Firefighter Entry-Level
CPS FIREFIGHTER TEST PREP | VERIFIED EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS | COMPLETE EXAM | LATEST VERSION 2026/2027
FIREFIGHTER ENTRY-LEVEL WRITTEN EXAM
Fireground
Page 1
, Firefighter Entry-Level
1. Read the passage: 'Smoke alarms should be tested every month, and
batteries should be replaced at least once a year. Nearly two-thirds of
home fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms.'
According to the passage, how often should smoke alarm batteries be
replaced at a minimum?
A. Only when the alarm chirps
B. Every five years
C. Once a year
D. Every month
C. Once a year
The passage says batteries should be replaced at least once a year;
monthly is for testing.
2. Read the passage: 'Kitchen fires are the leading cause of home fires.
Most start when food is left unattended on the stove.' What is the main
idea of the passage?
A. Unattended cooking is a major cause of home fires
B. Food should never be cooked at home
C. Fires only start in kitchens
D. Stoves are unsafe to own
A. Unattended cooking is a major cause of home fires
The passage links kitchen fires to unattended cooking.
3. Read the passage: 'When the alarm sounds, crews must be on the
apparatus and moving within 60 seconds. Delays can cost lives.' What is
the passage mainly stressing?
A. The need for longer training
B. The number of calls per shift
C. The cost of new apparatus
D. The importance of a fast response
D. The importance of a fast response
The focus is the 60-second response expectation.
Page 2
, Firefighter Entry-Level
4. Read the passage: 'The officer instructed the crew to check the
second floor first because the caller reported a child asleep upstairs.'
Why did the officer send the crew to the second floor first?
A. The fire was on the second floor
B. A child was reported to be upstairs
C. The stairs were the safest route
D. The second floor was easiest to reach
B. A child was reported to be upstairs
The stated reason was the reported sleeping child.
5. Read the passage: 'Ventilation removes heat and smoke from a
burning structure, which improves visibility and reduces the danger to
trapped occupants.' Which word is closest in meaning to 'ventilation'?
A. Insulating
B. Sealing
C. Flooding
D. Airing out
D. Airing out
Ventilation means releasing smoke and heat by letting air move through.
6. Read the passage: 'Because carbon monoxide has no color or odor,
people can be poisoned without knowing it. Alarms are the only
reliable way to detect it.' What can be concluded from the passage?
A. Carbon monoxide cannot be detected by smell or sight
B. Carbon monoxide has a strong odor
C. Only gas stoves produce carbon monoxide
D. Alarms are not needed in homes
A. Carbon monoxide cannot be detected by smell or sight
The passage states carbon monoxide has no color or odor, so people
cannot detect it themselves.
Page 3
, Firefighter Entry-Level
7. Read the passage: 'After the fire was out, crews began overhaul,
opening walls and ceilings to check for hidden hot spots.' In this
passage, what is the purpose of overhaul?
A. To connect hoses
B. To rescue victims
C. To ventilate the roof
D. To find hidden fire that could rekindle
D. To find hidden fire that could rekindle
Overhaul means searching for and extinguishing concealed fire.
8. Read the passage: 'Engine 4 arrived at 2:15 p.m., Ladder 2 arrived
four minutes later, and the chief arrived two minutes after that.' At
what time did the chief arrive?
A. 2:25 p.m.
B. 2:21 p.m.
C. 2:19 p.m.
D. 2:17 p.m.
B. 2:21 p.m.
2:15 plus 4 minutes is 2:19, plus 2 more minutes is 2:21.
9. Read the passage: 'The company's policy requires that all protective
gear be inspected after every fire and repaired or replaced if damaged.'
According to the policy, when must gear be inspected?
A. Only when it looks worn
B. After every fire
C. Once a year
D. At the start of each month
B. After every fire
The policy states inspection follows every fire.
Page 4
CPS FIREFIGHTER TEST PREP | VERIFIED EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS | COMPLETE EXAM | LATEST VERSION 2026/2027
FIREFIGHTER ENTRY-LEVEL WRITTEN EXAM
Fireground
Page 1
, Firefighter Entry-Level
1. Read the passage: 'Smoke alarms should be tested every month, and
batteries should be replaced at least once a year. Nearly two-thirds of
home fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms.'
According to the passage, how often should smoke alarm batteries be
replaced at a minimum?
A. Only when the alarm chirps
B. Every five years
C. Once a year
D. Every month
C. Once a year
The passage says batteries should be replaced at least once a year;
monthly is for testing.
2. Read the passage: 'Kitchen fires are the leading cause of home fires.
Most start when food is left unattended on the stove.' What is the main
idea of the passage?
A. Unattended cooking is a major cause of home fires
B. Food should never be cooked at home
C. Fires only start in kitchens
D. Stoves are unsafe to own
A. Unattended cooking is a major cause of home fires
The passage links kitchen fires to unattended cooking.
3. Read the passage: 'When the alarm sounds, crews must be on the
apparatus and moving within 60 seconds. Delays can cost lives.' What is
the passage mainly stressing?
A. The need for longer training
B. The number of calls per shift
C. The cost of new apparatus
D. The importance of a fast response
D. The importance of a fast response
The focus is the 60-second response expectation.
Page 2
, Firefighter Entry-Level
4. Read the passage: 'The officer instructed the crew to check the
second floor first because the caller reported a child asleep upstairs.'
Why did the officer send the crew to the second floor first?
A. The fire was on the second floor
B. A child was reported to be upstairs
C. The stairs were the safest route
D. The second floor was easiest to reach
B. A child was reported to be upstairs
The stated reason was the reported sleeping child.
5. Read the passage: 'Ventilation removes heat and smoke from a
burning structure, which improves visibility and reduces the danger to
trapped occupants.' Which word is closest in meaning to 'ventilation'?
A. Insulating
B. Sealing
C. Flooding
D. Airing out
D. Airing out
Ventilation means releasing smoke and heat by letting air move through.
6. Read the passage: 'Because carbon monoxide has no color or odor,
people can be poisoned without knowing it. Alarms are the only
reliable way to detect it.' What can be concluded from the passage?
A. Carbon monoxide cannot be detected by smell or sight
B. Carbon monoxide has a strong odor
C. Only gas stoves produce carbon monoxide
D. Alarms are not needed in homes
A. Carbon monoxide cannot be detected by smell or sight
The passage states carbon monoxide has no color or odor, so people
cannot detect it themselves.
Page 3
, Firefighter Entry-Level
7. Read the passage: 'After the fire was out, crews began overhaul,
opening walls and ceilings to check for hidden hot spots.' In this
passage, what is the purpose of overhaul?
A. To connect hoses
B. To rescue victims
C. To ventilate the roof
D. To find hidden fire that could rekindle
D. To find hidden fire that could rekindle
Overhaul means searching for and extinguishing concealed fire.
8. Read the passage: 'Engine 4 arrived at 2:15 p.m., Ladder 2 arrived
four minutes later, and the chief arrived two minutes after that.' At
what time did the chief arrive?
A. 2:25 p.m.
B. 2:21 p.m.
C. 2:19 p.m.
D. 2:17 p.m.
B. 2:21 p.m.
2:15 plus 4 minutes is 2:19, plus 2 more minutes is 2:21.
9. Read the passage: 'The company's policy requires that all protective
gear be inspected after every fire and repaired or replaced if damaged.'
According to the policy, when must gear be inspected?
A. Only when it looks worn
B. After every fire
C. Once a year
D. At the start of each month
B. After every fire
The policy states inspection follows every fire.
Page 4
