Chapter 1: Intro Flashcards
(17 cards)
What percentage of emergency responses does EMS account for?
About 80%
This indicates that EMS responses vastly outnumber fire responses.
What is the primary mission of the initial Incident Commander (IC)?
To prevent additional loss of lives and property
This mission guides the actions and decisions of the IC during an emergency.
What factors must the first-in company officer consider during size-up?
- Time of day
- Day of the week
- Weather conditions
These factors are essential components that affect the fire situation and response.
What is one of the leading causes of firefighter line-of-duty deaths (LODDs)?
Inadequate, improper size-up
Proper size-up is critical to ensuring the safety of firefighters and effective emergency response.
What are the two types of value considered in VTS?
- Life value
- Property value
In the context of VTS, what does ‘Time’ refer to?
Time available to fight the fire based on collapse times and fire-rated characteristics
Why are collapse times considered a misnomer?
There are no accurate collapse times; they are based on controlled tests
What is the implication of different building construction types on fire operations?
Some types are more fire resistant, allowing for longer interior operations
What does ‘Size’ refer to in the VTS framework?
Size of the fire and how much water is needed to extinguish it
How is the required number of gallons of water determined?
Using the National Fire Academy Fire flow formula or the Royer/Nelson formula
What must the water delivery rate exceed for the fire to go out?
The number of BTUs generated by the fire
What two categories do fire ground problems fall into?
Top tier and second tier
What are examples of top-tier problems on the fire ground?
Possible occupants, visible occupants, access problems, smoke, fire, exposures, and possible hazardous materials
What are examples of second tier problems on the fire ground
Salvage, securing utilities, overhaul, discovering hazardous materials, water removal, etc.
What is the primary responsibility of the engine company?
Life, safety and applying water to the fire
Engine company personnel should have a good working knowledge of their first alarm district and what else?
Routes of travel and water supply, location of hydrants, static water, sources, FDC’s, occupancies and building construction
What are today’s household furnishing primarily made of?
Petroleum based plastics and synthetics known as modern fuels 
