WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER FFT2 EXAM
PRACTICE BUNDLE
BASED ON NWCG STANDARDS FOR
FIREFIGHTER TYPE 2 (FFT2) QUALIFICATION
2026–2027 TESTING CYCLE
Field of Study: Wildland Firefighting, Fire Behavior, and Emergency Response
Edition: 2026–2027
SECTION 1: FIREFIGHTER TYPE 2 QUALIFICATIONS & ROLE (Questions 1–10)
Question 1: What is the entry-level wildland firefighter position under NWCG standards?
Answer: Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2).
Rationale: The FFT2 is the entry-level wildland firefighter position recognized by NWCG. FFT2s have no
supervisory responsibilities and are supervised by Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) or a Single Resource
Boss. The FFT2 works in the Operations functional area and performs fire suppression and fuels
management duties in adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions.
Question 2: What three core NWCG courses are required for FFT2 qualification?
Answer: S-130 (Firefighter Training), S-190 (Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior), and L-180
(Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service).
Rationale: These three courses form the foundational training required for all new Firefighter Type 2
candidates. S-130 covers basic firefighting techniques and equipment, S-190 addresses wildland fire
behavior factors, and L-180 covers human factors, communication, and teamwork principles on the
fireline.
,Question 3: In the hand crew chain of command, who does an FFT2 report to directly?
Answer: A Squad Boss (FFT1) or a Single Resource Boss such as a Crew Boss (CRWB) or Engine Boss
(ENGB).
Rationale: The FFT2 is supervised by the Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) or a Single Resource Boss. The
chain of command typically proceeds: Crewmember (FFT2) → Squad Boss (FFT1) → Assistant
Supervisor → Crew Boss (CRWB).
Question 4: What is the minimum age requirement to qualify as an FFT2?
Answer: 18 years of age.
Rationale: NWCG standards require that candidates for FFT2 qualification be at least 18 years old. This
is a minimum age requirement for wildland firefighting positions, consistent with NWCG and agency
policies.
Question 5: What physical fitness test is required for FFT2 qualification, and what are the standards?
Answer: The Work Capacity Test (Pack Test) at the Arduous level: a 3-mile walk completed in 45
minutes or less while carrying a 45-pound pack.
Rationale: The Arduous Work Capacity Test is required for FFT2 qualification and many other fireline
roles. The test involves walking 3 miles on level ground while carrying a 45-pound pack, with a time limit
of 45 minutes. Moderate duty field work may require a different level of conditioning, but FFT2s typically
must pass the Arduous level.
Question 6: What leadership level does an FFT2 operate at?
Answer: Level 1 – Follower (Provide Action).
Rationale: According to NWCG leadership levels, the FFT2 operates at Level 1, which is the follower
level. At this level, the firefighter takes direction from supervisors, performs assigned tasks, and
,contributes to team objectives. The FFT2 is expected to follow instructions, ask clarifying questions, and
observe and learn from more experienced personnel.
Question 7: Under NWCG PMS 310-1, what is the primary source for establishing minimum training,
skills, and physical fitness requirements for wildland firefighters?
Answer: The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.
Rationale: PMS 310-1 provides guidance and a national wildfire standard for establishing minimum
training, skills, knowledge, experience, and physical fitness requirements for participating agencies of the
NWCG. It is a cornerstone of the National Interagency Incident Management System, specifying minimum
qualifications needed for national mobilization of resources.
Question 8: What type of assignments can an FFT2 expect during a fire season?
Answer: A common fire assignment is 14 to 30 days, often in remote locations with long hours of
physical labor in adverse conditions.
Rationale: Wildland fire assignments typically range from 14 to 30 days. FFT2s perform hard physical
labor for extended periods under adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions, including packing heavy
loads of fuel, food, water, and tools for miles over rough terrain in hot and smoky conditions.
Question 9: What is the purpose of the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red
Book)?
Answer: To establish interagency standards and guidelines for fire and aviation operations, including
position duties and incident complexity characteristics.
Rationale: The Red Book provides interagency standards for fire and fire aviation operations. The FFT2
performs duties commensurate with Type 2 incident complexity and characteristics as stated in the Red
Book. It serves as a reference for operational standards across multiple agencies.
, Question 10: What is the primary function of the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS
461?
Answer: To provide a comprehensive field reference for operational personnel during wildland fire
incidents, ensuring effective and safe response strategies.
Rationale: The IRPG is the "go-to" field authority for wildland guidelines and best practices. It is the
only portable field reference available to wildland firefighters. Its primary intent is to provide operational
personnel with essential safety and tactical information. FFT2s are expected to use the IRPG to guide
their actions.
SECTION 2: WILDLAND FIRE BEHAVIOR (Questions 11–25)
Question 11: What three primary factors affect wildland fire behavior?
Answer: Fuels, weather, and topography.
Rationale: These three factors—often referred to as the "fire behavior triangle"—interact to determine
how a wildland fire will start, spread, and behave. S-190 provides instruction in these primary factors
affecting the start and spread of wildfire. Fuels include the type, quantity, and moisture content of
vegetation. Weather includes temperature, humidity, wind, and precipitation. Topography includes slope,
aspect, and terrain features.
Question 12: How does slope affect the rate of fire spread?
Answer: Fire spreads faster uphill because the preheating of fuels above the fire is more effective, with
the rate of spread approximately doubling for each 10-degree increase in slope.
Rationale: As a fire moves uphill, flames are closer to unburned fuels, radiant and convective heat
preheats the fuels above, and the slope effectively increases the wind component. The rate of spread
approximately doubles for each 10-degree increase in slope, making uphill fire spread significantly more
dangerous.
PRACTICE BUNDLE
BASED ON NWCG STANDARDS FOR
FIREFIGHTER TYPE 2 (FFT2) QUALIFICATION
2026–2027 TESTING CYCLE
Field of Study: Wildland Firefighting, Fire Behavior, and Emergency Response
Edition: 2026–2027
SECTION 1: FIREFIGHTER TYPE 2 QUALIFICATIONS & ROLE (Questions 1–10)
Question 1: What is the entry-level wildland firefighter position under NWCG standards?
Answer: Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2).
Rationale: The FFT2 is the entry-level wildland firefighter position recognized by NWCG. FFT2s have no
supervisory responsibilities and are supervised by Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) or a Single Resource
Boss. The FFT2 works in the Operations functional area and performs fire suppression and fuels
management duties in adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions.
Question 2: What three core NWCG courses are required for FFT2 qualification?
Answer: S-130 (Firefighter Training), S-190 (Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior), and L-180
(Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service).
Rationale: These three courses form the foundational training required for all new Firefighter Type 2
candidates. S-130 covers basic firefighting techniques and equipment, S-190 addresses wildland fire
behavior factors, and L-180 covers human factors, communication, and teamwork principles on the
fireline.
,Question 3: In the hand crew chain of command, who does an FFT2 report to directly?
Answer: A Squad Boss (FFT1) or a Single Resource Boss such as a Crew Boss (CRWB) or Engine Boss
(ENGB).
Rationale: The FFT2 is supervised by the Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) or a Single Resource Boss. The
chain of command typically proceeds: Crewmember (FFT2) → Squad Boss (FFT1) → Assistant
Supervisor → Crew Boss (CRWB).
Question 4: What is the minimum age requirement to qualify as an FFT2?
Answer: 18 years of age.
Rationale: NWCG standards require that candidates for FFT2 qualification be at least 18 years old. This
is a minimum age requirement for wildland firefighting positions, consistent with NWCG and agency
policies.
Question 5: What physical fitness test is required for FFT2 qualification, and what are the standards?
Answer: The Work Capacity Test (Pack Test) at the Arduous level: a 3-mile walk completed in 45
minutes or less while carrying a 45-pound pack.
Rationale: The Arduous Work Capacity Test is required for FFT2 qualification and many other fireline
roles. The test involves walking 3 miles on level ground while carrying a 45-pound pack, with a time limit
of 45 minutes. Moderate duty field work may require a different level of conditioning, but FFT2s typically
must pass the Arduous level.
Question 6: What leadership level does an FFT2 operate at?
Answer: Level 1 – Follower (Provide Action).
Rationale: According to NWCG leadership levels, the FFT2 operates at Level 1, which is the follower
level. At this level, the firefighter takes direction from supervisors, performs assigned tasks, and
,contributes to team objectives. The FFT2 is expected to follow instructions, ask clarifying questions, and
observe and learn from more experienced personnel.
Question 7: Under NWCG PMS 310-1, what is the primary source for establishing minimum training,
skills, and physical fitness requirements for wildland firefighters?
Answer: The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.
Rationale: PMS 310-1 provides guidance and a national wildfire standard for establishing minimum
training, skills, knowledge, experience, and physical fitness requirements for participating agencies of the
NWCG. It is a cornerstone of the National Interagency Incident Management System, specifying minimum
qualifications needed for national mobilization of resources.
Question 8: What type of assignments can an FFT2 expect during a fire season?
Answer: A common fire assignment is 14 to 30 days, often in remote locations with long hours of
physical labor in adverse conditions.
Rationale: Wildland fire assignments typically range from 14 to 30 days. FFT2s perform hard physical
labor for extended periods under adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions, including packing heavy
loads of fuel, food, water, and tools for miles over rough terrain in hot and smoky conditions.
Question 9: What is the purpose of the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red
Book)?
Answer: To establish interagency standards and guidelines for fire and aviation operations, including
position duties and incident complexity characteristics.
Rationale: The Red Book provides interagency standards for fire and fire aviation operations. The FFT2
performs duties commensurate with Type 2 incident complexity and characteristics as stated in the Red
Book. It serves as a reference for operational standards across multiple agencies.
, Question 10: What is the primary function of the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS
461?
Answer: To provide a comprehensive field reference for operational personnel during wildland fire
incidents, ensuring effective and safe response strategies.
Rationale: The IRPG is the "go-to" field authority for wildland guidelines and best practices. It is the
only portable field reference available to wildland firefighters. Its primary intent is to provide operational
personnel with essential safety and tactical information. FFT2s are expected to use the IRPG to guide
their actions.
SECTION 2: WILDLAND FIRE BEHAVIOR (Questions 11–25)
Question 11: What three primary factors affect wildland fire behavior?
Answer: Fuels, weather, and topography.
Rationale: These three factors—often referred to as the "fire behavior triangle"—interact to determine
how a wildland fire will start, spread, and behave. S-190 provides instruction in these primary factors
affecting the start and spread of wildfire. Fuels include the type, quantity, and moisture content of
vegetation. Weather includes temperature, humidity, wind, and precipitation. Topography includes slope,
aspect, and terrain features.
Question 12: How does slope affect the rate of fire spread?
Answer: Fire spreads faster uphill because the preheating of fuels above the fire is more effective, with
the rate of spread approximately doubling for each 10-degree increase in slope.
Rationale: As a fire moves uphill, flames are closer to unburned fuels, radiant and convective heat
preheats the fuels above, and the slope effectively increases the wind component. The rate of spread
approximately doubles for each 10-degree increase in slope, making uphill fire spread significantly more
dangerous.
