explain how smoke alarms work
C. To describe the history of firefighting
D. To persuade families to plan and practice escape routes
D. To persuade families to plan and practice escape routes The
passage urges an action, which is persuasive.
11. Passage: Investigators found the fire started near an overloaded
extension cord with several appliances plugged into a single power
strip. What was the most likely cause of the fire?
A. Arson using an accelerant
B. A gas leak
C. Lightning
D. An electrical overload
D. An electrical overload Too many appliances on one strip points to
overload.
PSI Firefighter Selection Test (FST) Practice Examination | Page 4
