ILLINOIS BOF STATE EXAM – FIREFIGHTER BASIC OPERATIONS & SAFETY – PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS STUDY GUIDE A+ VERIFIED LATEST VERSION (2026-2027)
1. one of the most important ways to pay attention to the surroundings in a
hazardous environment is for the ff to maintain:: situational awareness
2. Tenders combined with can efficiently provide large volumes of
water to a fire ground operation.: portable water tanks
3. how are flammability limits and explosive limits related: they are interchangeable
terms meaning the same thing
4. using the nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) classification, which is
considered a chemical nerve agent: anthrax
5. information needed to determine the scope of an emergency includes: inci-
dent/situation
6. one purpose of a personnel accountability report (PAR) is to: identify trapped or
injured firefighters
7. while performing search and rescue operations, firefighters should ensure
they have a safe haven such as: secondary means of egress
8. the national fire protection association 704 system for identifying hazardous
materials gives: general hazard and degree of severity
9. devices through which water flows, used in conjunction with fire hose, such
as a gate valve, are known as: appliances
10. the normal type of sprinkler system used where there is a risk of the system
freezing is a: dry system
11. which defines vehicle stabilization: process of providing additional support to key places
between the vehicle and the ground
12. the three tactical priorities are: life safety, control loss, and stabilize the incident
13. can salvage and overhaul ever be delayed until an investigator has exam-
ined the scene: yes, it can often be delayed for this reason
14. a number 4 in the blue quadrant of the national fire protection association
704 system indicates that there is risk in this category from the chemical
involved: severe
15. the national fire protection association 704 system indicates hazardous
materials as: potential hazards
16. the suspension system of a vehicle is best stabilized by: step chocks placed toward
the front and rear of the vehicle
, ILLINOIS BOF STATE EXAM – FIREFIGHTER BASIC OPERATIONS & SAFETY – PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS STUDY GUIDE A+ VERIFIED LATEST VERSION (2026-2027)
17. what is the term for locations from which an apparatus can draft: static water
sources
18. extinguishers suitable for class D fires can be identified by a containing
the letter D: yellow star
19. the type of portable ladder that is a straight ladder with permanently
attached curved metal hooks is called a: roof ladder
20. which statement regarding the operation of doors is correct: if you can see the
hinges, the door will swing toward you
21. when ventilating a building, the firefighter can use ventilation: mechanical
22. which statement is correct: personnel accountability should be used at all emergency scenes
23. when approaching a fire, stored-pressure water extinguishers are designed
to be discharged with the nozzle:: swept back and forth swiftly
24. if rescuers are able to get into a vehicle, their first action should be to: as-
sess/protect the victims
25. sexless hose couplings are sometimes referred by their brand name, which
is: storz
26. one self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) limitation that the ff should
be aware of is: SCBA and personal protective equipment add approximately 60-70 pounds of weight to the tt
27. what are guides to decision-making within the organization: policies
28. a rapid intervention crew team is composed of: at least two tt
29. the end of the rope that is used to tie a knot is called the: working end
30. which violates a rule of personal safety: remain standing even when you cannot see your feet
31. which is required on a pipeline marker: pipeline owner's phone number
32. ground ladders should be tested: annually
33. an on-going size-up must consider the impact firefighters are having on the
problem, any changing circumstances at the incident and: the ettectiveness of the initial
plan
34. which is true regarding structural fire helmets: they must have earflaps
35. which is true regarding personal protective clothing (PPE): it requires tt to wear the
most appropriate PPE for the hazard they face
36. to chock the wheels of a vehicle involved in an accident, the ff should:: chock
the wheels in both directions
, ILLINOIS BOF STATE EXAM – FIREFIGHTER BASIC OPERATIONS & SAFETY – PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS STUDY GUIDE A+ VERIFIED LATEST VERSION (2026-2027)
37. in what condition should the fuel tanks on power tools be left when not in
use: full
38. while working form a ground ladder, the hook on the safety harness should
be: attacked to a rung
39. from which end of the rope can a clove hitch accept tension without coming
untied: from either end
40. carbon dioxide extinguishers are generally rated for fires: class B and C
41. a non-load bearing wall can be described as: a wall that only supports its own weight
42. a ff who is lost in a structure and finds a firehose should remember: the male
coupling indicates the direction to the exit
43. when caring for the axe head, remember to: maintain the axe head as it will void the
manufacturer's warranty
44. the primary rule of forcible entry is: try before you pry
45. an advantage of a forward lay is: that the pumper is located at the fire with access to additional
hoselines
46. the combination of knots used to hoist a hose line involves: a clove hitch and half
hitch
47. the dangerous situation in which a hidden or smoldering fire reignites after
departure of fire crews is called: rekindle
48. what organization provides an emergency call center for first responders
at a hazmat emergency: CHEMTREC
49. the term used to dress and bandage, splint fractures, and immobilize the
patient's body to reduce possibility of further injury is called: full body immobilization
50. in the course of extinguishing a small fire in an unaccompanied house you
discover the presence of chemicals and glass jars, a possible clue to illegal
activity that is indicative of: drug making
51. a stream discharging more than 350gpm is known as stream: master
52. the recommended tool for breaking a tempered plate glass window is
a: pick-head axe
53. the firefighter carry:: should not be used in a smoke-filled environment
54. when dismounting fire apparatus at the emergency scene:: wait until the vehicle
comes to a complete stop
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS STUDY GUIDE A+ VERIFIED LATEST VERSION (2026-2027)
1. one of the most important ways to pay attention to the surroundings in a
hazardous environment is for the ff to maintain:: situational awareness
2. Tenders combined with can efficiently provide large volumes of
water to a fire ground operation.: portable water tanks
3. how are flammability limits and explosive limits related: they are interchangeable
terms meaning the same thing
4. using the nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) classification, which is
considered a chemical nerve agent: anthrax
5. information needed to determine the scope of an emergency includes: inci-
dent/situation
6. one purpose of a personnel accountability report (PAR) is to: identify trapped or
injured firefighters
7. while performing search and rescue operations, firefighters should ensure
they have a safe haven such as: secondary means of egress
8. the national fire protection association 704 system for identifying hazardous
materials gives: general hazard and degree of severity
9. devices through which water flows, used in conjunction with fire hose, such
as a gate valve, are known as: appliances
10. the normal type of sprinkler system used where there is a risk of the system
freezing is a: dry system
11. which defines vehicle stabilization: process of providing additional support to key places
between the vehicle and the ground
12. the three tactical priorities are: life safety, control loss, and stabilize the incident
13. can salvage and overhaul ever be delayed until an investigator has exam-
ined the scene: yes, it can often be delayed for this reason
14. a number 4 in the blue quadrant of the national fire protection association
704 system indicates that there is risk in this category from the chemical
involved: severe
15. the national fire protection association 704 system indicates hazardous
materials as: potential hazards
16. the suspension system of a vehicle is best stabilized by: step chocks placed toward
the front and rear of the vehicle
, ILLINOIS BOF STATE EXAM – FIREFIGHTER BASIC OPERATIONS & SAFETY – PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS STUDY GUIDE A+ VERIFIED LATEST VERSION (2026-2027)
17. what is the term for locations from which an apparatus can draft: static water
sources
18. extinguishers suitable for class D fires can be identified by a containing
the letter D: yellow star
19. the type of portable ladder that is a straight ladder with permanently
attached curved metal hooks is called a: roof ladder
20. which statement regarding the operation of doors is correct: if you can see the
hinges, the door will swing toward you
21. when ventilating a building, the firefighter can use ventilation: mechanical
22. which statement is correct: personnel accountability should be used at all emergency scenes
23. when approaching a fire, stored-pressure water extinguishers are designed
to be discharged with the nozzle:: swept back and forth swiftly
24. if rescuers are able to get into a vehicle, their first action should be to: as-
sess/protect the victims
25. sexless hose couplings are sometimes referred by their brand name, which
is: storz
26. one self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) limitation that the ff should
be aware of is: SCBA and personal protective equipment add approximately 60-70 pounds of weight to the tt
27. what are guides to decision-making within the organization: policies
28. a rapid intervention crew team is composed of: at least two tt
29. the end of the rope that is used to tie a knot is called the: working end
30. which violates a rule of personal safety: remain standing even when you cannot see your feet
31. which is required on a pipeline marker: pipeline owner's phone number
32. ground ladders should be tested: annually
33. an on-going size-up must consider the impact firefighters are having on the
problem, any changing circumstances at the incident and: the ettectiveness of the initial
plan
34. which is true regarding structural fire helmets: they must have earflaps
35. which is true regarding personal protective clothing (PPE): it requires tt to wear the
most appropriate PPE for the hazard they face
36. to chock the wheels of a vehicle involved in an accident, the ff should:: chock
the wheels in both directions
, ILLINOIS BOF STATE EXAM – FIREFIGHTER BASIC OPERATIONS & SAFETY – PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS STUDY GUIDE A+ VERIFIED LATEST VERSION (2026-2027)
37. in what condition should the fuel tanks on power tools be left when not in
use: full
38. while working form a ground ladder, the hook on the safety harness should
be: attacked to a rung
39. from which end of the rope can a clove hitch accept tension without coming
untied: from either end
40. carbon dioxide extinguishers are generally rated for fires: class B and C
41. a non-load bearing wall can be described as: a wall that only supports its own weight
42. a ff who is lost in a structure and finds a firehose should remember: the male
coupling indicates the direction to the exit
43. when caring for the axe head, remember to: maintain the axe head as it will void the
manufacturer's warranty
44. the primary rule of forcible entry is: try before you pry
45. an advantage of a forward lay is: that the pumper is located at the fire with access to additional
hoselines
46. the combination of knots used to hoist a hose line involves: a clove hitch and half
hitch
47. the dangerous situation in which a hidden or smoldering fire reignites after
departure of fire crews is called: rekindle
48. what organization provides an emergency call center for first responders
at a hazmat emergency: CHEMTREC
49. the term used to dress and bandage, splint fractures, and immobilize the
patient's body to reduce possibility of further injury is called: full body immobilization
50. in the course of extinguishing a small fire in an unaccompanied house you
discover the presence of chemicals and glass jars, a possible clue to illegal
activity that is indicative of: drug making
51. a stream discharging more than 350gpm is known as stream: master
52. the recommended tool for breaking a tempered plate glass window is
a: pick-head axe
53. the firefighter carry:: should not be used in a smoke-filled environment
54. when dismounting fire apparatus at the emergency scene:: wait until the vehicle
comes to a complete stop
