Branch
A supervisory level established to manage the span of control above the division or group level; usually applied to operations or logistics functions.
Branch director
The officer in charge of all resources operating within a specified branch, who is responsible to the next higher level in the incident organization (either a section chief or the incident commander).
Command
The first component of the ICS. It is the only position in the ICS that must always be staffed.
Command staff
Staff positions established to assume responsibility for key activities in the incident command system; individuals at this level report directly to incident command. Members include the safety officer, public information officer, and liaison officer.
Crew
An organized group of fire fighters under the leadership of a company officer, crew leader, or other designated official.
Designated incident facilities
Assigned locations where specific functions are always performed.
Division
An organizational level within ICS that divides an incident into geographic areas of operational responsibility.
Division supervisor
The officer in charge of all resources operating within a specified division. This individual is responsible to the next higher level in the incident organization and acts as the point of contact for the division within the organization.
Finance/Administration Section
The command-level section of ICS responsible for all costs and financial aspects of the incident, as well as any legal issues that arise.
Fire-ground command (FGC)
An incident management system developed in the 1970s for day-to-day fire department incidents (generally handled with fewer than 25 units or companies).
FIRESCOPE
An organization of agencies established in the early 1970s to develop a standardized system for managing fire resources at large-scale incidents such as wildland fires.
Group
An organization level within ICS that divides an incident according to functional areas of operation.
Group supervisor
The officer in charge of all resources operating within a specified group. This individual is responsible to the next higher level in the incident organization and acts as the point of contact for the group within the organization.
ICS general staff
The chiefs of each of the four major sections of ICS: Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration.
Incident action plan (IAP)
The objectives for the overall incident strategy, tactics, risk management, and member safety that are developed by Command. Incident action plans are updated throughout the incident.
Incident command post
The location at the scene of an emergency where incident command is located and where command, coordination, control, and communications are centralized.
Incident command system (ICS)
The combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications under a standard organizational structure to manage assigned resources effectively to accomplish stated objectives for an incident.
Integrated communications
The ability of all appropriate personnel at the emergency scene to communicate with their supervisor and their subordinates.
Liaison officer
The position within ICS that establishes a point of contact with outside agency representatives.
Logistics Section
The section within ICS responsible for providing facilities, services, and materials for the incident.
Logistics Section chief
The general staff position responsible for directing the logistics function. It is generally assigned on complex, resource-intensive, or long-duration incidents.
National Incident Management System (NIMS)
A Department of Homeland Security system designed to enable federal, state, and local governments and private-sector and nongovernmental organizations to effectively and efficiently prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents, re
Operations Section
The section within ICS responsible for all tactical operations at the incident.
Operations Section Chief
The general staff position responsible for managing all operations activities. It is usually assigned when complex incidents involve more than 20 single resources or when Command cannot be involved in the details of tactical operations.
Passing command
Option that can be used by the first-arriving company officer to direct the next arriving unit to assume command.
Planning Section
The section within ICS responsible for the collection, evaluation, and dissemination of tactical information related to the incident and for preparation and documentation of incident management plans.
Planning Section chief
The general staff position responsible for planning functions. It is assigned when Command needs assistance in managing information.
Public information officer
The position within ICS responsible for planning functions; assigned when Command needs assistance in managing information.
Resource management
A standard system of assigning and keeping track of the resources involved in the incident.
Safety officer
The position within ICS responsible for identifying and evaluating hazardous or unsafe conditions at the scene of an incident. They have the authority to stop any activity that is deemed unsafe.
Single Command
The Command structure in which a single individual is responsible for all of the strategic objectives of the incident. Typically used when an incident is within a single jurisdiction and is managed by a single discipline.
Single resource
An individual vehicle and the personnel that arrive on that unit.
Staging area
A prearranged, strategically placed area where support personnel, vehicles, and other equipment can be held in an organized state of readiness for use during an emergency.
Strike team
Five units of the same resource category, such as engines or ambulances, with a leader.
Strike team leader
The person in charge of a strike team. This individual is responsible to the next higher level in the incident organization and serves as the point of contact for the strike team within the organization.
Task force
Any combination of single resources assembled for a particular tactical need; it has common communications and a leader.
Task force leader
The person in charge of a task force. This individual is responsible to the next higher level in the incident organization and serves as the point of contact for the task force within the organization.
Transfer of command
Reassignment of command authority and responsibility from one individual to another.
Unified command
An ICS option that allows representatives from multiple jurisdictions and/or agencies to share command authority and responsibility, working together as a "joint" incident command team.
Activity logging system
A device that keeps a detailed record of every incident and activity that occurs.
Automatic location identification (ALI)
An enhanced 9-1-1 service feature that displays where the call originated or where the phone service is billed.
Automatic number identification (ANI)
An enhanced 9-1-1 service feature that shows the calling party's phone number on the display screen at the telecommunicator's terminal.
Base station
Radios that are permanently mounted in a building, such as a fire station, communications center, or remote transmitter site.
Call box
A system of telephones connected by phone lines, radio equipment, or cellular technology to communicate with a communications center or fire department.
Communications center
A facility that receives emergency or nonemergency reports from citizens. Many are also responsible for dispatching fire department units.
Computer-aided dispatch (CAD)
A computer-based, automated system used by telecommunicators to obtain and assess dispatch information. The system recommends the type of response required.
Direct-line
A telephone that connects two predetermined points.
Dispatch
A summons to fire department units to respond to an emergency. Also known as alerting, it is performed by the telecommunicator at the communications center.
Duplex channel
A radio system that uses two frequencies per channel. One frequency transmits and the other receives messages. The system uses a repeater site to transmit messages over a greater distance than is possible with a simplex system.
Emergency traffic
An urgent message, such as a call for help or evacuation, transmitted over a radio that takes precedence over all normal radio traffic.
Evacuation signal
A warning to all personnel to pull back to a safe location.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The federal regulatory authority that oversees radio communications in the United States.
Mayday
A code indicating that a fire fighter is lost, missing, or requires immediate assistance.
Mobile data terminal
Technology that allows fire fighters to receive information in the apparatus or at the station.
Mobile radio
A two-way radio that is permanently mounted in a fire apparatus.
National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS)
A system used by fire departments to report and maintain computerized records of fires and other fire department incidents in a uniform manner.
Portable radio
A battery-operated, hand-held transceiver.
Public safety answering point (PSAP)
The community's emergency response communications center.
Radio repeater system
A radio system that automatically retransmits a radio signal on a different frequency.
Run cards
Cards used to determine a predetermined response to an emergency.
Simplex channel
A radio system that uses one frequency to transmit and receive all messages.
Squelch
An electric circuit designed to cut off weak radio transmissions that are only capable of generating noise.
Talk-around channel
A simplex channel used for on-site communications
TDD/TTY/text phone system
User devices that allow speech- and/or hearing-impaired citizens to communicate over a telephone system. The displayed text is the equivalent of a verbal conversation between two hearing persons.
Telecommunicator
A trained individual who is responsible for answering requests for emergency and nonemergency assistance from citizens. This individual assesses the need for a response and alerts responders to the incident.
Telephone interrogation
The phase in a 9-1-1 call during which the telecommunicator asks questions to obtain vital information such as the location of the emergency.
Ten-codes
A system of predetermined coded messages, such as "What is your 10-20?", used by responders over the radio.
Time marks
Status updates provided to the communications center every 10 to 20 minutes. Such an update should include the type of operation, the progress of the incident, the anticipated actions, and the need for additional resources.
Trunking system
A radio system that uses a shared bank of frequencies to make the most efficient use of radio resources.
Voice recording system
Recording devices or computer equipment connected to telephone lines and radio equipment in a communications center to record telephone calls and radio traffic.
Ammonium phosphate
An extinguishing agent used in dry chemical fire extinguishers that can be used on Class A, B, and C fires.
Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)
A water-based extinguishing agent used on Class B fires that forms a foam layer over the liquid and stops the production of flammable vapors
Carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguisher
A fire extinguisher that uses carbon dioxide gas as the extinguishing agent.
Cartridge/cylinder fire extinguisher
A fire extinguisher that has the expellant gas in a separate container from the extinguishing agent storage container. The storage container is pressurized by a mechanical action that releases the expellant gas.
Class A fires
Fires involving ordinary combustible materials such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plastics.
Class B fires
Fires involving flammable and combustible liquids, oils, greases, tars, oil-based paints, lacquers, and flammable gases.
Class C fires
Fires involving energized electrical equipment where the electrical conductivity of the extinguishing media is of importance.
Class D fires
Fires involving combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, and potassium.
Class K fires
Fires involving combustible cooking media such as vegetable oils, animal oils, and fats.
Clean agent
A volatile or gaseous fire extinguishing agent that does not leave a residue when it evaporates. Also known as a halogenated agent.
Cylinder (fire extinguisher)
The body of the fire extinguisher where the extinguishing agent is stored.
Dry chemical fire extinguisher
An extinguisher that uses a mixture of finely divided solid particles to extinguish fires. The agent is usually sodium bicarbonate-, potassium bicarbonate-, or ammonium phosphate-based, with additives being included to provide resistance to packing and mo
Dry powder extinguishing agent
An extinguishing agent used in putting out Class D fires. The common dry powder extinguishing agents include sodium chloride and graphite-based powders.
Dry powder fire extinguisher
A fire extinguisher that uses an extinguishing agent in powder or granular form. It is designed to extinguish Class D combustible-metal fires by crusting, smothering, or heat-transferring means.
Extinguishing agent
A material used to stop the combustion process. These may include liquids, gases, dry chemical compounds, and dry powder compounds.
Extra (or high) hazard locations
Occupancies where the total amounts of Class A combustibles and Class B flammables are greater than expected in occupancies classed as ordinary (moderate) hazard.
Film-forming fluoroprotein (FFFP) foam
A water-based extinguishing agent used on Class B fires that forms a foam layer over the liquid and stops the production of flammable vapors.
Fire load
The weight of combustibles in a fire area or on a floor in buildings and structures, including either the contents or the building parts, or both.
Halogenated extinguishing agent
A liquefied gas extinguishing agent that puts out fires by chemically interrupting the combustion reaction between the fuel and oxygen.
Halogenated-agent fire extinguisher
An extinguisher that uses a halogenated extinguishing agent.
Halon 1211
Bromochlorodifluoromethane (CBrClF2), a halogenated agent that is effective on Class A, B, and C fires
Handle
The grip used for holding and carrying a portable fire extinguisher
Horn
The tapered discharge nozzle of a carbon dioxide-type fire extinguisher.
Hydrostatic testing
Periodic certification testing performed on pressurized vessels, including SCBA cylinders.
Ignition point
The minimum temperature at which a substance will burn.
Incipient
The initial stage of a fire.
Light (or low) hazard locations
Occupancies where the total amount of combustible materials is less than expected in an ordinary hazard location.
Loaded-stream fire extinguisher
A water-based fire extinguisher that uses an alkali metal salt as a freezing-point depressant.
Lob
A method of discharging an extinguishing agent in an arc to avoid splashing or spreading the burning fuel.
Locking mechanism
A standard doorknob lock, deadbolt lock, or sliding latch.
Multipurpose dry chemical fire extinguisher
A fire extinguisher rated to fight Class A, B, and C fires.
Nozzle
The discharge orifice of a portable fire extinguisher.
Ordinary (or moderate) hazard locations
Occupancies that contain more Class A and Class B materials than are found in light hazard locations.
PASS
Acronym used for operating a portable fire extinguisher: Pull pin, Aim nozzle, Squeeze trigger, Sweep across burning fuel.
Polar solvent
A water-soluble flammable liquid such as alcohol, acetone, ester, and ketone.
Pressure indicator
A gauge on a pressurized portable fire extinguisher that indicates the internal pressure of the expellant.
Pump tank fire extinguisher
A nonpressurized, manually operated water extinguisher, which usually has a nozzle at the end of a short hose.
Pump tank water-type fire extinguisher
A nonpressurized, portable water-based fire extinguisher. Discharge pressure is provided by a hand-operated, double-acting piston pump
Rapid oxidation
A chemical process that occurs when a fuel is combined with oxygen, resulting in the formation of ash or other waste products and the release of energy as heat and light.
Saponification
The process of converting the fatty acids in cooking oils or fats to soap or foam.
Self-expelling
A fire extinguisher in which the agents have sufficient vapor pressure at normal operating temperatures to expel themselves.
Stored-pressure fire extinguisher
A fire extinguisher in which both the extinguishing agent and the expellant gas are kept in a single container; it is generally equipped with a pressure indicator or gauge.
Stored-pressure water-type fire extinguisher
A fire extinguisher in which water or a water-based extinguishing agent is stored under pressure
Tamper seal
A retaining device that breaks when the locking mechanism is released
Trigger
The button or lever used to discharge the agent from a portable fire extinguisher.
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL)
The U.S. organization that tests and certifies that fire extinguishers (among many other products) meet established standards.
Wet chemical extinguishing agent
An extinguishing agent for Class K fires. It commonly consists of solutions of water and potassium acetate, potassium carbonate, potassium citrate, or any combination thereof.
Wet chemical fire extinguisher
A fire extinguisher for use on Class K fires that contains a wet chemical extinguishing agent.
Wetting-agent water-type fire extinguisher
An extinguisher that expels water combined with a chemical or chemicals to reduce its surface tension.
Wheeled fire extinguisher
A portable fire extinguisher equipped with a carriage and wheels that is intended to be transported to the fire by one person.
Balloon-frame construction
An older type or wood frame construction in which the wall studs extend vertically from the basement of a structure to the roof without any fire stops.
Defensive attack
Exterior fire suppresion operations directed at protecting exposures
Exposure
Any person or property that may be endagered by flames, smoke, gases, heat, or runoff from fire.
Extension
Fire that moves into areas not originally involved, including walls, ceilings, and attic spaces; also, the movement of fire into uninvolved areas of a structure.
Freelancing
The dangerous practice of acting independently of command instructions.
Offensive attack
An advance into the fire building by fire fighters with hose lines or other extinguishing agents that is intended to overpower the fire.
Overhaul
The process of examining all areas of the building and contents involved in a fire to ensure that the fire is completely extinguished.
Personal alert safety system (PASS)
A device worn by a fire fighter that sounds an alarm if the fire fighter is motionless for a period of time.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Gear worn by fire fighters that includes the helmet, gloves, hood, coat, pants, SCBA, and boots. This provides a thermal barrier that protects fire fighters against intense heat.
Personnel accountability system
A method of tracking the identity, assignment, and location of fire fighters operating at an incident scene.
Personnel accountability tag (PAT)
An identification card used to track the location of a fire fighter on an emergency incident.
Preincident plan
A written document resulting from the gathering of general and detailed information to be used by public emergency response agencies and private industry for determining the response to reasonable anticipated emergency incidents at a specific facility.
Reconnaissance report
The inspection and exploration of a specific area for the purpose of gathering information for the incident commander.
Rekindle
A situation in which a fire that was thought to be completely extinguished reignites.
Response
Activities that occur in preparation for an emergency and continue until the arrival of emergency apparatus at the scene.
Salvage
The removal or protection of property that could be damaged during firefighting or overhaul operations.
Seat of the fire
The main area of the fire.
Size-up
The ongoing observation and evaluation of factors that are used to develop objectives, strategy, and tactics for fire suppression.
Thermal imaging devices
Electronic devices that detect differences in temperature based on infrared energy and then -generate images based on those data. These devices are commonly used in obscured environments to locate victims
NFPA 1500
Standard on fire department occupational safety and health programs.
Consensus document
A code document developed through agreement between people representing different organizations and interests. NFPA codes and standards are concensus documents.
Discipline
The guidelines that a department sets for fire fighters to work within.
Division of Labor
Breaking down an incident or task into a series of smaller, more managable tasks and assigning personnel to complete those tasks.
Doff
To take off an item of clothing or equipment.
Don
To put on an item of clothing or equipment.
Driver Operator
Often called an engineer, this person operates the fire apparatus. Is responsible for getting the apparatus safely to the scene, setting up, and operating the apparatus on scene.
EMS Company
A company that may be made up of medical units and first responding vehicles. Members of this company respond to and assist in the transport of medical and trauma victims to medical facilities. They often have medications, defibrillators, and paramedics w
EMS Personnel
Personnel who are responsible for administering prehospital care to people who are sick and injured. Prehospital calls make up the majority of responses in most fire departments.
Emt Basic
EMS Personnel who account for most of the ems providers in the United States. Have training in basic emergency care skills, including oxygen therapy, bleeding control, CPR, automated external defibrillation, use of basic airway devices, and assisting pati
EMT Intermediate
EMS Personnel who can perform limited procedures that usually fall between those provided by and EMT Basic and an EMT Paramedic, Including IV therapy, interpretation of cardiac rhythems, defibrillation, and airway intubation.
EMT Paramedic
EMS Personnel with the highest level of training in EMS, including cardiac monitoring, administering drugs, inserting advanced airways, manual defibrillation, and other advanced assessment and treatment skills.
Engine Company
Fire companies that are responsible for securing a water source, deploying hose lines, conducting search and rescue operations, and putting water on the fire.
Fire and Life Safety Education Specialist
A member of the fire department who deals with the public on education, fire safety, and juvenile fire safety programs.
Fire Apparatus Maintenance Personnel
The people who repair and service the fire and EMS vehicles so that they are always ready to respond to emergencies.
Fire fighter
A member of the fire department who is tasked with anything from placing hose lines to extinguishing fires. Generally is not responsible for any command functions or supervising other personnel.
Fire Hook
A tool used to pull down burning structures.
Fire Mark
Historically, an identifying symbol on a building to let fire fighters know that the building was insured by a fire company that would pay them for extinguishing the fire.
Fire Marshal
Also call inspector or investigator. A member of the fire department who inspects businesses and enforces laws that deal with public safety and fire codes. A fire investigator may also respond to fire scenes to help incident commanders investigate the cau
Fireplug
A valve installed to control water accessed from wooden pipes.
Fire Police
Members of the fire department who protect fire fighters by controlling traffic and securing the scene from public access. Many are sworn peace officers as well as fire fighters.
Fire Protection Engineer
A member of the fire department who is responsible for reviewing plans and working with building systems for fire detection and suppression will meet code and function as needed.
Fire Warden
Individuals who were charged with enforcing fire regulations in colonial America.
Governance
The process by which an organzation exercises authority and performs the functions assigned to it.
Hazardous Materials Company
A fire company that responds to and controls scenes where hazardous materials have spilled or leaked. Responders wear special suits and are trained to deal with most chemicals.
Hazardous Materials Technician
A fire fighter who has received training in chemical identification, leak control, decontamination, and clean-up procedures.
Incident commander
The person in charge of the incident site who is responsible for all decisions relating to the management.
Incident Command System
The combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications under a standard organizational structure to manage assigned resources effectively and accomplish stated objectives for an incident.
Information Management
Firefighters or civilians who take care of the computer and networking systems that a fire department needs to operate.
Lieutenant
A company officer who is usually responsible for a single fire company on a single shift, the first in the line amoung company officers.
Policies
Formal statements that provide guidelines for present and future actions. Policies often require personnel to make judgements.
Public Information Officer
The position within ICS responsible for planning functions, assigned when command needs assistance in managing information.
Regulations
Rules, usually issued by a government or other legally authorized agency, that dictate how something must be done. Regulations are often developed to implement a law.
Captain
The second rank in promotion, between the lieutenant and the battalion chief. Responsible for managing a fire company and for coordinating the activities of that company amoung the other shifts.
NFPA 1001
Standard for fire fighter professional qualifications
Span of Control
Number of people whom one person can supervise effectively
Paramilitary
The style of leadership that the fire department uses.
Ladder companies
Another term for truck company
Aircraft Rescue Firefighter
The firefighter who recieves specialized training in aircraft fires, extrication of victims on aircraft, and extinguishing agents.
Unity of command
What principle says each fire fighter answers to only one supervisor?
George Washington
Who developed the first fire plug (hydrant).
Standard operating Procedures
Developed to provide specific information on the actions that should be taken to accomplish a certain task.
Hoist
A FF1 responsibility is to _____ hand tools using appropriate ropes and knots.
Company Officer
Usually a lieutenant or captain who is in charge of an apparatus. This person leads the company both on scene and in the station. Is responsible for initial firefighting strategy, personnel safety, and the overall activities of the firefighters on their a
Safety Officer
Watches the overall operation for unsafe practices. Has the authority to halt any firefighting activity, allowing the activity to resume only when it can be done safely and correctly.
Training Officer
Responsible for updating the training of current fire fighters and for training new firefighters. Must be aware of the most current techniques of firefighting and EMS.
Technical Rescue Technician
Technicians are trained in special rescue techniques for incidents involving structural collapse, trench rescue, swiftwater rescue, high angle rescue, and other unusual situations.
Battalion Chief
Responsible for coordinating the activities of several fire companies in a defined geographical area such as a station or a district. Directly reported to by Captains.
NFPA
National Fire Protection Agency
Thermal Imaging Device
high-tech devices that use infrared technology to find objects giving off a heat signature.
911 dispatcher
Also called a telecommunicator. From the communications center, takes calls from the public, sends appropriate units to the scene, assists caller with treatment instructions until the EMS unit arrives, and assists the incident commander with needed resour
Assistant Chief
Also called division chief. A mid-level chief who oftn has a functional area of responsibility, such as training, and who answers directly to the fire chief.
Banked
Covering a fire to ensure low burning
Chain of Command
A rank structure, spanning the fire fighter through the fire chief, for managing a fire department and fire ground operations.
Chief
The top position in the fire department. Has ultimate responsibility for the fire department and usually answers directly to the mayor or other designated public official.
Chiefs Trumpet
An obsolete amplification device that once enabled a chief to give orders to fire fighters durring an emergency. It was a precursor to the bull horn and portable radios.
Public Information Officer
Which officer serves as a liason betwen the incident commander and the news media.
Assitant Chief
What position ranks between Chief and Battalion Chief?
NFPA 1001
Which NFPA standard specifies training and performance qualifications for firefighters?
Incident Commander
The individual who is responsible for the management of all incident operations is
30,000
Approximately how many fire departments are there in the United States?
Ben Franklin
Who led the first volunteer fire department in the United States?
Tax dollars
Where does the greatest majority of the funding for fire departments come from?
Inspect businesses and enforce fire code
What do fire marshals do?
Medical
What does the M stand for in EMT?
Boston
Where was the first paid fire department established in the United States?
The Great Chicago Fire
What major 1871 American event had a profound effect on the fire service and fire codes?
The Peshtigo Fire in Wisconsin
What was the deadliest fire in United States history prior to the 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center?
Pass Device
What other piece of equipment must be worn with structural firefighting PPE and SCBA?
Passports
The term for the small magnetic board carried by company officers as part of the personnel accountability system.
Never
When is freelancing acceptable on the training ground?
Mayday
What radio message is appropriate if a firefighter on the fireground is discovered to be in heat stroke?
Prior to mounting the apparatus
Following notification of an emergency response, when should firefighters don personal protective equipment?
NFPA 1971
What NFPA Standard on protective ensembles for structural and proximity firefighting?
As soon as possible
How soon after a traumatic call should CISD be held?
8-10 ounces
Firefighters should drink how much water for ever 5 to 10 minutes of physical exertion?
If motionless for a set period of time
A Pass device can be set off manually or will go off automatically under what circumstances?
Nomex
What is one flame-resistant material?
To conserve air
What is the purpose of skip breathing?
NFPA 1981
What is the NFPA standard of open-circuit self-contained breathing apparatus?
Every square inch
How much of the body is stuctural firefighting PPE designed to cover?
All traffic laws
What traffic laws if any are fire fighters responding in emergency vehicles obligated to obey?
Heart attack
What is the leading cause of fire fighter deaths on the fire ground?
Stretching
An ideal exercise routine includes weight training, cardiovascular exercise and?
It causes a reduction in efficiency
What effect, if any, does smoking have on the respiratory systems of fire fighters?
The legs
What part of the body should be used for a heavy lift?
To take off
In the context of clothing, what does the word "doff" mean, exactly?
Nomex
According to NFPA 1975, which of the following is safe to wear under turnout gear? Nylon, Polyester, Nomex, Cotton/Polyester blend
None
What odor does carbon monoxide have, if any?
None other
What other application, if any, is structural firefighting PPE designed for?
To put on
In the context of clothing, what does the often-used word "don" mean, exactly?
21
What is the normal atmospheric percentage of oxygen in air?