2024 VBFD Probationary Test Study
Guide
Transfer requests will be complied on a master list at the district chief's office and will remain active
until ____________ of each year. - Answer -December 31st
The incident command system shall be used at all incidents that are comprised of any of the following
five components. - Answer -Command (strategy level) Operations Section (tactical level) Planning
Section (technical assistance and planning) Logistics Section (service and logistical support)
Administration/Finance Section (procurement of outside services, documentation, financial matters, and
efforts to recover operational costs)
Who has the ultimate responsibility for the safety of all fire department personnel operating at an
incident? - Answer -Incident Commander
When should command conduct a risk/benefit analysis? - Answer -During the initial size-up and as a part
of incident action planning, when effective benchmarks are met, and/or changes in tactical objectives
are made.
What does RECEOVS stand for. - Answer -Rescue, Exposures, Confinement, Extinguishment, Overhaul,
Ventilation, and Salvage.
What provides a management tool to enable fire officers to effectively command any incident from a
single unit response to a major disaster? - Answer -Incident Command System
What three roles remain a command function at all times? - Answer -Safety, Liaison, and PIO
,Who has the responsibility to develop an organizational structure to effectively command the incident? -
Answer -Incident Commander
What is the best support mechanism the IC can utilize to achieve a balance between managing
personnel incident need? - Answer -Building a command organization
What defines when and where resources will be assigned to control the situation? - Answer -IAP
When an incident moves to multiple alarms, who will develop and write the IAP? - Answer -Planning
officer
Which level involves the overall command of the incident? - Answer -Strategic level
Which level directs operational activities toward specific objectives? - Answer -Tactical level
Who is included in tactical level officers? - Answer -Branch directors, Division and Group Supervisors
What are tactical level officers responsible for? - Answer -Specific geographic areas, specific functions,
and supervising assigned personnel
Which level refers to the activities accomplished by individual companies and specific personnel? -
Answer -Task
Which level is where the work is actually done? - Answer -Task
Which level activities are routinely supervised by company officers? - Answer -Task level activities should
accomplish tactical objectives. Achievements of tactical objectives should accomplish the strategy
outlined in the IAP.
What is the most important factor considered by IC when determining the strategy employed in each
situation? - Answer -Risk to emergency response personnel
,When shall command conduct a risk/benefit analysis? - Answer -During the initial size-up and as part of
the Incident Action planning
When should the IC re-evaluate the risk/benefit process? - Answer -Upon completion of tactical
benchmarks and when changes in tactical objectives are made
When should Command 1 be considered for response? - Answer -When an incident goes to a second
alarm
What are the three initial strategies (modes)? - Answer -Investigative, offensive, and defensive
Which situation requires immediate action to stabilize and requires the company officer's assistance and
direct involvement in fire attack? - Answer -Offensive mode
At the company officer level, who is the preferred platform to assume command from initial command
officer? - Answer -Engine company officers
Can Command be transferred to an officer who is not on the scene? - Answer -No
How many times can command be passed at the company officer level? - Answer -Once
What is the preferred method to transfer command? - Answer -Face-to-face
Who is responsible for notifying dispatcher that command is terminated and clearing the TAC channel? -
Answer -Last officer on the scene
What is a reconstruction of an incident to assess the events, methods to control the incident, and how
actions contributed to the incident outcome? - Answer -PIA
, When changes to operational practices are recommended, where are the recommendations forwarded?
- Answer -Officer-in-charge of the PIA and passed via chain of command to the Deputy Chief of
Operations
Who is responsible for initiating a formal PIA? - Answer -Incident Commander of the incident
What events require a formal PIA? - Answer -Incidents requiring heavy apparatus at or beyond the level
of second alarm structural or medical response
Who does the IC address the after action report (AAR) to? - Answer -Deputy Chief of Operations within
30 days of the incident
Any time sustained wind conditions exceed _______ mph; all aerial ladder operations will be prohibited.
- Answer -35mph
What is a working fire? - Answer -A structure fire in which there is moderate to heavy smoke showing
from or inside the structure upon arrival.
What happens when a working fire is called? - Answer -Initiate notification of FSTAFF, PIO, Public
utilities, and SUP08
How many personnel should a RIT team be compromised of? - Answer -At least four from an engine,
ladder, or rescue.
What color tape indicates a hot zone? - Answer -Red, all personnel will avoid this area unless given a
direct assignment by the officer in-charge to enter.
What color tape indicates a warm zone? - Answer -Yellow, used to keep bystanders, news crews, and
non-essential personnel away from the scene.
When should fire personnel advise an occupant that no hazard exists in an occupancy? - Answer -Never
Guide
Transfer requests will be complied on a master list at the district chief's office and will remain active
until ____________ of each year. - Answer -December 31st
The incident command system shall be used at all incidents that are comprised of any of the following
five components. - Answer -Command (strategy level) Operations Section (tactical level) Planning
Section (technical assistance and planning) Logistics Section (service and logistical support)
Administration/Finance Section (procurement of outside services, documentation, financial matters, and
efforts to recover operational costs)
Who has the ultimate responsibility for the safety of all fire department personnel operating at an
incident? - Answer -Incident Commander
When should command conduct a risk/benefit analysis? - Answer -During the initial size-up and as a part
of incident action planning, when effective benchmarks are met, and/or changes in tactical objectives
are made.
What does RECEOVS stand for. - Answer -Rescue, Exposures, Confinement, Extinguishment, Overhaul,
Ventilation, and Salvage.
What provides a management tool to enable fire officers to effectively command any incident from a
single unit response to a major disaster? - Answer -Incident Command System
What three roles remain a command function at all times? - Answer -Safety, Liaison, and PIO
,Who has the responsibility to develop an organizational structure to effectively command the incident? -
Answer -Incident Commander
What is the best support mechanism the IC can utilize to achieve a balance between managing
personnel incident need? - Answer -Building a command organization
What defines when and where resources will be assigned to control the situation? - Answer -IAP
When an incident moves to multiple alarms, who will develop and write the IAP? - Answer -Planning
officer
Which level involves the overall command of the incident? - Answer -Strategic level
Which level directs operational activities toward specific objectives? - Answer -Tactical level
Who is included in tactical level officers? - Answer -Branch directors, Division and Group Supervisors
What are tactical level officers responsible for? - Answer -Specific geographic areas, specific functions,
and supervising assigned personnel
Which level refers to the activities accomplished by individual companies and specific personnel? -
Answer -Task
Which level is where the work is actually done? - Answer -Task
Which level activities are routinely supervised by company officers? - Answer -Task level activities should
accomplish tactical objectives. Achievements of tactical objectives should accomplish the strategy
outlined in the IAP.
What is the most important factor considered by IC when determining the strategy employed in each
situation? - Answer -Risk to emergency response personnel
,When shall command conduct a risk/benefit analysis? - Answer -During the initial size-up and as part of
the Incident Action planning
When should the IC re-evaluate the risk/benefit process? - Answer -Upon completion of tactical
benchmarks and when changes in tactical objectives are made
When should Command 1 be considered for response? - Answer -When an incident goes to a second
alarm
What are the three initial strategies (modes)? - Answer -Investigative, offensive, and defensive
Which situation requires immediate action to stabilize and requires the company officer's assistance and
direct involvement in fire attack? - Answer -Offensive mode
At the company officer level, who is the preferred platform to assume command from initial command
officer? - Answer -Engine company officers
Can Command be transferred to an officer who is not on the scene? - Answer -No
How many times can command be passed at the company officer level? - Answer -Once
What is the preferred method to transfer command? - Answer -Face-to-face
Who is responsible for notifying dispatcher that command is terminated and clearing the TAC channel? -
Answer -Last officer on the scene
What is a reconstruction of an incident to assess the events, methods to control the incident, and how
actions contributed to the incident outcome? - Answer -PIA
, When changes to operational practices are recommended, where are the recommendations forwarded?
- Answer -Officer-in-charge of the PIA and passed via chain of command to the Deputy Chief of
Operations
Who is responsible for initiating a formal PIA? - Answer -Incident Commander of the incident
What events require a formal PIA? - Answer -Incidents requiring heavy apparatus at or beyond the level
of second alarm structural or medical response
Who does the IC address the after action report (AAR) to? - Answer -Deputy Chief of Operations within
30 days of the incident
Any time sustained wind conditions exceed _______ mph; all aerial ladder operations will be prohibited.
- Answer -35mph
What is a working fire? - Answer -A structure fire in which there is moderate to heavy smoke showing
from or inside the structure upon arrival.
What happens when a working fire is called? - Answer -Initiate notification of FSTAFF, PIO, Public
utilities, and SUP08
How many personnel should a RIT team be compromised of? - Answer -At least four from an engine,
ladder, or rescue.
What color tape indicates a hot zone? - Answer -Red, all personnel will avoid this area unless given a
direct assignment by the officer in-charge to enter.
What color tape indicates a warm zone? - Answer -Yellow, used to keep bystanders, news crews, and
non-essential personnel away from the scene.
When should fire personnel advise an occupant that no hazard exists in an occupancy? - Answer -Never
