California Firefighter Examination with
Practice Questions And Correct Answers.
149 Quest
1. A Type III wildland engine arrives at a rapidly moving grass fire pushed by 25 mph
winds with 10% relative humidity. The Incident Commander orders a direct attack on
the left flank. Which principle most critically governs the safety of this tactic?
A. Anchor, flank, and pinch the head of the fire to control spread.
B. Establish an anchor point and work from the black into the green.
C. Deploy a progressive hose lay from the pump to the fire's edge.
D. Use a mobile attack to knock down the head before flanking.
Answer: B. Establish an anchor point and work from the black into the green.
Rationale: Direct attack on a wind-driven grass fire requires anchoring from a secure
point and attacking from the burned area (black) into unburned fuel (green) to avoid being
flanked or overrun. Options A and D risk placing crews in front of the head with no escape
route; C is a tactic, not the governing safety principle.
2. A multi-story commercial building has a standpipe system. The fire department
connection (FDC) is a 4-inch Storz with a clapper valve. Which action is required by
NFPA 14 and California Fire Code before supplying the FDC?
A. Flush the FDC with a 2½-inch line to clear debris, then connect supply lines.
B. Connect supply lines first, then open the FDC clapper to test pressure.
C. Verify the building's fire pump is running before charging the FDC.
D. Ensure the FDC is equipped with a pressure-reducing valve before charging.
Answer: A. Flush the FDC with a 2½-inch line to clear debris, then connect supply
lines.
Rationale: NFPA 14 and California Fire Code require flushing the FDC to remove debris
before connecting supply lines to prevent obstruction of the standpipe system. Connecting
first (B) can force debris into the system; the fire pump (C) is not required to be running
before FDC charging; PRVs (D) are not universally required and do not replace flushing.
Page 1 of 79
,3. A firefighter in full PPE with SCBA is performing a primary search in a room with
a neutral plane at the ceiling and a temperature of 400°F at the floor. Which search
technique is most appropriate?
A. Upright walk with a tool to maintain orientation and speed.
B. Crawl with a tool, staying low and sweeping with the back of the hand.
C. Crawl with a tool, staying low and sweeping with the palm of the hand.
D. Upright walk with a thermal imaging camera to locate victims.
Answer: B. Crawl with a tool, staying low and sweeping with the back of the hand.
Rationale: In high-heat conditions with a neutral plane, firefighters should stay low and
sweep with the back of the hand to avoid burns from hot surfaces. Upright walking (A, D)
exposes the firefighter to extreme heat; sweeping with the palm (C) risks burns to the palm
and fingers.
4. A hazardous materials incident involves an unknown liquid leaking from a railcar.
The ERG guide number is not immediately available. Which initial isolation and
protective action distance should be used for an unknown hazardous material?
A. Initial isolation 100 meters in all directions; protective action 800 meters downwind.
B. Initial isolation 50 meters in all directions; protective action 300 meters downwind.
C. Initial isolation 150 meters in all directions; protective action 1000 meters downwind.
D. Initial isolation 200 meters in all directions; protective action 1600 meters downwind.
Answer: A. Initial isolation 100 meters in all directions; protective action 800 meters
downwind.
Rationale: For unknown hazardous materials, ERG 2024 recommends initial isolation of
100 meters (330 feet) in all directions and protective action distance of 800 meters (0.5
miles) downwind. Options B, C, and D do not match the current ERG guidance for
unknown materials.
Page 2 of 79
,5. A firefighter is trapped on the second floor of a residential structure with a rapidly
deteriorating fire. Which survival action is most likely to preserve the firefighter's life
while awaiting rescue?
A. Break a window and perform a self-escape via ladder.
B. Activate the PASS device and move to a safe location near a window.
C. Follow the hose line back to the point of entry.
D. Take a defensive position behind a closed door and wait for rescue.
Answer: B. Activate the PASS device and move to a safe location near a window.
Rationale: Activating the PASS device and moving to a window improves locatability and
provides a potential egress point if conditions worsen. Breaking a window (A) can cause
flashover; following the hose (C) may be impossible if the line is compromised; hiding
behind a door (D) reduces visibility to rescuers.
6. Which of the following best describes the correct application of the 'two-in/two-out'
rule at a structure fire under Cal/OSHA Title 8 and NFPA 1500?
A. Two firefighters must enter together and remain on the same hose line at all times.
B. An initial attack crew of two may enter if a rapid intervention crew of two is on scene.
C. Two firefighters must enter, and two must remain outside as a rapid intervention crew
before entry.
D. Two firefighters may enter only after a second alarm has been requested.
Answer: C. Two firefighters must enter, and two must remain outside as a rapid
intervention crew before entry.
Rationale: The two-in/two-out rule requires that before entry into an IDLH atmosphere,
two firefighters must be outside as a rapid intervention crew ready to rescue. Option A is
not the rule; B is incorrect because the RIC must be on scene before entry; D is not
required.
Page 3 of 79
, 7. A firefighter is using a thermal imaging camera (TIC) to locate a victim in a
smoke-filled room. Which TIC image characteristic most reliably indicates a human
victim?
A. A bright white shape with sharp edges.
B. A dark gray shape with a heat signature.
C. A distinct heat pattern with a cooler center.
D. A uniform temperature gradient across the room.
Answer: C. A distinct heat pattern with a cooler center.
Rationale: A human body typically appears as a heat pattern with a cooler center due to
clothing and moisture, and the shape may be partially obscured. Sharp white edges (A)
often indicate reflective surfaces; dark gray (B) may be a cool object; uniform gradient (D)
does not indicate a victim.
8. A firefighter is performing a primary search in a room with a neutral plane at the
ceiling and a temperature of 400°F at the floor. Which search technique is most
appropriate?
A. Upright walk with a tool to maintain orientation and speed.
B. Crawl with a tool, staying low and sweeping with the back of the hand.
C. Crawl with a tool, staying low and sweeping with the palm of the hand.
D. Upright walk with a thermal imaging camera to locate victims.
Answer: B. Crawl with a tool, staying low and sweeping with the back of the hand.
Rationale: In high-heat conditions with a neutral plane, firefighters should stay low and
sweep with the back of the hand to avoid burns from hot surfaces. Upright walking (A, D)
exposes the firefighter to extreme heat; sweeping with the palm (C) risks burns to the palm
and fingers.
Page 4 of 79
Practice Questions And Correct Answers.
149 Quest
1. A Type III wildland engine arrives at a rapidly moving grass fire pushed by 25 mph
winds with 10% relative humidity. The Incident Commander orders a direct attack on
the left flank. Which principle most critically governs the safety of this tactic?
A. Anchor, flank, and pinch the head of the fire to control spread.
B. Establish an anchor point and work from the black into the green.
C. Deploy a progressive hose lay from the pump to the fire's edge.
D. Use a mobile attack to knock down the head before flanking.
Answer: B. Establish an anchor point and work from the black into the green.
Rationale: Direct attack on a wind-driven grass fire requires anchoring from a secure
point and attacking from the burned area (black) into unburned fuel (green) to avoid being
flanked or overrun. Options A and D risk placing crews in front of the head with no escape
route; C is a tactic, not the governing safety principle.
2. A multi-story commercial building has a standpipe system. The fire department
connection (FDC) is a 4-inch Storz with a clapper valve. Which action is required by
NFPA 14 and California Fire Code before supplying the FDC?
A. Flush the FDC with a 2½-inch line to clear debris, then connect supply lines.
B. Connect supply lines first, then open the FDC clapper to test pressure.
C. Verify the building's fire pump is running before charging the FDC.
D. Ensure the FDC is equipped with a pressure-reducing valve before charging.
Answer: A. Flush the FDC with a 2½-inch line to clear debris, then connect supply
lines.
Rationale: NFPA 14 and California Fire Code require flushing the FDC to remove debris
before connecting supply lines to prevent obstruction of the standpipe system. Connecting
first (B) can force debris into the system; the fire pump (C) is not required to be running
before FDC charging; PRVs (D) are not universally required and do not replace flushing.
Page 1 of 79
,3. A firefighter in full PPE with SCBA is performing a primary search in a room with
a neutral plane at the ceiling and a temperature of 400°F at the floor. Which search
technique is most appropriate?
A. Upright walk with a tool to maintain orientation and speed.
B. Crawl with a tool, staying low and sweeping with the back of the hand.
C. Crawl with a tool, staying low and sweeping with the palm of the hand.
D. Upright walk with a thermal imaging camera to locate victims.
Answer: B. Crawl with a tool, staying low and sweeping with the back of the hand.
Rationale: In high-heat conditions with a neutral plane, firefighters should stay low and
sweep with the back of the hand to avoid burns from hot surfaces. Upright walking (A, D)
exposes the firefighter to extreme heat; sweeping with the palm (C) risks burns to the palm
and fingers.
4. A hazardous materials incident involves an unknown liquid leaking from a railcar.
The ERG guide number is not immediately available. Which initial isolation and
protective action distance should be used for an unknown hazardous material?
A. Initial isolation 100 meters in all directions; protective action 800 meters downwind.
B. Initial isolation 50 meters in all directions; protective action 300 meters downwind.
C. Initial isolation 150 meters in all directions; protective action 1000 meters downwind.
D. Initial isolation 200 meters in all directions; protective action 1600 meters downwind.
Answer: A. Initial isolation 100 meters in all directions; protective action 800 meters
downwind.
Rationale: For unknown hazardous materials, ERG 2024 recommends initial isolation of
100 meters (330 feet) in all directions and protective action distance of 800 meters (0.5
miles) downwind. Options B, C, and D do not match the current ERG guidance for
unknown materials.
Page 2 of 79
,5. A firefighter is trapped on the second floor of a residential structure with a rapidly
deteriorating fire. Which survival action is most likely to preserve the firefighter's life
while awaiting rescue?
A. Break a window and perform a self-escape via ladder.
B. Activate the PASS device and move to a safe location near a window.
C. Follow the hose line back to the point of entry.
D. Take a defensive position behind a closed door and wait for rescue.
Answer: B. Activate the PASS device and move to a safe location near a window.
Rationale: Activating the PASS device and moving to a window improves locatability and
provides a potential egress point if conditions worsen. Breaking a window (A) can cause
flashover; following the hose (C) may be impossible if the line is compromised; hiding
behind a door (D) reduces visibility to rescuers.
6. Which of the following best describes the correct application of the 'two-in/two-out'
rule at a structure fire under Cal/OSHA Title 8 and NFPA 1500?
A. Two firefighters must enter together and remain on the same hose line at all times.
B. An initial attack crew of two may enter if a rapid intervention crew of two is on scene.
C. Two firefighters must enter, and two must remain outside as a rapid intervention crew
before entry.
D. Two firefighters may enter only after a second alarm has been requested.
Answer: C. Two firefighters must enter, and two must remain outside as a rapid
intervention crew before entry.
Rationale: The two-in/two-out rule requires that before entry into an IDLH atmosphere,
two firefighters must be outside as a rapid intervention crew ready to rescue. Option A is
not the rule; B is incorrect because the RIC must be on scene before entry; D is not
required.
Page 3 of 79
, 7. A firefighter is using a thermal imaging camera (TIC) to locate a victim in a
smoke-filled room. Which TIC image characteristic most reliably indicates a human
victim?
A. A bright white shape with sharp edges.
B. A dark gray shape with a heat signature.
C. A distinct heat pattern with a cooler center.
D. A uniform temperature gradient across the room.
Answer: C. A distinct heat pattern with a cooler center.
Rationale: A human body typically appears as a heat pattern with a cooler center due to
clothing and moisture, and the shape may be partially obscured. Sharp white edges (A)
often indicate reflective surfaces; dark gray (B) may be a cool object; uniform gradient (D)
does not indicate a victim.
8. A firefighter is performing a primary search in a room with a neutral plane at the
ceiling and a temperature of 400°F at the floor. Which search technique is most
appropriate?
A. Upright walk with a tool to maintain orientation and speed.
B. Crawl with a tool, staying low and sweeping with the back of the hand.
C. Crawl with a tool, staying low and sweeping with the palm of the hand.
D. Upright walk with a thermal imaging camera to locate victims.
Answer: B. Crawl with a tool, staying low and sweeping with the back of the hand.
Rationale: In high-heat conditions with a neutral plane, firefighters should stay low and
sweep with the back of the hand to avoid burns from hot surfaces. Upright walking (A, D)
exposes the firefighter to extreme heat; sweeping with the palm (C) risks burns to the palm
and fingers.
Page 4 of 79
