Promotional Engineer SOP & Fire Operations Study Guide

Comprehensive set of 100 vocabulary flashcards for promotional engineer exam preparation, based directly on SOPs, contract guidelines, and fire hydraulics theory.

Tactical Objectives of Command

The core goals on scene: remove endangered occupants, stabilize the incident and provide for life safety, conserve property, and provide for ongoing safe accountability and welfare of personnel.

Strategic Level Command

The incident command level that provides the overall direction of the incident.

Coordination Level Command

The command level consisting of Branch officers positioned between strategic and tactical levels.

Tactical Level Command

The command level consisting of Division or Group officers directing activities toward specific objectives and managing company resources.

Task Level Command

The command level managed by Company officers where work is actually performed, including single resources, task forces, and strike teams.

Task Force

Any combination of single resources assembled for a temporary assignment to perform group functions.

Strike Force

A set number of resources of the same kind and type assembled for operational deployment.

FLOP

Acronym for the four primary Incident Command sections: Finance, Logistics, Operations, and Planning.

Finance Section

The command section responsible for evaluating and managing risk and financial requirements of an incident.

Logistics Section

The support mechanism responsible for providing facilities, services, and materials, and generally the first section staffed as REHAB.

Operations Section

The command section responsible for tactical priorities and the safety/welfare of personnel working in operations.

Planning Section

The command section responsible for gathering, analyzing, and processing info needed for effective decision-making and identifying resource needs in advance.

Divisions

Tactical operational assignments designated by their geographical location.

Groups

Tactical functional assignments designated by their specific function or task.

Fast-Moving Operations Span of Control

An indicated span of control of no more than $5$ divisions or groups.

Engine Company Functions

Search, rescue, treatment, stretch hose line, operate nozzle, and loss control; does NOT vent or force entry.

Ladder Company Functions

Search, rescue, treatment, ventilation, forcible entry, raise ladders, provide access, and check for fire extension.

Rescue Company Functions

Search, rescue, treatment of sick/injured, serving as RIT team, and general firefighting duties as assigned by command.

Level One Staging

Staging automatically in effect for first alarm assignments where the 1st engine and ladder go directly to scene, while other units stage uncommitted approximately one block away in direction of travel.

Level Two Staging

Staging utilized for greater alarms or complex calls requiring centralized reserve resources, automatically placing a Staging Officer in charge at a designated central location.

First Alarm Assignment

A response consisting of $3$ engines, $1$ ladder, $1$ rescue, and $1$ Battalion Chief.

Second Alarm Assignment

An additional response consisting of $2$ engines added to the first alarm response.

Third Alarm Assignment

An additional response consisting of $2$ engines and $1$ Battalion Chief added to previous responses.

Automatic 2nd Alarm

Triggered automatically by a working fire in a large commercial structure.

Automatic 3rd Alarm

Triggered automatically by a working high rise building fire.

Working Fire

Term indicating the commitment of all responding companies to tactical activities on scene for an extended time in excess of $30\,\text{min}$.

Cascade System Max Operating Pressure

A breathing air system capable of generating air pressures of up to $5000\,\text{psi}$.

Cascade Cylinder Fill Rate

A regulated rate of $4\,\text{min}$ per cylinder for a standard $30\,\text{min}$ cylinder.

Hot Zone (Exclusionary / Red Zone)

Any area requiring SCBA, charged hose line, PPE, or where FFs are at risk of being trapped/injured; requires a minimum crew of $2$.

Warm Zone (Yellow / Limited Access Zone)

Area just outside the hot zone where personnel start operations and are not immediately at risk; contains forward engine, utilities, and safety accountability officers.

Cold Zone (Green / Support Zone)

Area outside the warm zone where no operational risk exists and support functions like Command Post, Staging, and REHAB operate.

Roof Ladder Extension

Extending a ladder $2'$ to $3'$ above the roof line to provide operating roof crews with a visible means of egress.

Unprotected Steel Expansion Rate

A $100'$ section of unprotected steel expands $9''$ when heated to $1000^\circ\text{F}$.

Evacuation Order Signal

Signaled on scene by $3$ separate $5$-second horn blasts.

High Rise Perimeter Hazard Area

A high hazard area established approximately $200'$ from the building to protect from falling glass and debris.

Emergency Response Speed Limit

Apparatus may exceed posted speed limit by no more than $10\,\text{mph}$; ladder and tanker trucks shall not exceed the speed limit at any time.

Backing Spotter Location

Positioned off the left rear corner of the apparatus.

Apparatus Positioning Distance

Apparatus should generally be positioned at least $30'$ away from structures, even with nothing showing.

Primary Passport Tag

White passport tag located on the company officer's radio.

Back-up Passport Tag

Green passport tag located inside the engine.

Reserve Passport Tag

Red passport tag located in the command vehicle.

Less Experienced Personnel

Probationary Fire Rescue personnel or any member with less than $2$\ years total experience.

Downstream

The direction that traffic is moving as it travels away from the incident scene.

Upstream

The direction that traffic is traveling from as vehicles approach the incident scene.

Traffic Cone Spacing

Traffic cones placed at $15'$ intervals upstream ending $75'$ upstream (doubled to $30'$ / $150'$ for limited access highways).

Lockout

Securing power or machinery by physically locking control switches or valves.

Tagout

Securing power or machinery by attaching a warning tag to or near control switches or valves.

Mandatory Rehab Work Limit

Recommended standard of $2$\ air bottles or $45\,\text{min}$ of work time prior to mandatory rehab.

After Action Review (AAR) Max Duration

Post-incident review sessions should be limited to a maximum duration of $1.5\,\text{hours}$.

High Rise Resource Area Location

Normally established $2$\ floors below the fire floor (or a safe location below the fire) acting as forward staging.

Basic Tactical Priorities

Rescue (primary search complete), Fire Control (under control), and Loss Control (loss stopped).

Seven Sides of a Division

Front, rear, right side, left side, top, bottom, and interior.

Defensive Operations First Priority

Personal safety, followed by protecting exposures, and then knocking down the main body of fire.

Vehicle Fire Minimum Hose Line

A minimum hose line diameter of $1.75''$.

Landing Zone (LZ) Dimensions

A relatively flat surface free of obstructions with dimensions of at least $100' \times 100'$.

Landing Zone Separation Distances

LZ positioned at least $300'$ from other activities, with waiting patients staged at least $150'$ away.

Minimum Engine Supply Hose

Each engine carries a minimum of $1500'$ of supply hose.

High Rise Building Definition

Any building or structure higher than $2$\ stories or buildings that cannot be accessed with a $24'$ ground ladder.

Light Fuels

Mostly grasses; the most common wildland fuel, which burns and spreads most rapidly.

Heavy Fuels

Fuels larger than a thumb in diameter; burns the fastest and spreads the slowest in wildland fires.

Bomb Threat Staging Distance

Giving on-scene initial radio reports at a minimum distance of $\frac{1}{4}\,\text{mile}$ away from scene.

Africanized Honey Bee Staging Distance

Staging distance of approximately $\frac{1}{2}\,\text{mile}$ due to hive threats perceived up to $\frac{1}{4}\,\text{mile}$ ($1320'$).

Category 1 Hurricane

Sustained hurricane winds of $74\text{--}95\,\text{mph}$.

Category 5 Hurricane

Sustained hurricane winds greater than $155\,\text{mph}$.

Hurricane Watch

Expectation of sustained winds of $74\,\text{mph}$ or higher expected within $36\,\text{hours}$.

Hurricane Warning

Expectation of sustained winds of $74\,\text{mph}$ or higher expected within $24\,\text{hours}$ or less.

Safe Haven Law

Allows parents to leave unharmed newborns approximately $7$\ days old or less at a fire station without criminal liability.

Blown-In Insulation Rekindle Time

Documented potential to rekindle up to $72\,\text{hours}$ after a fire has been declared out.

Level 1 Fire Watch

A scheduled drive-by/walk-through approximately $1\,\text{hour}$ after the last company leaves and again approximately $2\,\text{hours}$ later.

Standard Fire Pumper Minimum Specifications

Minimum pump capacity of $750\,\text{GPM}$ and a water tank of at least $300\,\text{gal}$.

Mobile Water Supply Tank Minimum Capacity

A water tender or tanker required to carry a minimum of $1000\,\text{gal}$.

Steering Wheel Play Limit

Free play limit of no more than approximately $10^\circ$ in either direction (about $2''$ of play on a $20''$ wheel).

Curb Weight

Weight of apparatus fresh off assembly line with no tools, equipment, water, or passengers.

Angle of Approach

Angle formed by level ground and a line from the front tire contact point to the lowest projection at the front of the apparatus.

Angle of Departure

Angle formed by level ground and a line from the rear tire contact point to the lowest projection at the rear of the apparatus.

Apparatus Response Following Distance

Multiple apparatus responding along the same route should travel at least $300'$ to $500'$ apart.

Visual Lead Time

The time needed to stop the apparatus or perform an evasive maneuver at current traveling speed.

Braking Distance

Distance the vehicle travels from the time brakes are applied until the apparatus comes to a complete stop.

Total Stopping Distance

Sum of the driver's reaction distance and the vehicle's braking distance.

Collapse Zone Radius

Clearance zone established around a structure equal to $1.5 \times$ the building height.

Drafting

The process of acquiring water from a static source and transferring it to a pump above the source level.

Dual Pumping

Operation where a strong hydrant supplies two pumpers by connecting pumper to pumper (hydrant to pumper to pumper).

Tandem Pumping

Short relay operation where a pumper at the water source pumps into the intake of a second pumper to boost pressure higher.

Weight of Water

Ordinary fresh water weighs $62.4\,\text{lbs/ft}^3$ or $8.3\,\text{lbs/gal}$.

Steam Expansion Ratio

Water converted to steam at $212^\circ\text{F}$ expands approximately $1700$\ times its original volume.

Atmospheric Pressure at Sea Level

Standard pressure calculated as $14.7\,\text{psi}$ at sea level.

Head Pressure Conversion

To convert head in feet to head pressure in psi, divide the number of feet by $2.304$.

Static Pressure

Stored potential energy available to force water through pipes, fittings, hose, and adapters when water is at rest.

Residual Pressure

Portion of total available pressure remaining when water is flowing to overcome friction loss and gravity.

Flow Pressure (Velocity Pressure)

The forward velocity pressure exerted while water is actively flowing from a discharge opening.

Critical Velocity

Agitation and resistance in fluid flow caused by a high degree of turbulence inside hose or pipe.

Water Hammer

Force created by rapid deceleration of water flow causing a violent increase in pressure.

Post Indicator Valve (PIV)

Hollow metal post with internal threaded stem displaying 'OPEN' or 'SHUT' through a target window.

Outside Screw and Yoke (OS&Y) Valve

Indicating valve with an external threaded stem exposed when open and hidden inside yoke when closed.

Net Pump Discharge Pressure

Actual pressure produced by the pump, calculated as the difference between intake pressure and discharge pressure.

Centrifugal Pump

Non-positive displacement pump relying on centrifugal force of a rapidly revolving impeller to convert velocity to pressure.

Cavitation

Condition where vacuum pockets form in localized low-pressure regions at impeller vanes, causing vibration, efficiency loss, and damage.

Dependable Lift

Height a column of water can be raised to provide a reliable fire flow, recommended at no greater than $20'$.

Class A Foam

Foam containing hydrocarbon surfactants that lower water surface tension to allow better penetration into ordinary combustibles.

Class B Foam

Foam formulated to suppress fires and vapors involving flammable/combustible liquids like hydrocarbons and polar solvents.