Fire Apparatus Driver-Operator - Pumper
Module 3
Knowledge Check 1
Identify the best definition for a characteristic of a fire apparatus. - answerA. An
individual personality - each apparatus may perform, react, and handle differently. -
Correct Answer
B. An individual personality - each apparatus' characteristics are determined by the
driver.
C. A model personality - all apparatus within a specific model will react similarly.
D. A model personality - all apparatus within a specific model will react differently.
Reaction Distance - answerThe distance a fire apparatus travels while a driver/operator
transfers his/her foot from the accelerator to the brake pedal after perceiving the need to
stop.
Braking Distance - answerThe distance a fire apparatus travels from the time the brakes
are applied until the fire apparatus comes to a complete stop.
Total Stopping Distance - answerThe sum of the driver/operator reaction distance and
the fire apparatus' braking distance (the need to stop and when the fire apparatus
actually is stopped).
Knowledge Check 2
Below are four situations that pertain to controlling our fire apparatus. Identify each
situation as either safe or hazardous by selecting the appropriate answer. - answerA.
Picture of inside a water tank with baffles - Safe
B. Picture of Engine in fog - Hazardous
C. Picture of Engine driving in rain - Hazardous
D. Picture of speedometer showing 80 MPH - Hazardous
Knowledge Check 3
, All of the following statements about approaching an intersection are true EXCEPT: -
answerA. You should always drive at a speed where you can come to a stop, if
necessary, even if it slows you down.
B. You should make eye contact with other drivers to make sure that they see you.
C. You should run a stop sign to save time if you can see that there is no other traffic. -
Correct Answer
D. You should stop at all red traffic signals even if you lose time.
Transmission Gear Selection Criteria - answerGear Drive, 5, or 1-5
Normal load, grade, and traffic conditions with open road ahead
Gear 4 or 1-4
Moderate grades and over-the-road operation with moderate speeds
Gear 3 or 1-3
Operating in heavy traffic
Gear 2 or 1-2
Need for speed control requiring a hold condition such as descending a steep grade or
operation on rough terrain
Gear 1
Starting gear for initial forward movement
Lugging - answerUsually occurs in manual transmission as opposed to automatic
transmissions. Lugging occurs when the engine is placed in a gear that is too high for a
particular situation (e.g., trying to drive up a hill in fourth gear when you should be in
second gear). The engine does not have enough power and cannot respond to the work
being asked for.
Knowledge Check 4
Match each situation with the appropriate gear by selecting the appropriate numbers to
the conditions on the left.
A. On open roads
B. Driving down hills
C. Entering intersections
D. On gravel roadway
E. Climbing hills - answerLow Gear
Module 3
Knowledge Check 1
Identify the best definition for a characteristic of a fire apparatus. - answerA. An
individual personality - each apparatus may perform, react, and handle differently. -
Correct Answer
B. An individual personality - each apparatus' characteristics are determined by the
driver.
C. A model personality - all apparatus within a specific model will react similarly.
D. A model personality - all apparatus within a specific model will react differently.
Reaction Distance - answerThe distance a fire apparatus travels while a driver/operator
transfers his/her foot from the accelerator to the brake pedal after perceiving the need to
stop.
Braking Distance - answerThe distance a fire apparatus travels from the time the brakes
are applied until the fire apparatus comes to a complete stop.
Total Stopping Distance - answerThe sum of the driver/operator reaction distance and
the fire apparatus' braking distance (the need to stop and when the fire apparatus
actually is stopped).
Knowledge Check 2
Below are four situations that pertain to controlling our fire apparatus. Identify each
situation as either safe or hazardous by selecting the appropriate answer. - answerA.
Picture of inside a water tank with baffles - Safe
B. Picture of Engine in fog - Hazardous
C. Picture of Engine driving in rain - Hazardous
D. Picture of speedometer showing 80 MPH - Hazardous
Knowledge Check 3
, All of the following statements about approaching an intersection are true EXCEPT: -
answerA. You should always drive at a speed where you can come to a stop, if
necessary, even if it slows you down.
B. You should make eye contact with other drivers to make sure that they see you.
C. You should run a stop sign to save time if you can see that there is no other traffic. -
Correct Answer
D. You should stop at all red traffic signals even if you lose time.
Transmission Gear Selection Criteria - answerGear Drive, 5, or 1-5
Normal load, grade, and traffic conditions with open road ahead
Gear 4 or 1-4
Moderate grades and over-the-road operation with moderate speeds
Gear 3 or 1-3
Operating in heavy traffic
Gear 2 or 1-2
Need for speed control requiring a hold condition such as descending a steep grade or
operation on rough terrain
Gear 1
Starting gear for initial forward movement
Lugging - answerUsually occurs in manual transmission as opposed to automatic
transmissions. Lugging occurs when the engine is placed in a gear that is too high for a
particular situation (e.g., trying to drive up a hill in fourth gear when you should be in
second gear). The engine does not have enough power and cannot respond to the work
being asked for.
Knowledge Check 4
Match each situation with the appropriate gear by selecting the appropriate numbers to
the conditions on the left.
A. On open roads
B. Driving down hills
C. Entering intersections
D. On gravel roadway
E. Climbing hills - answerLow Gear
