Definitions

Question 1

Access

Answer 1

A point of entry into an emergency incident or incident in a structure

Question 2

Accountability

Answer 2

A system or process to track resources at an incident scene

Question 3

Apartment House

Answer 3

A structure that is divided into separate apartments

Question 4

Attack Stairway

Answer 4

In a high-rise building, this is the stairway that is designated for hoseline advancement and operations

Question 5

Attic

Answer 5

A space found directly below the pitched roof of a house or building. This space may be used for either living or storage and is accessed by stairs or ladders.

Question 6

Basement

Answer 6

A floor of a building that is partially or entirely below ground level.

Question 7

C.A.N. Report

Answer 7

Acronym for Conditions, Actions, and Needs that are used to describe current fire ground conditions, actions that are being performed and resources that may be needed. This term is also synonymous with a update that is provided to the Incident commander or responding Battalion Fire Chief

Question 8

Cockloft

Answer 8

The space located between the underside of the roof and the top floor ceiling. The Cock Loft is typically 3 feet or less in height with no direct access from below.

Question 9

Critical Factors

Answer 9

Critical factors are the things that affect the ability to accomplish tactical priorities and impact firefighter safety. These factors fall into 8 standard categories to include: The Building/Fire/Occupancy/Life Hazard/Arrangement/Resources/Action/Special Circumstances.

Question 10

Defensive Operation

Answer 10

An incident where operations are limited to the exterior of a structure and outside of the established collapse zone.

Question 11

Detached Building

Answer 11

A stand-alone structure

Question 12

Dwelling

Answer 12

A place of residence

Question 13

Egress

Answer 13

A continuous and unobstructed way of travel from any accessible point in a building or facility to the exterior.

Question 14

English Basement

Answer 14

A floor of a building that is below ground level and has an entrance located on the front (A-Alpha) side of the Structure

Question 15

Evacuation Stairway

Answer 15

In a high-rise building, this is the stairway that is designated for the removal of occupants.

Question 16

Fire Resistive Construction

Answer 16

In these structures, the walls, partitions, columns, floors, and roofs are noncombustible. Exposed steel, such as girders, columns, beams and roof trusses must have approved fireproofing material applied to meet this standard. If any part of the structure lacks the above definition, the building will not meet the Fire Resistive standard

Question 17

Flanking

Answer 17

A tactic utilized to quickly control the extent of fire from an exterior position. This is a common practice when controlling the horizontal fire spread in incidents involving rear porches. This can be accomplished in-conjunction with a simultaneous interior attack.

Question 18

Floor

Answer 18

Designated number consistent with the living space in a structure.

Question 19

Garden Apartment Building

Answer 19

An apartment complex (containing lawns and gardens) in which the structures are four-floors or lower and constructed of ordinary or wood frame components.

Question 20

Hallway

Answer 20

A common area or corridor with entry/exit points to numerous rooms.

Question 21

Heavy Duty

Answer 21

An operation where hoselines or appliances capable of flowing 325 gallons per-minute or more are utilized

Question 22

Heavy Timber Construction

Answer 22

Heavy Timber construction consists of masonry or some other noncombustible material exterior walls. Interior columns, beams and girders are of heavy timber (minimum 8”x8”). Floors and roofs are of heavy planks (minimum 3”x6”).

Question 23

High-Rise

Answer 23

In the District of Columbia, any building the height of which is 5 stories or more is considered a high-rise structur

Question 24

Hybrid Construction

Answer 24

A mixed use of two or more construction types in one building. Typically, the ground level floor(s) will be fire resistive construction, while the upper floors will be lightweight wood frame construction. In the District of Columbia, these buildings commonly reach 8-stories in height. By law, the lightweight portion of the building cannot exceed 5-stories.

Question 25

Incident Action Plan

Answer 25

The objectives reflecting the overall incident strategy, tactics, risk management, and member safety that are developed by the Incident Commander. These plans are updated and remain fluid throughout the incident.

Question 26

Incident Commander

Answer 26

The individual responsible for all incident activities, including the development of the strategies and tactics and the ordering and the release of resources. The term “Incident Commander” shall refer to the person that has command (Company or Chief Officer) of the incident. The initial Incident Commander shall remain in command of the incident until command has been assumed, transferred or the incident is stabilized and command is terminated.

Question 27

Knee Wall

Answer 27

A short wall, typically less than three feet in height, used to support rafters in timber roof construction. Usually found in structures with peaked roofs. Knee walls are typically covered with plaster or gypsum board by enclosing the useful part of the attic space while the remaining small space under the eaves is only used for storage. This space is ideal for concealing fire spread and must be quickly accessed.

Question 28

Leader Line

Answer 28

A 2 ½” or 3” hoseline, connected to the Wagon and utilized to supply one or two 1 ½” hoselines through a gated “Y” or reducer.

Question 29

Lightweight

Answer 29

A term that describes the density and dimensions of engineered/fabricated wood or metal structural components. Commonly utilized to describe truss roofs, floor joists and wall assemblies in frame construction.

Question 30

Lobby

Answer 30

An area of a building, providing a space out of which one or more other rooms or corridors lead, typically near the main entrance of a public building.

Question 31

Long-Length Hoseline

Answer 31

An attack hoseline, of any size, that is 350’ or longer

Question 32

Lowering

Answer 32

The process of lowering a hoseline from an elevated point, such as a window or rooftop.

Question 33

MAYDAY

Answer 33

A term signifying that a firefighter is in distress due to being lost, trapped or any other life threatening situation

Question 34

Non-Combustible Construction

Answer 34

Noncombustible buildings are similar to fire resistive buildings in that their columns, floors. Roofs, walls and partitions are constructed of noncombustible material, meaning that these materials will not contribute to the spread of fire. These buildings are mainly constructed of steel and concrete and can range from one floor to multiple stories.

Question 35

Ordinary Construction

Answer 35

With ordinary construction, exterior walls and other structural elements that are portions of exterior walls are of approved noncombustible or limited combustible material, such as brick, block, stone and concrete. Walls, floors, and roofs are constructed of wood.

Question 36

Offensive Operation

Answer 36

An incident where members will be operating (in full PPE/SCBA) inside of a structure with an IDLH atmosphere present.

Question 37

Rear Porch

Answer 37

A covered rear area, constructed of wood, commonly found attached to rowhouses in the District of Columbia.

Question 38

Response Order

Answer 38

The position due, as assigned by the Office of Unified Communications upon the initial dispatch of an assignment.

Question 39

Row Building

Answer 39

A structure with two or more attached exposures.

Question 40

Scrub Area

Answer 40

The area of a building wall that can be touched by the tip or bucket of the aerial.

Question 41

Semi-Detached Building

Answer 41

A structure that has a similar attached exposure on one side.

Question 42

Solid Stream

Answer 42

A water stream that is delivered through a solid tip on a play-pipe or heavy duty device.

Question 43

Stairway (Stairwell)

Answer 43

A set of steps or stairs that is either enclosed with surrounding walls or open with railings.

Question 44

Stories

Answer 44

Is the number of levels above ground.

Question 45

Straight Stream

Answer 45

A water stream that is delivered through a CVFSS tip and less than a 30-degree fog pattern.

Question 46

Vacant Building

Answer 46

A vacant building in the District of Columbia is defined by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs as a property that has been unoccupied for a minimum of 30 days.

Question 47

V.E.I.S.

Answer 47

Acronym for Vent Enter Isolate Search, which is a tactic that is used to search an area of the building where access is made through an exterior window.

Question 48

Ventilation Stairway

Answer 48

In a high-rise building, this is the stairway that is designated for ventilation of heat, smoke and toxic gases.

Question 49

Void Space

Answer 49

A concealed area within a structure that requires removal of coverings, such as drywall and paneling to gain access.

Question 50

Warehouse Building

Answer 50

A large building, normally constructed with ordinary, fire resistive or non-combustible components that is utilized to store raw materials or manufactured goods.

Question 51

Well-Hole

Answer 51

An open area, in the center of a stairwell, normally found in buildings that are four stories and taller.

Question 52

Wood Frame Construction

Answer 52

Wood frame construction is defined by NFPA as all structural elements, such as walls, floors, roof, arches, which are constructed entirely or partially of wood.