Extinguish Your Curiosity About Firefighters - How Much Do You Know?
Written by Leni Davenport
Last updated · 10 min play time
This is a quiz about the daily life of a firefighter.
Does the term "Firefighter" bring to mind the glamorous images of rugged muscle men with colorful uniforms and hair blowing in the wind that you see in the movies and on TV? The reality is that these courageous people are hard-working, self sacrificing and well educated as to the nature and types of fires and how to best combat them. Let's see how much you know about these real-life heroes.
Quiz written by
Leni DavenportMs. Davenport is a freelance graphic designer, an online retailer, and is a part-time writer, home stager and wedding cake designer. She is the mother of four and grandmother of seven. Enjoying classic films and road trips are among her favorite pastimes.
Firefighter quiz Quiz Questions
30 Questions · 12.6K Plays · 1 Comment
Question 1
What does the acronym SCBA stand for?
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AStrong Box Cutting Appliance
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BSelf Contained Breathing Apparatus
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CSemi-Conductor Back-up Attenuator
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DShared Contact Bandwidth Adapter
Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
The use of a well-fitting SCBA – Self Contained Breathing Apparatus – is mandatory when fighting a fire indoors. Heavy chemicals emitted from burning paint, carpet, plastics and other materials can be breathed in, and breathable oxygen is scarce.
Question 2
What is the gear called that firefighters put on when summoned to a fire?
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AFlame Suit
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BSmokey Suit
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CTurnout gear
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DCPG (Conflagration Protective Gear)
Turnout gear
Turnout gear is so named because the firefighter has to be all turned out and ready to go in a very short period of time. All gear is kept in one place and put away in such a manner as to be quickly put on.
Question 3
Why are many firefighters required to be clean shaven and have no facial piercings?
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ASo the piercings don’t overheat and cause burns
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BSo their beards won’t catch on fire
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CSo they look better on the firefighters’ calendar
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DSo that their breathing apparatus will fit properly
So that their breathing apparatus will fit properly
Shaving and the removal of piercings is often required before surgery due to the need for a properly fitted facemask for oxygen or anesthesia. Firefighters must wear a properly fitted breathing apparatus for the same reasons. A beard or facial piercings can prevent a seal from being made around the mouth and nose. Firefighters must wear a tightly fitted device for their own protection.
Question 4
What do firefighters use a pike pole for?
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AFishing on their days off
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BFor moving or retrieving items in a fire
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CKeeping their grip on icy walkways
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DReaching equipment that is stored in high places
For moving or retrieving items in a fire
The pike pole was original named for the hooks that Cossack fishermen used to pull fish out of the frozen lakes. Nowadays, the aluminum or fiberglass pole is generally four to 12 feet long and has a barb and a hook of steel at one end. These hooks are used by firefighters to move flaming items out of the way, tear down burning structures, and pull items closer without going into the flames. The pike pole is what the “hook” in “hook and ladder” comes from.
Question 5
What happens to a firefighter's retirement contributions when he or she dies?
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ATheir living spouse gets 50%
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BTheir funeral gets paid for using the funds
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CTheir family receives a large bonus for their service
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DThe funds are used to help the fire house buy new equipment
Their living spouse gets 50%
Firefighters face the fact that when they pass away, any retirement benefits paid to the surviving partner are reduced by 50% and the remainder rolls back into the system to assist other living firefighters with medical and other expenses.
Question 6
How much visibility does a firefighter have inside a burning building?
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A0 to 15%
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B15 to 35%
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C35 to 60%
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D60 to 85%
0 to 15%
In the movies, rugged and all-knowing firefighters appear in silhouette against a glowing orange and red backdrop of flames. The occasional billow of smoke appears at a window or door, and we can see everything that is going on. The reality of it is quite different. While the flames do provide light, they also provide an overabundance of smoke, which may be added to with burning chemicals. This cuts visibility back to at least 15% if not a flat-out 0.
Question 7
Which type of building burns faster?
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AA traditional building with walls dividing the space?
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BA prison
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CAn open plan home or business with few dividing walls
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DA bank vault
An open plan home or business with few dividing walls
Firefighters have had to face a whole new challenge since the advent of the open floor plan. Nowadays, you can see through from the front door to the back, and often, you can see up into a loft, library or waiting/sitting room, creating a non-stop source of fuel in the event of a fire. Flames can leap from carpets and drapes on one floor right to the next, unlike offices and homes with individual rooms and doors to starve a fire out.
Question 8
Which of the following trucks is not used by firefighters?
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APumper truck
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BTanker truck
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CLadder truck
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DSiphon truck
Siphon truck
Ladder trucks are 40 to 50 feet long and can extend to an upper floor. A 30-foot tanker trunk is common where there is little chance of connecting to a hydrant or where a large fire requires extra assistance. Pumper trucks, also 30 feet long, rely more on connecting several hoses through a holding tank connected to one hydrant.
Question 9
What do they call firefighters who are dropped from airplanes into a forest fire?
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APyro Divers
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BHotfoot Crew
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CSmokejumpers
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DBlaze Bombers
Smokejumpers
Smokejumping is a very dangerous and courageous aspect of firefighting and particularly useful in fighting remote forest fires and wildfires, as smokejumpers can be airlifted over the fire line and deposited where they can do the most good. They are trained using influence from military tactics.
Question 10
What is the number one cause of death among those who fight fires for a living?
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AHeart Attack
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BFalling from burning structures
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CSuffocation from smoke inhalation
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DHeat Stroke
Heart Attack
Fighting fires is hard work. With exposure to extreme heat, excessive inhalation of smoke, long hours of exhausting work and a high risk factor for being hurt badly, or even worse, you would think that the number one cause of death for an active firefighter would, of course, be death by fire. In reality, the primary cause of death is having a heart attack. Reasons why the risk factor is so much higher for a firefighter include extreme heat which can cause heavy sweating and rapid dehydration, stress on the heart from low oxygen caused by smoke inhalation, and sustained high levels of adrenaline. Firefighters are 12 times more likely to die of a heart attack when on duty.
Question 11
When the alarm sounds in the firehouse, how long do firefighters have to get dressed and ready to pull out of the station?
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AFourteen minutes
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BSeven Minutes
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CTwo minutes
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DTen minutes
Two minutes
Every second counts in an emergency. Firefighters have just two minutes to jump into their clothing and grab their gear, which can weigh anywhere from 80 to 185 pounds! This includes those who are deep in slumber, lathered up in the shower, or in the middle of cooking up some firehouse chili. They store their gear in a fashion that makes it easier to put it on quickly and regularly hold drills to practice getting it done in the allotted two minutes.
Question 12
Which of these unusual tasks is a not part of a firefighter’s shift?
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ASleeping
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BSewer cleanouts
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CTree-trimming
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DPublic speaking
Sewer cleanouts
When they are not actively putting out fires, firefighters will participate in practice drills, training exercises, and clean or repair equipment. Because they will remain on call for the full 24 hours, you may also find them sleeping during that time. On occasion, firefighters are invited to speak at schools or community gatherings and to give presentations on fire safety. In order to create a fire line, firefighters may be required to help cut back trees and bushes to prevent a fire from spreading. We don’t know of any episodes of sewer cleaning.
Question 13
Firefighters are famous for Firehouse Chili and other great recipes, but who pays for the food?
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ADonated by local organizations
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BOne of the perks of the job
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CDonated by Food Networks’ “Chefs for Fire Prevention” charity
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DFirefighters buy their own
Firefighters buy their own
The truth of it is that firefighters shop and pay for their own food out of their own pockets. They can choose to contribute to the “pool” or just get their own, but in the end, it is on their dime.
Question 14
Which disease is the most likely cause of death for a retired firefighter?
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ADiabetes
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BCancer
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CKidney failure
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DReynaud’s syndrome
Cancer
Because of high concentrations of and constant exposure to toxic chemicals present in a fire or a hazardous materials cleanup and the residuals left behind on clothing that may then be touched with bare hands, cancers are the number one disease causing death among retired firefighters – a 9% higher risk than the general public.
Question 15
What percentage of US firefighters are volunteer?
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A29%
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B7%
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C69%
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D42%
29%
In the United States of America, approximately 69% of all firefighters are unpaid volunteers. These essential personnel go through the same rigorous training to prepare for the work that lies ahead. This may include firehouse drills, equipment training, resuscitation and other practice drills, and they may receive certification. Some volunteers have on-call shifts and may be invited to participate in fundraising and public education as well.
Question 16
What is a Halligan bar made of?
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AProtein powder, oats and energy compounds
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BIron and teak
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CDrop-forged steel
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DIrish oak and leather
Drop-forged steel
A granola bar with all those nutrients would be a welcome sight to an exhausted and hungry firefighter, but that is not the kind of bar we had in mind. The Halligan was named for Deputy Chief Hugh Halligan in 1948 and is singlehandedly one of the most versatile and well-used pieces of firefighting equipment today. Made of drop-forged steel for strength and durability, the Halligan bar can be used to pry, cut, pick, twist, or punch its way through a variety of materials, allowing a firefighter to break into a building or car much more easily.
Question 17
Who started the first known fire company and where was it located?
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ABenjamin Franklin in Philadelphia
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BJohn Halligan in Nantucket
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CSimon Renfro in San Francisco
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DPaul Revere in Boston
Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia
The first known fire company was established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by no less than Benjamin Franklin. Following a fire that began on a ship in 1720 and quickly spread to the wharf, burning three residences in its wake, the avid writer, inventor and politician saw a need for a company that had the knowledge and ability to more effectively fight fires. The group was known as Benjamin Franklin’s Bucket Brigade due to the requirement that each member bring six buckets to hold water. The group held monthly meetings to establish better practices and techniques for fighting fires.
Question 18
What title is given to the officer who inspects buildings for fire safety in order to prevent fires, as well as conducting investigations following fires?
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ADeputy of Fire Safety
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BFire Safety Management Coordinator
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CFire Prevention Officer
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DFire Marshal
Fire Marshal
A fire marshal, otherwise known as a fire commissioner, is responsible for oversight to enforce adherence to local fire codes in new construction, inspections of existing properties, and the handling and disposal of flammable substances. In addition, the fire marshal will be first on site after a fire to look for signs of arson or foul play. He may or may not be an experienced firefighter.
Question 19
What legal recriminations can firefighters take against you for a house fire?
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ASteep fines for their services
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BNothing
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C30 days in jail pending investigation
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DProbation and house arrest
Nothing
The truth is that firefighters are far more afraid of any recriminations you might take against them than vice versa. After a house fire, the fire marshal, sheriff and other investigators will take a close look to determine the cause and location of the fire. Unless you started it yourself, on purpose, the firefighters can be in a lot more trouble than you – especially if it is determined they caused unnecessary destruction of the property in an effort to put out the fire.
Question 20
What was the average annual salary in 2017 for paid firefighters in the US?
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A$63,000 per year
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B$28,750 per year
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C$49,080 per year
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D$73,090 per year
$49,080 per year
If you were thinking you could get rich working as a firefighter, think again. In May of 2017, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said that a firefighter in the United States is paid on average $49,080 per year. That breaks down to a little more than $23 an hour. A worker just driving a forklift at a road construction site makes nearly as much. That pretty much puts firefighters at hero status.
Question 21
When do firefighters typically receive more distress calls?
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ADuring a full moon
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BWeekends, when more people tend to drink
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CHolidays
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DHunting season
During a full moon
Do you believe in werewolves? Maybe you should. It is a proven fact that more emergencies happen involving fires, medical emergencies, accidents, roadside births - you name it – during the full moon. Emergency services are very aware of this and plan extra for staff or additional shifts to cover the wacky world of the weird.
Question 22
Why were Dalmatians originally so popular as firehouse dogs?
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ATheir spots provide high contrast, making them easier to see in smoky conditions.
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BTheir olfactory system is more sensitive, allowing them to sniff out survivors more quickly.
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CThey can eat food that would poison a human without getting too ill, but can indicate the food is not safe for firefighters to eat.
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DThey get along better with horses.
They get along better with horses.
Dalmatians were actually commonly chosen for their ability to get along with horses. When fire companies first began, the wagon carrying the water and equipment was pulled by horses. Dalmatians could protect the equipment and the horses from would-be marauders, keep the horses in line, and run alongside the carriage for long periods without tiring. They were friendly with the horses and the firefighters alike. Dalmatians have become a tradition in many firehouses now, but it is just a matter of personal preference these days.
Question 23
Why are firefighters at a higher risk of getting contagious diseases?
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ABurning buildings release chemicals that cause disease
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BThe high anxiety they face on the job weakens their immunity
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CNo one knows
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DThey are exposed to many diseases during medical emergencies
They are exposed to many diseases during medical emergencies
While you may not tend to think of a firefighter as a first responder in a medical emergency, that is actually one of the more common duties of the job. Firefighting personnel are frequently called to handle a situation where someone is ill, and it turns out to be something contagious that they then risk taking home to their families.
Question 24
On average, how many fires are started by firefighters annually?
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A85
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B210
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C100
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D165
85
You would think with the amount of effort that goes into extinguishing fires, the extensive damage to structures and property that they cause, and the devastating loss of life that often accompanies a major blaze, that starting a fire would be the last thing a firefighter would ever consider. Not so. There is a certain percentage of serial arsonists who actually become firefighters just for the thrill of being involved in putting the flames down and getting paid for the pleasure.
Question 25
How does the general public make firefighters' job more difficult?
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AAmbulance chasing
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BSoundproof cars and headphones
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CTrying to “help”
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DTrying to get them to honk as they go by
Soundproof cars and headphones
Ambulance chasing can and does cause problems, but the larger obstacle is the soundproof glass used in the windows of newer model cars and/or the use of headphones. It is much harder to hear sirens and horns, and minutes or even seconds wasted in waiting for a car to get out of the way can cost lives.
Question 26
What was the name of the first recorded female firefighter?
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APhyllis Rhae Compton
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BSarah Benedict
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CMolly Williams
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DSonja “Dutch” Schurman
Molly Williams
Firefighting has traditionally been considered too taxing and strenuous for women However, a woman named Molly Williams joined Oceanus Engine Company #11 in New York City in the year 1815. Due to an influenza outbreak during the blizzard of 1818, the department was shorthanded and Molly jumped in, trudging through heavy snowdrifts and icy weather to handle emergency situations. Molly was also recorded to have been a slave to Benjamin Aymar, who was associated with the firehouse. Today, less than 4% of all firefighters are women.
Question 27
Which of these is the higher position in a fire crew?
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ABattalion Chief
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BFire Chief
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CLieutenant
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DCaptain
Fire Chief
Running the fire hose is the top position in the crew for a very important reason – the hose puts out the fire - it is actually learning the nature of fire and anticipating its’ next move. It takes one very strong person on the nozzle and a team of anywhere from four to eight manning the hoses to get the exhausting job done.
Question 28
How hot can a firefighter’s uniform get before melting?
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A890º
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B1000º
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C1460º
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D653º
1000º
These special suits can withstand up to a whopping 2200ºF. The uniform not only resists going up in flames but also protects the person inside from absorbing a concentration of caustic chemicals and acids that are present indoors during a fire.
Question 29
What is the most unusual method of putting out fires that we know of?
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AUrinating on the flames
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BSoaking yourself and your clothing and running into the flames
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CCovering small fires with wet grass clippings to create a steamy environment
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DSmothering with bubble wrap to limit oxygen exposure
Soaking yourself and your clothing and running into the flames
Can you say, “Ouch?” Beginning in the 1600’s and running through the mid-1800’s, Japanese firefighters would hose themselves down so that they, and their nearly 75 pounds of uniform, were thoroughly saturated as a protection. Then, running into the inferno, they would pull down the building, smothering the flames. Amazingly, only 5% of blazes resulted in death.
Question 30
How old do you have to be to become a firefighter?
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A18 years old
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B21 years old
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C25 years old
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D16 years old
16 years old
Do you remember lying on the grass as a kid daydreaming about becoming a firefighter? Yeah. Well, you can have your dream job as early as your 16th birthday. But the caveat that goes with it is you must take a good deal of training to make sure you are not a danger to yourself or others. The NVFC or National Fire Academy programs can help.
Comments (1)
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Some good questions in this quiz. Thanks