Chapter 10: Structural Search & Rescue (Test Study Questions)

For firefighters, the environment may remain tenable as long as: a. heat levels and duration of the interior operations stay within acceptable limits for the PPE and SCBA provided. b. they are wearing PPE and SCBA. c. the IC determines it is safe to remain inside. d. they are wearing the highest levels of PPE and SCBA designated for rescue operations.

a. heat levels and duration of the interior operations stay within acceptable limits for the PPE and SCBA provided.

The AHJ should establish action levels that describe how firefighters should respond to high- or low-level alarms while performing: a. ventilation. b. air monitoring. c. forcible entry. d. MAYDAY training.

b. air monitoring.

Which acronym describes the mandatory tools carried by a rapid intervention crew? a. AWARE - Air, Water, A Radio, Extrication b. AWAKE - Air, Water, Axe, K-tool, Extrication c. PATH - PPE, Axe, Thermal imager, Flashlight d. PART - PPE, Air monitoring equipment, Radio, Thermal imager

a. AWARE - Air, Water, A Radio, Extrication

Which of the following actions should be taken immediately when MAYDAY is broadcast? a. All radio traffic ceases and only traffic relating to the MAYDAY is allowed. b. All assigned units are directed to assist with searching for the firefighter who has broadcast the MAYDAY. c. Personnel near the downed firefighter should proceed to assist with rescue. d. The MAYDAY crew is dispatched to locate the downed firefighter.

a. All radio traffic ceases and only traffic relating to the MAYDAY is allowed.

Which type of carry or drag is commonly used for children, but is not practical for unconscious adults? a. Cradle-in-arms lift/carry b. Extremities lift/carry c. Incline drag d. Webbing drag

a. Cradle-in-arms lift/carry

One limitation of thermal imagers is that: a. If a structure is carpeted, they may not be able to detect fire on the floors below. b. there are no fixed standards for interpretation of data. c. they may not be able to help improve visibility in an obscured environment. d. they have a fairly long instrument response time.

a. If a structure is carpeted, they may not be able to detect fire on the floors below.

Which is an accurate statement about using an air-monitoring device? a. If devices are used incorrectly, the safety of everyone around can be in jeopardy. b. Air-monitoring devices can only measure one type of gas, so multiple varieties are needed at each incident. c. Only one type of air-monitoring device should be used at an incident. d. Air-monitoring devices must be used under the supervision of a company officer.

a. If devices are used incorrectly, the safety of everyone around can be in jeopardy.

When should you check your SCBA gauge to see how much air you have left? a. When the assigned area is reached b. Every two minutes c. Every time a new area or room is reached d. Within 30 seconds of entering an IDLH atmosphere

a. When the assigned area is reached

A MAYDAY is called when: a. a firefighter is in immediate danger. b. there is a partial roof collapse. c. unconscious victims are located. d. hazardous materials are found in a structure.

a. a firefighter is in immediate danger.

When you are seeking to escape and you locate a window, you should: a. ask Command if opening the window will make interior conditions worse. b. use an escape rope to descend from the window. c. break the glass and lower yourself to the ground head first. d. break the window glass using heavy furniture in the room.

a. ask Command if opening the window will make interior conditions worse.

You should leave the hazard zone: a. at the same time as your team. b. when you reach 50% air consumption. c. if a PASS alarm is activated. d. once all victims have been rescued.

a. at the same time as your team.

A tracking device set to search mode: a. displays the distance and direction toward another receiver. b. is only activated when a PASS device fails. c. will not transmit a signal through walls, floors, or other solid objects. d. makes noise to alert rescuers to the downed firefighter's location.

a. displays the distance and direction toward another receiver.

In order to conduct an effective search operation, firefighters must know the: a. layout or floor plan of the building. b. location of the nearest water supply. c. age of the building. d. time the next apparatus will respond.

a. layout or floor plan of the building.

When removing a firefighter with functioning SCBA from a hazardous location: a. move the firefighter carefully so as not to dislodge the mask. b. reconnect the firefighter's facepiece to the SCBA tank. c. connect the firefighter's facepiece to another SCBA. d. remove the firefighter's facepiece and inspect it before continuing.

a. move the firefighter carefully so as not to dislodge the mask.

An advantage of marking with latch straps is that they: a. prevent the door from closing. b. keep the door closed. c. are more fire resistant than other types of markers. d. are more visible than other types of markers.

a. prevent the door from closing.

When any evacuation signal is given, all exiting crews must: a. proceed to a designated safe area outside the collapse zone. b. confirm the evacuation order with the IC before exiting the structure. c. ensure that all victims have been evacuated before leaving the structure. d. activate their personal alert safety system (PASS) devices.

a. proceed to a designated safe area outside the collapse zone.

Rooms or close areas where the door can be closed to prevent the spread of heat, smoke, and toxic gases into that space are called: a. safe havens. b. fireproof assemblies. c. escape rooms. d. protective units.

a. safe havens.

While in a structure searching for a downed firefighter, the RIC should: a. stop frequently and briefly remain silent. b. radio to Command as they head from one room to another. c. open closed doors in order to prevent backdraft. d. start the search closest to the fire.

a. stop frequently and briefly remain silent.

A minimum of _____ firefighters are needed to perform VEIS if using a ladder. a. three b. two c. one d. four

a. three

The four steps involved in VEIS are: a. vent, enter, isolate, search. b. victim location, evacuation, isolate, search. c. vent, exit, isolate, save. d. vent, enter, isolate, substitute.

a. vent, enter, isolate, search.

Why must locating and isolating the fire be a priority before any search? a. Property protection is a higher incident priority than life safety. b. Entering to search provides a ventilation opening to the structure, which could cause fire to spread. c. Smoke from the fire makes performing searches more difficult. d. Primary search cannot be performed until after the fire has been controlled.

b. Entering to search provides a ventilation opening to the structure, which could cause fire to spread.

After locating a downed firefighter in an IDLH atmosphere, what is the RIC's priority? a. Extinguishing the fire b. Exiting the IDLH atmosphere c. Stabilizing the firefighter's injuries d. Rescuing other victims

b. Exiting the IDLH atmosphere

In which situation would firefighters likely use an air monitoring device? a. Fire in a trash container b. A medical call where multiple victims have collapsed for an unknown reason c. A car accident requiring victim extrication d. When assisting a high-angle rescue team

b. A medical call where multiple victims have collapsed for an unknown reason

Where should you start the search on the fire floor? a. Where victims will be easiest to rescue b. As close to the fire as possible c. At the entrance d. Where victims are most likely to be

b. As close to the fire as possible

What is the best option when rapid fire development is about to occur? a. Remain in place and use the hoseline for protection b. Escape to a safe haven c. Shelter in place d. Advance to the seat of the fire to extinguish it before it grows

b. Escape to a safe haven

Which of the following is one of the three principles of air management? a. Turn your SCBA off once you have found an area of safe haven. b. Know your point of no return. c. Leave the structure when your cylinder reaches 50% capacity. d. Always use short, quick breaths.

b. Know your point of no return.

Which condition specific to search and rescue operations should be communicated to crew members and/or your supervisor? a. Wind direction and speed b. Known locations of victims or occupants c. Names of victims or occupants d. Building's construction classification

b. Known locations of victims or occupants

In which search method does the leader remain at a fixed point while searching team members spread out through a room to complete a search? a. Wide-area search method b. Oriented-search method c. Shelter-in-place method d. VEIS method

b. Oriented-search method

What is the purpose of a rapid intervention crew (RIC)? a. Rescue injured or trapped victims b. Rescue injured or trapped firefighters c. Perform a primary search d. Perform a secondary search

b. Rescue injured or trapped firefighters

A primary search is: a. a slow thorough search conducted after the fire is under control. b. a fast, thorough search performed either before or during fire suppression operations. c. not the time to rescue victims. d. performed by one person.

b. a fast, thorough search performed either before or during fire suppression operations.

During search and rescue operations, rescuers should NOT: a. exit the building by turning in the opposite direction that was turned to enter. b. enter a structure where survivors are not likely to be found. c. move quickly and stay close to the wall of a hallway or room when it is filled with smoke. d. close doors during the search.

b. enter a structure where survivors are not likely to be found.

An advantage of using thermal imagers during search and rescue operations is: a. detection of people under or behind furniture and on the opposite side of walls. b. improved visibility in an obscured environment. c. the ability to detect fires through carpeted floors. d. the ability to see through water, glass, and other reflective surfaces.

b. improved visibility in an obscured environment.

Actions such as opening a bypass valve on a cylinder, sharing air, and breathing directly from the cylinder are: a. unlikely to occur at a search and rescue operation. b. possible solutions to air emergencies. c. suggested responses to structural collapse. d. never allowed according to SOPs.

b. possible solutions to air emergencies.

A bump test is performed to: a. reset a gas detector to factory default settings. b. verify that a gas detector is functioning properly. c. test the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. d. test the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere.

b. verify that a gas detector is functioning properly.

When does the secondary search take place? a. Before fire suppression operations b. As soon as resources are available c. After the fire is under control d. During fire suppression operations

c. After the fire is under control

Which basic firefighting skill serves as an essential survival skill during search and rescue operations? a. Using a hoseline to perform hydraulic ventilation b. Operating a portable fire extinguisher to put out an incipient fire c. Forcing a window or cutting through debris d. Using air monitoring devices to sample the atmosphere

c. Forcing a window or cutting through debris

Which coupling on a hoseline will indicate you are headed toward an egress point? a. Female b. Joint c. Male d. Bypass

c. Male

Which situation would require a firefighter to call a MAYDAY? a. Portable radio malfunction b. Finding unidentified victims or occupants c. SCBA malfunction d. Encountering a hazardous materials spill

c. SCBA malfunction

How can you help rescuers find you if you are forced to shelter in place? a. Do not go far from your assigned area b. Remain in the fire compartment c. Shine a light through available windows to draw attention to your location d. Leave all doors open and marked to indicate your location

c. Shine a light through available windows to draw attention to your location

Why should personnel search behind doors and on the floor below windows? a. Visibility and air quality are best in these places. b. These places must be marked in the primary search. c. Smoke may overcome occupants while they are trying to escape. d. Occupants are most likely to find shelter in these places.

c. Smoke may overcome occupants while they are trying to escape.

If you think your life is in immediate danger, transmit the MAYDAY signal and then: a. call the rapid intervention crew. b. activate your PASS device before communicating your situation to the IC. c. communicate your situation to the IC before activating your PASS device. d. provide personnel accountability report.

c. communicate your situation to the IC before activating your PASS device.

Firefighters use air-monitoring devices to: a. test the air quality in an SCBA cylinder. b. inspect the air inside apparatus tires. c. detect oxygen levels and hazardous substances. d. measure ambient air temperatures.

c. detect oxygen levels and hazardous substances.

An atmosphere is considered hazardous if it contains a hazardous gas in excess of 10 percent of the hazardous material's: a. ignition range. b. flammability threshold. c. lower explosive limit. d. upper combustible limit (UCL).

c. lower explosive limit.

If an exterior wall must be breached during search and rescue operations, rescue personnel: a. should provide the IC with a personnel accountability report (PAR). b. must coordinate with the rapid intervention crew before making the opening. c. must coordinate with the IC and ventilation teams before making the opening. d. should maintain contact with the search line or hoseline.

c. must coordinate with the IC and ventilation teams before making the opening.

Search and rescue marks should be placed: a. in the middle of the door or the middle of the opposite wall. b. in the middle of the door, in the middle of the adjacent wall, or in the middle of the adjacent stairs. c. on the lower third of the door, the lower third of the adjacent wall, or in the landing of the adjacent stairs. d. on the upper third of the door or the upper third of the adjacent wall.

c. on the lower third of the door, the lower third of the adjacent wall, or in the landing of the adjacent stairs.

VEIS is only intended for: a. rooms in the interior of the structure. b. larger structural searches. c. rapid rescue of victims and the isolation of individual rooms. d. rooms that are involved with the fire or show conditions of flashover.

c. rapid rescue of victims and the isolation of individual rooms.

During a wide-area search, every team member is equipped with a: a. thermal imager. b. backup SCBA cylinder. c. tether line. d. high-capacity SCBA cylinder.

c. tether line.

If air monitoring indicates that the oxygen level in the atmosphere is below 19.5 percent,: a. respiratory protection other than SCBA must be used. b. SCBA is no longer necessary for rescuers in the area. c. the IC or Incident Safety Officer should be notified. d. the area is said to be an oxygen-enriched environment.

c. the IC or Incident Safety Officer should be notified.

Your point of no return is based on: a. how many members are on the rescue team. b. the highest cylinder gauge reading of any member of the team. c. the lowest cylinder gauge reading of any member of the team. d. how many people need to be rescued.

c. the lowest cylinder gauge reading of any member of the team.

During a secondary search, rescuers should not remove SCBA until: a. there are no visible flames. b. the room is clear of smoke. c. the supervisor or safety officer determines that the atmosphere is safe. d. it is determined that there are no remaining victims.

c. the supervisor or safety officer determines that the atmosphere is safe.

Escaping to a safe haven is the best options when: a. the primary search has been completed. b. your low-pressure alarm sounds. c. there is imminent threat of structural collapse. d. the rest of your team is in the hazard zone.

c. there is imminent threat of structural collapse.

In order to safely conduct a primary search, rescuers should: a. split up to cover a larger area. b. wait to search until the fire has been extinguished. c. work in teams of two or more. d. move slowly and check in with the IC after searching each room.

c. work in teams of two or more.

What should you do if you become entangled while trying to evacuate a building? a. Wait calmly for another firefighter to find you b. Contact the rapid intervention crew by radio c. Remove your SCBA and cut the wires d. Broadcast a MAYDAY, then attempt to free yourself

d. Broadcast a MAYDAY, then attempt to free yourself

Which action can protect the egress pathways during a search so that the search team can escape if conditions change rapidly? a. Open all doors in the path to make more exit points available b. Only allow one search team in an area at a time c. Use an air monitoring device to check for dangerous gas levels in the compartment d. Close doors along the egress path after rooms are searched

d. Close doors along the egress path after rooms are searched

What is a rescuer's role in occupant self-evacuation? a. Treating injured victims b. Keeping bystanders out of the safe haven area c. Moving victims to a protected location inside the structure d. Establishing a safe haven away from the structure

d. Establishing a safe haven away from the structure

In which location would sheltering-in-place likely be used instead of evacuation? a. Daycare center b. Open-air market c. Low-rise apartment building d. Hospital

d. Hospital

Why is breaching interior walls not a preferred method of escape? a. It inflicts too much damage on the structure. b. It requires specialized tools and requires responders to remove SCBA. c. It could cause possible harm to victims sheltering in the next room. d. It requires strength, depletes air supply, and creates an additional flow path.

d. It requires strength, depletes air supply, and creates an additional flow path.

How does staying low to the floor improve survivability? a. This places a barrier between you and the fire, allowing you more time to find an egress point b. It removes toxins such as carbon monoxide (CO) c. It allows you to exit a structure more quickly d. Temperatures are cooler and air may be less contaminated

d. Temperatures are cooler and air may be less contaminated

Why should firefighters exit the IDLH before their low-pressure alarm activates? a. Hearing the alarm may cause panic, which will speed up air consumption. b. The remaining air is insufficient to exit even if no emergencies occur. c. The remaining air is an average, not specific to each firefighter, so it may be insufficient to exit from both short and long distances. d. The remaining air is insufficient to exit from deep inside a large structure and does not take into account emergencies th

d. The remaining air is insufficient to exit from deep inside a large structure and does not take into account emergencies that may be encountered.

What types of tools and equipment do search and rescue personnel carry? a. Hydraulic rescue equipment b. power saws and hydraulic tools c. pH meters and fluoride test paper d. Thermal imagers and forcible entry tools

d. Thermal imagers and forcible entry tools

Which search method employs the use of markers such as knots at regular intervals along the search line to indicate distance from the beginning of the search line? a. Oriented-search method b. Self-evacuation method c. VEIS method d. Wide-area search method

d. Wide-area search method

If a fire is encountered in a room during search and rescue operations, rescuers should: a. mark the door with USAR-approved symbols. b. abandon the search and immediately leave the building. c. leave the door open to provide ventilation to the compartment. d. close the door and report the conditions.

d. close the door and report the conditions.

Before entering an IDLH environment, you must: a. estimate the total time to be spent in the structure based on your team's average air consumption rate. b. document the exact tools and equipment you are taking into the structure. c. don the highest level of PPE available to you. d. ensure that your SCBA is turned on, working properly, and contains a full cylinder of air.

d. ensure that your SCBA is turned on, working properly, and contains a full cylinder of air.

Under normal conditions, air management increases your work time, but if you are lost or trapped, it: a. decreases the amount of time you can survive before escaping or being rescued. b. will decrease your survivable time before rescue and increase your energy output. c. will not be effective, because adrenaline and stress will drastically increase your consumption rate. d. increases the amount of time you can survive before escaping or being rescued.

d. increases the amount of time you can survive before escaping or being rescued.

If you are near the downed firefighter when a MAYDAY transmission is made: a. immediately rush to assist with the rescue. b. exit the area immediately. c. immediately ventilate the area. d. listen closely for your orders after the transmission and do not freelance.

d. listen closely for your orders after the transmission and do not freelance.

If there is heavy smoke or extreme heat in a compartment that is being searched, rescuers should: a. check the heat signature with a thermal imager. b. stand to get a better view. c. attempt to extinguish the fire. d. move below the smoke level.

d. move below the smoke level.

Panic, claustrophobia, and disorientation are effects of: a. long-term exposure to radiation. b. chronic exposure to products of combustion. c. pulmonary edema. d. obscured vision conditions.

d. obscured vision conditions.

To be physically and mentally prepared for survival during search and rescue operations, you should: a. push yourself past your limits. b. allow the IC to look out for your crew members' safety. c. follow orders without question. d. practice emergency exit techniques.

d. practice emergency exit techniques.

Secondary searches: a. and primary searches are conducted by the same personnel. b. use different steps than the primary searches, but are just as organized. c. do not require SCBA. d. use the same steps as primary searches.

d. use the same steps as primary searches.