Incident Safety Officer Exam Questions With
100% Correct Answers 2024/2025
Health and Safety Officer (HSO)
The individual assigned and authorized by the fire chief as the manager of the health and safety
program.
Incident Safety Officer
A member of the command staff responsible for the monitoring and assessing safety hazards or
unsafe situations and for developing measures to ensure personnel safety.
_____ was developed through Homeland Security Directive 5 to create and mandate a consistent
nationwide approach to prepare for, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents regardless of
cause, size, or complexity.
NIMS
The _____ focuses on health and safety administration, while the ISO focuses on scene-specific
operations.
HSO
In _____, Congress passed the Williams-Steiger Act, which created OSHA.
1970
NFPA 1501 has been changed to NFPA _____.
1521
FIRESCOPE
Firefighting Resources of Southern California Organized for Potential Emergencies
National Interagency Incident Management System (NIIMS)
Used by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), recognizes the safety officer as directly
reporting to the IC. NIIMS is a direct descendant of FIRESCOPE. In NIIMS, the safety officer can be
classified as:
Type 1 (SOFI)
Type 2 (SOF2)
Line safety officer (SOFR).
A SOF1 is qualified to deploy nationwide as part of a national incident management team (IMT). A
SOF2 is usually qualified at the _____ or local level to function at wildland and interface fires or other
disasters.
State
The _____ _____ officer (SOFR) can be the safety officer assigned to initial attack operations, the
safety officer assigned to incidents that have not escalated to a Type 1 or 2 incident, and the field
assistant used by a SOF1 or SOF2.
Line Safety
,There are approximately _____ predesignated Type 1 IMTs and 32 Type 2 IMTs staged around the
United States.
16
The National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) is responsible for assigning Type 1 and Type
_____ IMTs.
2
NFPA _____ is now written as a professional qualifications document using the job performance
requirement (JPR) format to outline specific knowledge and skill objectives for the HSO and ISO.
1521
The USFA classifies LODDs differently. They include what are known as "Hometown Hero" LODDs- that
is, firefighters who have suffered a fatal heart attack within _____ hours of an incident response or
physically stressful duty-related activity.
24
Since 1977, an average of _____ firefighters die in the line of duty each year.
112
From 2004-2013, the yearly average LODD was _____.
103
It is well-documented that most LODDs are _____ related.
Stress (cardiac)
Injuries per day for firefighters: _____
190
22-25 injuries per _____ fires over the past 30 years.
1,000
The most common injuries for all fire service activities:
Strains, sprains, and muscle pain followed by cuts, lacerations, and bruises.
Workers' compensation is statutory for each state, and each state's version has its own intricacies;
however, rates are set by the National Council on _____ Insurance (NCCI).
Compensation
Experience Modifier:
Each state may adjust compensation rates for firefighters based on experience.
PTSD
A mental health disorder that can develop in those who have experienced a terrifying ordeal that
involved physical harm or the threat of harm.
,The ISO is a member of the command staff and is responsible for:
Monitoring incident conditions and activities
Evaluating hazards and unsafe conditions
Developing measures that promote safe incident handling
Intervening when an immediate or potential threat exists
Communicating urgent and advisory safety messages that help prevent injuries or deaths
Monitor:
Actively survey the incident environment and watch the incident activities
Evaluate:
Assess the environment and activities and judge whether a hazard exists that can cause harm. The
hazard judgement must be further assessed relative to a prudent risk-versus-gain mentality.
Develop:
Design and create preventive measures that will minimize the chance of harm and promote safe
incident handling.
Intervene:
Take deliberate actions to prevent harm from imminent and potential hazards.
Communicate:
Deliver urgent and advisory messages using multiple methods (radio, face-to-face, warning signs).
Thinking of the ISO as the hazard MEDIC for an incident can remind you of their responsibilities:
Monitor
Evaluate
Develop
Intervene
Communicate
Creating a safe operational environment is dependent on three components (the triad):
Procedures
Equipment
Personnel
A _____ process is defined in writing and can take on many forms: SOPs, SOGs, departmental
directives, temporary memorandums, and the like.
Formal
Many departments have adopted _____ in lieu of SOPs, reasoning that a guideline is more flexible and
more usable by line officers and incident commanders.
SOGs
_____ are strict orders that must be followed with little or no flexibility.
, Directives
_____ are adaptable templates that allow flexibility in application.
Guidelines
An _____ process is a process or operation that is part of a department's routine but that is not
written.
Informal
The first step in developing an SOP is establishing an _____ process to create, edit, alter, or delete
established process.
Administrative
What makes a well-written SOP?
If firefighters follow it!
Achieving good writing starts with a clear outline and the use of _____ language.
Simple
Qualities of a good SOP include:
Simple language
Clear direction
Tested technique
Easy interpretation
Specificity on in relation to critical or life-endangering points
The ISO who witnesses a failure to follow SOPs during an incident should make a notation and bring
up the infraction during _____ or the next scheduled safety committee meeting.
PIA
NFPA standards:
Designed to offer a minimum acceptable standard for equipment design, application, and
maintenance.
Seven items when writing equipment guidelines (Rich Duffy, director of Occupational Health and
Safety for OSHA, and Chuck Soros, retired Seattle Fire Chief):
Selection
Use
Cleaning/Decon
Storage
Inspection
Repairs
Criteria for retirement
_____ is arguable the least important facet of the safety triad.
Equipment
100% Correct Answers 2024/2025
Health and Safety Officer (HSO)
The individual assigned and authorized by the fire chief as the manager of the health and safety
program.
Incident Safety Officer
A member of the command staff responsible for the monitoring and assessing safety hazards or
unsafe situations and for developing measures to ensure personnel safety.
_____ was developed through Homeland Security Directive 5 to create and mandate a consistent
nationwide approach to prepare for, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents regardless of
cause, size, or complexity.
NIMS
The _____ focuses on health and safety administration, while the ISO focuses on scene-specific
operations.
HSO
In _____, Congress passed the Williams-Steiger Act, which created OSHA.
1970
NFPA 1501 has been changed to NFPA _____.
1521
FIRESCOPE
Firefighting Resources of Southern California Organized for Potential Emergencies
National Interagency Incident Management System (NIIMS)
Used by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), recognizes the safety officer as directly
reporting to the IC. NIIMS is a direct descendant of FIRESCOPE. In NIIMS, the safety officer can be
classified as:
Type 1 (SOFI)
Type 2 (SOF2)
Line safety officer (SOFR).
A SOF1 is qualified to deploy nationwide as part of a national incident management team (IMT). A
SOF2 is usually qualified at the _____ or local level to function at wildland and interface fires or other
disasters.
State
The _____ _____ officer (SOFR) can be the safety officer assigned to initial attack operations, the
safety officer assigned to incidents that have not escalated to a Type 1 or 2 incident, and the field
assistant used by a SOF1 or SOF2.
Line Safety
,There are approximately _____ predesignated Type 1 IMTs and 32 Type 2 IMTs staged around the
United States.
16
The National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) is responsible for assigning Type 1 and Type
_____ IMTs.
2
NFPA _____ is now written as a professional qualifications document using the job performance
requirement (JPR) format to outline specific knowledge and skill objectives for the HSO and ISO.
1521
The USFA classifies LODDs differently. They include what are known as "Hometown Hero" LODDs- that
is, firefighters who have suffered a fatal heart attack within _____ hours of an incident response or
physically stressful duty-related activity.
24
Since 1977, an average of _____ firefighters die in the line of duty each year.
112
From 2004-2013, the yearly average LODD was _____.
103
It is well-documented that most LODDs are _____ related.
Stress (cardiac)
Injuries per day for firefighters: _____
190
22-25 injuries per _____ fires over the past 30 years.
1,000
The most common injuries for all fire service activities:
Strains, sprains, and muscle pain followed by cuts, lacerations, and bruises.
Workers' compensation is statutory for each state, and each state's version has its own intricacies;
however, rates are set by the National Council on _____ Insurance (NCCI).
Compensation
Experience Modifier:
Each state may adjust compensation rates for firefighters based on experience.
PTSD
A mental health disorder that can develop in those who have experienced a terrifying ordeal that
involved physical harm or the threat of harm.
,The ISO is a member of the command staff and is responsible for:
Monitoring incident conditions and activities
Evaluating hazards and unsafe conditions
Developing measures that promote safe incident handling
Intervening when an immediate or potential threat exists
Communicating urgent and advisory safety messages that help prevent injuries or deaths
Monitor:
Actively survey the incident environment and watch the incident activities
Evaluate:
Assess the environment and activities and judge whether a hazard exists that can cause harm. The
hazard judgement must be further assessed relative to a prudent risk-versus-gain mentality.
Develop:
Design and create preventive measures that will minimize the chance of harm and promote safe
incident handling.
Intervene:
Take deliberate actions to prevent harm from imminent and potential hazards.
Communicate:
Deliver urgent and advisory messages using multiple methods (radio, face-to-face, warning signs).
Thinking of the ISO as the hazard MEDIC for an incident can remind you of their responsibilities:
Monitor
Evaluate
Develop
Intervene
Communicate
Creating a safe operational environment is dependent on three components (the triad):
Procedures
Equipment
Personnel
A _____ process is defined in writing and can take on many forms: SOPs, SOGs, departmental
directives, temporary memorandums, and the like.
Formal
Many departments have adopted _____ in lieu of SOPs, reasoning that a guideline is more flexible and
more usable by line officers and incident commanders.
SOGs
_____ are strict orders that must be followed with little or no flexibility.
, Directives
_____ are adaptable templates that allow flexibility in application.
Guidelines
An _____ process is a process or operation that is part of a department's routine but that is not
written.
Informal
The first step in developing an SOP is establishing an _____ process to create, edit, alter, or delete
established process.
Administrative
What makes a well-written SOP?
If firefighters follow it!
Achieving good writing starts with a clear outline and the use of _____ language.
Simple
Qualities of a good SOP include:
Simple language
Clear direction
Tested technique
Easy interpretation
Specificity on in relation to critical or life-endangering points
The ISO who witnesses a failure to follow SOPs during an incident should make a notation and bring
up the infraction during _____ or the next scheduled safety committee meeting.
PIA
NFPA standards:
Designed to offer a minimum acceptable standard for equipment design, application, and
maintenance.
Seven items when writing equipment guidelines (Rich Duffy, director of Occupational Health and
Safety for OSHA, and Chuck Soros, retired Seattle Fire Chief):
Selection
Use
Cleaning/Decon
Storage
Inspection
Repairs
Criteria for retirement
_____ is arguable the least important facet of the safety triad.
Equipment
