VFIS COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS ANSWERS AND
QUESTIONS SET A+
✔✔What are the four components of total stopping distance? - ✔✔1. Perception/time
distance
2. Reaction/time distance
3. Vehicle reaction/time distance
4. Vehicle braking distance
✔✔Most authorities recommend what type of rule as an acceptable following distance at
speeds of 40pmh or less and what for speeds over 40mph? - ✔✔four second rule
five second rule
✔✔A variety of studies indicate that the effective distance of sirens range from __ ft. to
__ ft. In some urban locations, the effective distance can be as little as __ ft. - ✔✔30 ft.
150 ft.
15 ft.
✔✔Total stopping distance is determine by what? - ✔✔1. Perception time
2. Reaction time
3. Braking time
✔✔According to collision reports, what is the vehicle that fire trucks and ambulances
most run into? - ✔✔The one in front of them
✔✔Air brakes have an added delay called what?
Air brakes can take how long or more for air to flow through the lines to activate brake
shoes or pads? - ✔✔Brake-lag
Half a second or more
✔✔When and how do you utilize "snub" braking? - ✔✔Long and/or steep downgrade
1. Apply brakes just hard enough to feel a definite slowdown
2. When your speed has reduced to approx. 5mph below your "safe" speed, release the
brakes (about 3 seconds)
,3. When your speed has increased to your "safe" speed, repeat steps one and two
✔✔What accounts for a disproportionate number of minor, low-speed collisions, and
has potential for serious consequences? - ✔✔Backing
✔✔Vehicles with electronic sirens tend to outrun their sound waves at approx. __mph. -
✔✔55mph
✔✔If a spotter is not available, what should you do? - ✔✔Conduct a walk around of the
vehicle before backing
✔✔Vehicles equipped with __ sirens do not outrun their sound waves. The air of shock
wave is accelerated to more than ___mph, minimizing the vehicle's speed concern. -
✔✔mechanical
120mph
✔✔How far will an emergency vehicle travel at 55mpg during a 10second period? -
✔✔1/6 mile
✔✔Do not operate an emergency vehicle with its what working? - ✔✔Four way flashers
✔✔Change the mode of the siren to wail to __ at least __ ft. before entering an
intersection. - ✔✔yelp
200ft.
✔✔What are other considerations when passing vehicles? - ✔✔Speed of traffic and
visibility limits
✔✔Where are the locations responsible for the largest percentage of major accidents
involving emergency vehicles? - ✔✔Intersections
✔✔The most basic habit is to place both hands on the steering wheel, and maintain a
"___" hand position on the wheel. - ✔✔three and nine
✔✔If adverse conditions cannot be adequately handled or if other unexpected situations
occur, you may need to initiate what? - ✔✔crash avoidance procedures
✔✔Whenever conditions reduce traction, you must do what? - ✔✔Reduce speed and
steer, accelerate, and brake smoothly and evenly
✔✔What is the normal reaction/time distance? - ✔✔3/4 of a second
, ✔✔If backing, how should you give audible notice that you're backing? - ✔✔Touch the
horn lightly 2-3 times before beginning the back-up maneuver
✔✔Having the ability to maintain control of the vehicle using defensive driving skills and
vehicle controls. - ✔✔Skid avoidance
✔✔All emergency vehicles should be equipped with minimum features in good
condition. These features include what four things? - ✔✔1. Windshield/windshield
wipers
2. Visors
3. Headlights
4. Rear-view mirror
✔✔When using an audible signal/buzzer for backing, what does one buzz mean? Two?
Three? - ✔✔1. Stop immediately
2. Go forward
3. Back up
✔✔Do not pass another vehicle within ___ft of another vehicle. - ✔✔100ft
✔✔What should you NEVER do on a railroad? - ✔✔1. Shift gears on a crossing
2. Park the vehicle on a crossing without first getting clearance from the railroad
✔✔Despite training and precautions, sometimes a collision may be unavoidable. What
are four things you can do? - ✔✔1. Identify escape route(s)
2. Brake smoothly and firmly
3. Accelerate smoothly and rapidly
4. Steer to avoid head-on impact
✔✔If backing at a dump/fill site is required, what should be utilized? What should they
wear? - ✔✔Spotters
High-visibility reflective vests
✔✔At highway speeds (40 to 60 mph), a safe pass can be completed in how many
seconds? - ✔✔10 seconds
✔✔What are three examples of adverse conditions that drivers face? - ✔✔1. Traction
2. Vision
3. Adverse handling implications
✔✔As little as __ inch of water can cause hydroplaning of a vehicle. - ✔✔1/16
✔✔Hydroplaning can occur on wet road surfaces at speeds as low as __mph. - ✔✔30
mph
QUESTIONS SET A+
✔✔What are the four components of total stopping distance? - ✔✔1. Perception/time
distance
2. Reaction/time distance
3. Vehicle reaction/time distance
4. Vehicle braking distance
✔✔Most authorities recommend what type of rule as an acceptable following distance at
speeds of 40pmh or less and what for speeds over 40mph? - ✔✔four second rule
five second rule
✔✔A variety of studies indicate that the effective distance of sirens range from __ ft. to
__ ft. In some urban locations, the effective distance can be as little as __ ft. - ✔✔30 ft.
150 ft.
15 ft.
✔✔Total stopping distance is determine by what? - ✔✔1. Perception time
2. Reaction time
3. Braking time
✔✔According to collision reports, what is the vehicle that fire trucks and ambulances
most run into? - ✔✔The one in front of them
✔✔Air brakes have an added delay called what?
Air brakes can take how long or more for air to flow through the lines to activate brake
shoes or pads? - ✔✔Brake-lag
Half a second or more
✔✔When and how do you utilize "snub" braking? - ✔✔Long and/or steep downgrade
1. Apply brakes just hard enough to feel a definite slowdown
2. When your speed has reduced to approx. 5mph below your "safe" speed, release the
brakes (about 3 seconds)
,3. When your speed has increased to your "safe" speed, repeat steps one and two
✔✔What accounts for a disproportionate number of minor, low-speed collisions, and
has potential for serious consequences? - ✔✔Backing
✔✔Vehicles with electronic sirens tend to outrun their sound waves at approx. __mph. -
✔✔55mph
✔✔If a spotter is not available, what should you do? - ✔✔Conduct a walk around of the
vehicle before backing
✔✔Vehicles equipped with __ sirens do not outrun their sound waves. The air of shock
wave is accelerated to more than ___mph, minimizing the vehicle's speed concern. -
✔✔mechanical
120mph
✔✔How far will an emergency vehicle travel at 55mpg during a 10second period? -
✔✔1/6 mile
✔✔Do not operate an emergency vehicle with its what working? - ✔✔Four way flashers
✔✔Change the mode of the siren to wail to __ at least __ ft. before entering an
intersection. - ✔✔yelp
200ft.
✔✔What are other considerations when passing vehicles? - ✔✔Speed of traffic and
visibility limits
✔✔Where are the locations responsible for the largest percentage of major accidents
involving emergency vehicles? - ✔✔Intersections
✔✔The most basic habit is to place both hands on the steering wheel, and maintain a
"___" hand position on the wheel. - ✔✔three and nine
✔✔If adverse conditions cannot be adequately handled or if other unexpected situations
occur, you may need to initiate what? - ✔✔crash avoidance procedures
✔✔Whenever conditions reduce traction, you must do what? - ✔✔Reduce speed and
steer, accelerate, and brake smoothly and evenly
✔✔What is the normal reaction/time distance? - ✔✔3/4 of a second
, ✔✔If backing, how should you give audible notice that you're backing? - ✔✔Touch the
horn lightly 2-3 times before beginning the back-up maneuver
✔✔Having the ability to maintain control of the vehicle using defensive driving skills and
vehicle controls. - ✔✔Skid avoidance
✔✔All emergency vehicles should be equipped with minimum features in good
condition. These features include what four things? - ✔✔1. Windshield/windshield
wipers
2. Visors
3. Headlights
4. Rear-view mirror
✔✔When using an audible signal/buzzer for backing, what does one buzz mean? Two?
Three? - ✔✔1. Stop immediately
2. Go forward
3. Back up
✔✔Do not pass another vehicle within ___ft of another vehicle. - ✔✔100ft
✔✔What should you NEVER do on a railroad? - ✔✔1. Shift gears on a crossing
2. Park the vehicle on a crossing without first getting clearance from the railroad
✔✔Despite training and precautions, sometimes a collision may be unavoidable. What
are four things you can do? - ✔✔1. Identify escape route(s)
2. Brake smoothly and firmly
3. Accelerate smoothly and rapidly
4. Steer to avoid head-on impact
✔✔If backing at a dump/fill site is required, what should be utilized? What should they
wear? - ✔✔Spotters
High-visibility reflective vests
✔✔At highway speeds (40 to 60 mph), a safe pass can be completed in how many
seconds? - ✔✔10 seconds
✔✔What are three examples of adverse conditions that drivers face? - ✔✔1. Traction
2. Vision
3. Adverse handling implications
✔✔As little as __ inch of water can cause hydroplaning of a vehicle. - ✔✔1/16
✔✔Hydroplaning can occur on wet road surfaces at speeds as low as __mph. - ✔✔30
mph
