Ch 12

Question 1

What is the primary role of the Incident Safety Officer (ISO) at a structure fire?

Answer 1

To protect firefighters by monitoring, evaluating, and devising ways to make response efforts safer.

Question 2

What formula expresses risk-taking at a structure fire?

Answer 2

Principal hazards ± Integrity + Other hazards ± Resource effectiveness = Risk-taking

Question 3

What are the three components of an effective Personnel Accountability Report (PAR)?

Answer 3

Confirmation of assignment, location, and number of people in each assignment.

Question 4

What are the top three actions an ISO should take if a member is not accounted for?

Answer 4

1. Verify the missing person/crew and last known position. 2. Declare “emergency traffic” and communicate the missing designation. 3. Activate a Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) to the last known area.

Question 5

What are four principal hazards at structure fires?

Answer 5

1. Hostile fire events (flashover, backdraft, explosive growth). 2. Building geometry. 3. Collapse potential. 4. Hazardous energy.

Question 6

What is meant by environmental integrity?

Answer 6

The status of the building, conditions, and hazards in terms of stability (change potential) and time (rate of change).

Question 7

How can environmental integrity be classified?

Answer 7

Stable and not likely to change, stable but changing slowly, unstable and changing slowly, unstable and changing quickly.

Question 8

What are four instances when an ISO should request an Assistant Safety Officer (ASO)?

Answer 8

1. Large buildings with significant fire. 2. When a plans section is established. 3. When the ISO enters an IDLH environment. 4. When a Mayday is declared.

Question 9

What is a “rescue profile”?

Answer 9

A classification of the probability that a victim will survive in a given building space, categorized as high, marginal, or zero.

Question 10

What indicates a high rescue profile?

Answer 10

Clear windows, minimally smoke-stained windows, condensation on windows, smoke with clear visibility below.

Question 11

What indicates a marginal rescue profile?

Answer 11

Fast, thick, dark smoke (not turbulent), intact dark-stained windows, collapsed but not fire-involved spaces.

Question 12

What indicates a zero rescue profile?

Answer 12

Fully developed fire, turbulent black smoke, floor-level temperatures over 300°F, collapsed and fire-involved areas.

Question 13

What are environmental factors that may require increased RIC capabilities?

Answer 13

Geographical distance, building geometry, access/egress options, type of construction.

Question 14

What are operational factors that may require increased RIC capabilities?

Answer 14

Multiple hot zones, inadequate RIC tools, inferior tools, activated RIC, need for rotation/rehab.

Question 15

How should the ISO communicate the need for increased RIC capability to the IC?

Answer 15

Through face-to-face discussion, avoiding radio to prevent misinterpretation as an emergency.

Question 16

What fire behavior issues should the ISO communicate to the RIC?

Answer 16

Smoke and fire conditions, heat and airflow paths, potential for hostile fire events, fire stream effectiveness.

Question 17

What access/egress issues should the ISO share with the RIC?

Answer 17

Number and locations of access/egress points, barriers, forcible entry challenges, need for more options.

Question 18

What collapse issues should the ISO communicate to the RIC?

Answer 18

Building type/era/use/size, established collapse zones, weak links, likelihood and severity.

Question 19

What hazardous energy issues should the ISO share with the RIC?

Answer 19

Status of building utilities, shut-off options, presence of hazmat/pressure vessels.

Question 20

What are unique hazards at strip mall structure fires?

Answer 20

Facades with rapid collapse potential, heavy roof loads (HVAC, signs), fire spread in concealed spaces.

Question 21

What are four ISO functions at high-rise fires?

Answer 21

1. Position at command post. 2. Monitor action plan and building systems. 3. Address evacuation issues. 4. Communicate with ASOs.

Question 22

What are six ASO functions at high-rise fires?

Answer 22

1. Monitor physical demands on firefighters. 2. Ensure internal traffic control. 3. Check compartment integrity. 4. Establish no-entry zones. 5. Deliver safety briefings. 6. Monitor outside hazards (traffic, debris, helicopters).

Question 23

What contaminants necessitate decontamination at structure fires?

Answer 23

Carcinogens, irritants, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, particulates in smoke and soot.

Question 24

What is the first step in gross contamination reduction at a fire scene?

Answer 24

Perform head-to-toe decontamination using a hose, bristle brush, and mild soap before disconnecting SCBA.

Question 25

What should firefighters do before entering rehab?

Answer 25

Use sanitary wipes to clean sweat and soot from hands, neck, and face.

Question 26

How should contaminated PPE be handled after a fire?

Answer 26

Place in a clear disposable trash bag for transport, clean at the station, and prepare a second set of PPE.

Question 27

What are typical causes of IC dysfunction at structure fires?

Answer 27

Incomplete/inaccurate incident intelligence, failure to update the IAP, inexperience of the IC.

Question 28

What is building geometry?

Answer 28

Elements like layout, size, number of floors, access options, and other structural features.

Question 29

What is a magnet task?

Answer 29

A task that attracts too many firefighters, causing congestion and increasing injury risk.

Question 30

How can the ISO address magnet tasks?

Answer 30

Use signaling devices (e.g., tennis ball, whistle) to get attention and remind crews to separate or take a timeout.

Question 31

What are the three resource considerations at structure fires?

Answer 31

Staffing, equipment reach, task applications.

Question 32

What is the recommended staffing for a high-hazard occupancy fire?

Answer 32

42 personnel for initial fire ground operations.

Question 33

What is the recommended staffing for a medium-hazard occupancy fire?

Answer 33

30 personnel for initial fire ground operations.

Question 34

What is the recommended staffing for a low-hazard occupancy fire?

Answer 34

23 personnel for initial fire ground operations.

Question 35

Why is time an important consideration for the ISO?

Answer 35

It dictates hazard priorities, permits recon efforts, and affects the difference between imminent threats and minor concerns.

Question 36

How can the ISO monitor time effectively?

Answer 36

Use dispatch broadcasts, a stopwatch, or a smartphone to track elapsed incident time.

Question 37

What are examples of other hazards at structure fires?

Answer 37

Weather, sloping-grade buildings, vehicles, fences, shrubbery, security hardware.

Question 38

Why are sloping-grade buildings hazardous?

Answer 38

Crews may mistake the second floor for the first, leading to communication errors and disorientation.

Question 39

What is the ISO’s role in evaluating resource effectiveness?

Answer 39

Judge if staffing and equipment match the Incident Action Plan (IAP) and assess operational progress.

Question 40

What indicates a failing fire attack?

Answer 40

Smoke becoming thicker, darker, or more turbulent, or inadequate fire flow to the fire seat.

Question 41

What is the purpose of a Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC)?

Answer 41

To initiate immediate rescue of injured, lost, or trapped firefighters in IDLH environments.

Question 42

What is the minimum RIC requirement per OSHA?

Answer 42

Two trained and equipped personnel (two-in, two-out rule) for SCBA use in IDLH environments.

Question 43

What is the recommended RIC size for structure fires?

Answer 43

A dedicated crew of four responders.

Question 44

When should PARs be conducted at structure fires?

Answer 44

Every 15 minutes in IDLH environments, after mode changes, benchmarks, flashovers, collapses, or Maydays.

Question 45

What are the top two causes of fire ground injuries?

Answer 45

1. Slips, trips, and falls (strains/sprains). 2. Being struck by objects.

Question 46

What is the greatest traffic risk at structure fires?

Answer 46

Arriving or moving apparatus, especially during water-tender shuttle operations.

Question 47

How can the ISO mitigate traffic risks?

Answer 47

Ensure a traffic flow plan is communicated, remind operators to use spotters, and warn firefighters to look both ways.

Question 48

Why is rehab important at structure fires?

Answer 48

To address heat, physical exertion, and weather exposure effects on firefighters.

Question 49

Who should the ISO check for rehab needs?

Answer 49

Interior crews, outside responders, apparatus operators, RICs, command staff, and rehab attendants.

Question 50

What radio trigger words indicate a developing problem?

Answer 50

“Mayday,” “Urgent,” “Emergency traffic,” unintelligible yelling, “I’m lost,” “Look out!”

Question 51

Why is cancer prevention critical for firefighters?

Answer 51

Firefighters have twice the cancer rate of the general population due to smoke exposure.

Question 52

What is the ISO’s role if the IC’s tactics seem inappropriate?

Answer 52

Provide factual observations and a risk-reduction solution without attacking the IC’s tactics or strategy.

Question 53

What are indicators of a ventilation-limited fire?

Answer 53

Thick, black, turbulent smoke with a well-defined air track, indicating potential for explosive growth.

Question 54

What are collapse warning signs in modern buildings?

Answer 54

Pressurized, tan, brown, or darkening smoke from structural areas, especially in lightweight wood buildings.

Question 55

What are examples of hostile fire events?

Answer 55

Flashover, backdraft, explosive growth.

Question 56

What is the ISO’s role in high-rise fire command?

Answer 56

Stay strategic, monitor the action plan, building systems, evacuation, and communicate with ASOs.

Question 57

Why should the ISO avoid entering IDLH environments?

Answer 57

To retain an outside viewpoint; an ASO should be requested for IDLH entries.

Question 58

What is the benefit of ISO-RIC communication?

Answer 58

Enhances situational awareness for both by sharing observations on hazards and crew locations.

Question 59

How does the ISO support the IC at structure fires?

Answer 59

Acts as the eyes and ears, focusing on safety details and risk reduction without overriding tactics.