FCTC Written Exam 2025 – Actual Exam
with 100 Verified Questions, Detailed
Answers, and Rationales (Graded A)
Reading Comprehension and Report Writing (Questions 1-20)
1. Question: Read the passage: "During the structure fire, Engine 1 arrived first and
reported heavy smoke from the second floor. The incident commander ordered a
defensive attack due to collapse risk." What was the primary reason for the defensive
strategy? Answer: Building collapse risk. Rationale: The passage explicitly states "due
to collapse risk," aligning with NFPA 1500 incident command principles for safety
(FCTC 2025 Reading Guide, p. 12; defensive prioritizes exterior ops).
2. Question: In a report: "The victim sustained burns to 20% TBSA from the kitchen fire."
What does TBSA stand for? Answer: Total Body Surface Area. Rationale: Standard
medical abbreviation for burn assessment using Rule of Nines; accurate reporting ensures
precise medical handoff (FCTC Report Writing Module).
3. Question: Passage: "The hazmat team isolated the spill using diking and absorption."
What is diking? Answer: Creating barriers to contain liquid. Rationale: Hazmat
technique to redirect flow; comprehension of technical terms tests recall (FCTC
Technical Reading, 2025 update).
4. Question: Essay prompt: Describe response to a vehicle extrication. Key element?
Answer: Scene safety and stabilization. Rationale: First priority per NFPA 1670; clear,
structured writing scores high (FCTC Essay Rubric: organization 40%).
5. Question: Read: "Ladder 5 extended to the roof for ventilation." Purpose of ventilation?
Answer: Remove heat and smoke. Rationale: Positive pressure or horizontal ventilation
improves visibility/conditions (FCTC Reading Comprehension Sample).
, 6. Question: Report: "Incident involved Class B fuel spill." Class B is? Answer:
Flammable liquids. Rationale: NFPA 400 classification; accurate recall for incident
typing (2025 FCTC Guide).
7. Question: Passage: "The crew used SCBA due to IDLH atmosphere." IDLH means?
Answer: Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health. Rationale: NIOSH threshold (e.g.,
<20.9% O2); safety term (FCTC Technical Terms).
8. Question: In writing: "The overhaul phase confirmed no hidden fire." Overhaul is?
Answer: Checking for residual fire. Rationale: Post-suppression inspection; precise
language in reports (FCTC Writing Essentials).
9. Question: Read: "Mutual aid from Station 12 assisted in water supply." Mutual aid
purpose? Answer: Resource sharing across jurisdictions. Rationale: NFPA 1561;
comprehension of ops (2025 sample).
10. Question: Report prompt: Summarize a wildland fire response. Include? Answer: LCES
(Lookout, Communications, Escape routes, Safety zones). Rationale: NWCG standard
for safety; structured summary (FCTC Essay 2025).
11. Question: Passage: "The RIT team deployed for mayday." RIT is? Answer: Rapid
Intervention Team. Rationale: NFPA 1407 for firefighter rescue; key acronym.
12. Question: Writing: "Incident commander established unified command." Unified
command for? Answer: Multi-agency incidents. Rationale: NIMS doctrine; clear
reporting.
13. Question: Read: "The salvage cover protected contents from water damage." Salvage
purpose? Answer: Property conservation. Rationale: Post-fire mitigation;
comprehension.
with 100 Verified Questions, Detailed
Answers, and Rationales (Graded A)
Reading Comprehension and Report Writing (Questions 1-20)
1. Question: Read the passage: "During the structure fire, Engine 1 arrived first and
reported heavy smoke from the second floor. The incident commander ordered a
defensive attack due to collapse risk." What was the primary reason for the defensive
strategy? Answer: Building collapse risk. Rationale: The passage explicitly states "due
to collapse risk," aligning with NFPA 1500 incident command principles for safety
(FCTC 2025 Reading Guide, p. 12; defensive prioritizes exterior ops).
2. Question: In a report: "The victim sustained burns to 20% TBSA from the kitchen fire."
What does TBSA stand for? Answer: Total Body Surface Area. Rationale: Standard
medical abbreviation for burn assessment using Rule of Nines; accurate reporting ensures
precise medical handoff (FCTC Report Writing Module).
3. Question: Passage: "The hazmat team isolated the spill using diking and absorption."
What is diking? Answer: Creating barriers to contain liquid. Rationale: Hazmat
technique to redirect flow; comprehension of technical terms tests recall (FCTC
Technical Reading, 2025 update).
4. Question: Essay prompt: Describe response to a vehicle extrication. Key element?
Answer: Scene safety and stabilization. Rationale: First priority per NFPA 1670; clear,
structured writing scores high (FCTC Essay Rubric: organization 40%).
5. Question: Read: "Ladder 5 extended to the roof for ventilation." Purpose of ventilation?
Answer: Remove heat and smoke. Rationale: Positive pressure or horizontal ventilation
improves visibility/conditions (FCTC Reading Comprehension Sample).
, 6. Question: Report: "Incident involved Class B fuel spill." Class B is? Answer:
Flammable liquids. Rationale: NFPA 400 classification; accurate recall for incident
typing (2025 FCTC Guide).
7. Question: Passage: "The crew used SCBA due to IDLH atmosphere." IDLH means?
Answer: Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health. Rationale: NIOSH threshold (e.g.,
<20.9% O2); safety term (FCTC Technical Terms).
8. Question: In writing: "The overhaul phase confirmed no hidden fire." Overhaul is?
Answer: Checking for residual fire. Rationale: Post-suppression inspection; precise
language in reports (FCTC Writing Essentials).
9. Question: Read: "Mutual aid from Station 12 assisted in water supply." Mutual aid
purpose? Answer: Resource sharing across jurisdictions. Rationale: NFPA 1561;
comprehension of ops (2025 sample).
10. Question: Report prompt: Summarize a wildland fire response. Include? Answer: LCES
(Lookout, Communications, Escape routes, Safety zones). Rationale: NWCG standard
for safety; structured summary (FCTC Essay 2025).
11. Question: Passage: "The RIT team deployed for mayday." RIT is? Answer: Rapid
Intervention Team. Rationale: NFPA 1407 for firefighter rescue; key acronym.
12. Question: Writing: "Incident commander established unified command." Unified
command for? Answer: Multi-agency incidents. Rationale: NIMS doctrine; clear
reporting.
13. Question: Read: "The salvage cover protected contents from water damage." Salvage
purpose? Answer: Property conservation. Rationale: Post-fire mitigation;
comprehension.
