Pumping Apparatus Driver/Operator
Lesson 4 — Operating Emergency Vehicles
Name Date
Answer questions about the common causes of fire apparatus collisions. Write the correct letters on the blanks. (1 pt. each, 2/3)
c 1. Which of the following seldom causes serious injury or death, but accounts for a significant portion of overall damage costs?
A. Excessive speed by the public
B. Reckless driving by the public
C. Improper backing of the apparatus
D. Poor apparatus design or maintenance
d 2. Excessive speed by the fire apparatus driver/operator can result in which of the following?
A. Unpredictable behavior of public
B. Vehicle system failure, especially in braking system
C. Inability to recognize a dangerous situation
D. Inability of driver/operator to stop in time to avoid a collision with another vehicle
d 3. Poor apparatus design is most often a factor on:
A. engines.
B. aerial apparatus.
C. pumping apparatus.
D. homebuilt water tenders.
Select facts about driving regulations. Write the correct letters on the blanks. (1 pt. each, 1/2)
d 1. Which of the following statements about driving regulations is TRUE?
A. Fire apparatus driver/operators are exempt from rules and regulations governing other vehicle operators.
B. Emergency vehicles are exempt from laws requiring vehicles to stop for school buses that are flashing signal lights.
C. In some jurisdictions, statutes may exempt emergency vehicles from driving regulations when returning to quarters from an alarm.
D. If a driver/operator does not obey driving regulations and is involved in a collision, both the driver/operator and the fire department may be held responsible.
b 2. Which of the following statements about driving regulations is FALSE?
A. All traffic signals and rules must be obeyed during nonemergency driving.
B. Driving regulations pertain to dry, clear roads during nighttime conditions.
C. Driver/Operators should adjust speeds to compensate for conditions such as wet roads and fog.
D. When exempted from statutes, driver/operators must exercise care for the safety of others and maintain complete control of the vehicle.
Select facts about starting and driving fire service apparatus. Write the correct letters on the blanks. (1 pt. each, 3/4)
c 1. Always consult the ___, supplied with each vehicle, for detailed instructions specific to the vehicle.
A. vehicle SOPs
B. company SOPs
C. manufacturer's operator's manual
D. company specifications guidebook
a 2. When should the vehicle be started so that it is warmed up when the rest of the crew is assembled and ready to respond?
A. As soon as possible
B. At least 3 minutes before departure
C. At least 5 minutes before departure
D. At least 10 minutes before departure
b 3. Take the time to review the ___ and consider important factors that may affect the response such as road closings and traffic conditions.
A. pre-incident plan
B. incident location
C. starting instructions
D. dash gauge readings
c 4. Do not move the apparatus until:
A. all dash lights show green.
B. the brake limiting valve switch has been activated.
C. all occupants are seated within the cab and wearing seatbelts.
D. the temperature guage indicates normal operating temperature.
Answer questions about driving a manual transmission apparatus. Write the correct letters on the blanks. (1 pt. each, 7/10)
d 1. After releasing the ___, place the gear shifter into a low gear that will allow the vehicle to move with a minimum of throttle.
A. clutch
B. gear shift
C. accelerator
D. parking brake
b 2. Never attempt to start the apparatus moving while it is in:
A. low.
B. drive.
C. neutral.
D. reverse.
b 3. Release the ___ slowly when starting from a standstill, avoiding vehicle rollback.
A. brake
B. clutch
C. accelerator
D. parking brake
a 4. Keep the apparatus in low gear until the ___ is reached for shifting to a higher gear.
A. proper speed
B. proper pressure
C. proper temperature
D. proper amount of time
b 5. When climbing a hill, shift the transmission to:
A. overdrive.
B. a lower gear.
C. a higher gear.
D. four-wheel drive.
d 6. On sharp curves or when turning corners, shift standard transmissions into:
A. overdrive.
B. a lower gear.
C. a higher gear.
D. four-wheel drive.
d 7. What should be used when fire apparatus must be driven over rough or rugged terrain?
A. Overdrive
B. Front-wheel drive
C. Rear-wheel drive
D. The lower gears
d 8. If the apparatus becomes stuck in mud or snow, DO NOT:
A. idle the engine or slip the clutch.
B. race the engine or slip the clutch.
C. idle the engine or pop the clutch.
D. race the engine or pop the clutch.
c 9. Which of the following should be selected before driving downhill?
A. Overdrive
B. A higher gear
C. A lower gear
D. Rear-wheel drive
a 10. To prevent engine damage, limit downhill speed to ___ maximum governed rpm.
A. lower than
B. higher than
C. the manufacturer's
D. 100 percent of the
Select facts about driving an automatic transmission apparatus. Write the correct letters on the blanks. (1 pt. each, 3/4)
1. Once the apparatus is ready to move, depress the ___ and move it to the appropriate gear selection.
A. gear shift
B. clutch pedal
C. start button lever
D. interlock on the shifter
2. Be aware that the ___ influences automatic shifting.
A. length of the clutch shifter
B. pressure placed upon the accelerator
C. pressure placed upon the clutch pedal
D. pressure placed upon the brake pedal
3. Manually select a lower gear as necessary when operating the apparatus at a slow speed for a long period of time or when:
A. using the PTO.
B. turning corners.
C. driving up a steep hill.
D. backing the apparatus.
4. Which of the following should NOT be attempted?
A. Downshifting at low rpm
B. Jumping more than one gear at a time
C. Starting the apparatus in low gear
D. Driving the apparatus in high gear for long periods of time
Recall information about cruising in a fire apparatus. Write the correct letters on the blanks. (1 pt. each, 6/8)
1. Once the apparatus is moving, how should the vehicle be accelerated?
A. Gradually
B. Rapidly into a higher gear
C. Smoothly into a lower gear
D. Rapidly to reach top rated engine rpm
2. Do not try to reach rated speed in the:
A. low gears.
B. high gears.
C. drive gears.
D. overdrive mode.
3. Stay in the highest gear that allows the apparatus to ___ and still have some power in reserve for acceleration.
A. lug
B. idle in neutral
C. keep up with traffic
D. reach 400 to 500 rpm
4. Attempt to maintain ___ control through correct throttling.
A. clutch
B. braking
C. engine rpm
D. engine temperature
5. What should be avoided in order to reduce lugging?
A. Overthrottling
B. Downshifting
C. Clutch burnout
D. Low-speed shifting
6. Do not allow the ___ if lugging does occur.
A. engine to overheat and stall out
B. apparatus to shimmy or lose traction
C. engine rpm to drop below peak torque speed
D. pressure to build up above peak torque speed
7. What should be done when ascending a steep grade and momentary unavoidable lugging takes place?
A. Manually shift into overdrive
B. Select progressively lower gears
C. Select progressively higher gears
D. Increase pressure on the accelerator
8. Avoid overspeeding as a result of improper downshifting or hill descent. Choose a gear that allows the engine to operate at ___ lower than maximum recommended rpm.
A. 100 or 200 rpm
B. 200 or 300 rpm
C. 300 or 400 rpm
D. 400 or 500 rpm
Answer questions about stopping, idling, and shutting down the apparatus. Write the correct letters on the blanks. (1 pt. each, 5/7)
1. Which of the following is NOT a consideration when stopping the apparatus?
A. Weight of apparatus
B. Length of apparatus
C. Condition of brakes
D. Condition of road surface
2. If the unit has a ___, become thoroughly familiar with all the manufacturer's recommendations regarding its operation prior to use.
A. STO
B. SAE
C. retarder
D. catalytic converter
3. Do not disengage the clutch until ___, particularly on slippery surfaces.
A. shifting to a lower gear
B. the brakes have been applied
C. the last few feet (meters) of travel
D. engine revolutions fall to at least 2,000 rpm
4. When the engine must be left to idle for an extended period of time, at what should the idle be set?
A. 300 to 400 rpm
B. 500 to 650 rpm
C. 700 to 900 rpm
D. 900 to 1,100 rpm
5. If diesel engines are to be left idling, they should be set at:
A. slow idle.
B. low idle.
C. high idle.
D. regular idle.
6. Never attempt to shut down the engine while the apparatus is in:
A. low gear.
B. motion.
C. neutral.
D. third gear.
7. Except when in an atmosphere containing flammable gases or vapors, never shut down immediately after full-load operation; instead, allow the engine temperature to stabilize by idling it ___ minutes before shutdown.
A. 1 to 2
B. 3 to 5
C. 5 to 8
D. 5 to 10
Select from a list guidelines for proper driver/operator attitude. Write an "X" on the line before each correct guideline. (1 pt. each, 3/4)
1. Develop a safety-conscious attitude.
2. Drive aggressively whenever driving to an accident scene.
3. Remain calm and drive in a safe manner.
4. Do not drive recklessly or aggressively.
5. Demand the right-of-way because you legally have it.
6. Strive to present a positive fire department image at all times.
7. Never yield the right-of-way.
Answer questions about apparatus rider safety. Write the correct letters on the blanks. (1 pt. each, 1/2)
1. Who is responsible for the safety of all personnel riding on the apparatus?
A. The fire chief
B. The firefighter
C. The mechanic
D. The driver/operator
2. When should riders of emergency vehicles ideally don protective gear?
A. When arriving at the scene
B. Before getting in the apparatus
C. While riding to the scene
D. Just before entering a burning building
Answer questions about loading large diameter (4-inch [100 mm] or larger) supply hose onto a moving apparatus. Write the correct letters on the blanks. (1 pt. each, 2/3)
1. In addition to the driver/operator, how many members are required in order to load large diameter hose?
A. At least one loading the hose and one acting as safety observer
B. At least two loading the hose and one acting as safety observer
C. At least one loading the hose and two acting as safety observers
D. At least two loading the hose and two acting as safety observers
2. What type of contact should safety observer(s) have with the driver/operator?
A. Voice communications only
B. Visual communications only
C. Both voice and visual communications
D. Only visual contact with the operation, not with the driver/operator
3. Which of the following statements about loading large diameter hose is TRUE?
A. The area in which the hose loading is performed must be closed to other vehicular traffic.
B. The area in which the hose loading is performed must be cleared and swept of any debris.
C. The apparatus must be driven in a backward direction at a speed no greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).
D. At least one member must be standing in the hose bed in order to have complete visual contact with the hose-loading operation.
Answer questions about backing the apparatus. Write the correct letters on the blanks. (1 pt. each, 2/3)
1. Which of the following statements about backing a fire apparatus is TRUE?
A. Whenever possible, the driver/operator should avoid backing the apparatus.
B. It is often faster to back the apparatus than to drive around the block and start again.
C. It is safer and easier to back the apparatus than to drive around the block and start again.
D. When backing is necessary, there should be at least two firefighters assigned to communicate with the driver/operator.
2. What should be done if a driver/operator does not have or cannot see the spotters?
A. Do not back the apparatus.
B. Proceed as usual, using mirrors to guide you.
C. Switch on the siren in order to warn others that the apparatus is backing.
D. Proceed more slowly than usual in order to reduce the possibility of a collision.
3. Some SOPs require the driver/operator to ___ before backing a vehicle that is not equipped with an alarm system to warn others that the apparatus is backing.
A. sound the siren
B. sound the horn twice
C. turn on emergency lights
D. sound the siren and turn on emergency lights
Select facts about defensive driving techniques. Write the correct letters on the blanks. (1 pt. each, 3/4)
1. What should be done when approaching a visually obstructed intersection?
A. Look right and left, and proceed as usual.
B. Bring the apparatus to a complete stop before proceeding slowly.
C. Proceed as usual if faced with a green signal light.
D. Slow the apparatus to a speed that allows a stop if necessary.
2. If departmental SOPs allow, what should be done at a red signal light?
A. Slow the apparatus to a speed that allows a stop if necessary.
B. Bring the apparatus to a complete stop and wait for the light to turn green.
C. Ensure that all lanes of traffic are yielding to the apparatus and proceed as usual.
D. Come to a complete stop and assure that all lanes of traffic are yielding to the apparatus before proceeding.
3. When is it advisable to drive into the opposing lane of traffic (if departmental SOPs allow)?
A. Anytime, as long as full warning devices are used
B. Anytime, as long as you are following law enforcement personnel
C. Whenever it is faster and more convenient than driving in normal traffic
D. When all lanes of traffic are blocked in the same direction as the responding apparatus
4. Which of the following defensive driving techniques is TRUE?