City of Orlando-Orlando Fire Department: 2018 Preparation Guide for the Firefighter Multiple Choice Test and Firefighter Skills Test
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City of Orlando—Orlando Fire Department:
2018 Preparation Guide
for the
Firefighter Multiple Choice Test
and
Firefighter Skills TestThe City of Orlando Fire Department’s New Hire Firefighter Eligibility examination process includes two
examinations:
Multiple Choice Written Exam, and
Firefighter Skills Test
Those candidates who pass the written exam and Firefighter Skills Test will be instructed to complete another
application and will then be placed on a newly created version of the Orlando Fire Department's Hiring
Eligibility List. Only candidates who pass both the 2018 written exam and Firefighter Skills Test will be placed
on this upcoming list. This eligibility list will serve as the list from which Firefighters are hired for
approximately the next year.
The purpose of this guide is to provide prospective individuals with information and direction in preparing for
these tests.
Written Multiple Choice Test
The written exam will consist of approximately 100 multiple choice questions, derived from two references:
Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations–Sixth Edition, ISBN 13 = 978-0-13-314080-4
Prehospital Emergency Care –Tenth Edition, ISBN 13 = 978-0-13-336913-7
Principles for Studying for the Test
Principle 1: Set goals.
1. Identify critical areas and devote more study time to those areas
2. Determine how often and how long to study
3. Assess your knowledge/abilities. Spend more time on your weak areas.
Principle 2: Use techniques specific for studying for a multiple-choice (recognition) test.
1. Recognize similarities, differences, and consequences within the materials.
2. Look for the most important information and take notes. This requires you to actively learn rather than
passively reading.
3. Try to anticipate what questions could be asked about the material and write down questions and answers.
4. Self-test immediately after reviewing a section of material to determine what you’ve learned. If you can’t
think of many important facts, you may have read the material but not learned anything.
5. Don't cram. It’s very important to get enough sleep in the days leading up to an exam. Adequate sleep
improves memory and performance. Distribute your studying over as much time as possible.
Principle 3: Study in complete units such as chapters. This helps you associate terms and concepts. When you see
them again you’ll know them by association.
Principle 4: Study in small blocks of time or whatever period of time works for you.
1. People differ in the length of time they can study effectively. Try 1-2 hours to start with and increase the
time until you determine your best strategy.
2. Take frequent breaks, every 30 minutes or at one half your established study time, for example.
3. Reward yourself during breaks. You want to associate studying with positive things rather than drudgery.
4. Leave the study site during breaks.
Principle 5: Make studying part of every day but study in different places.
Copyright © City of Orlando1. Make studying a function of habit – schedule a time and place.
2. Minimize distractions that draw your attention away from the material.
3. Minimize issues that reduce your focus. If you’re hungry, get a snack. Don’t study in front of the television
even if you have the volume low.
4. Research shows that it’s best to learn under circumstances that are similar to those in which you will be
recalling the information. For example, since the test will be given in a relatively quiet environment, it would
be best to study in a quiet atmosphere.
5. Varying the locations in which you study contributes to retaining information.
Principle 6: Form a study group. Individuals have strengths and weaknesses. You may not recognize your own
weaknesses but may note that others’ study questions are more difficult for you in some areas than your own.
This will point out where you need to place your study emphasis.
Principle 7: Review Frequently - This is particularly important in recognition learning.
1. Review after every few chapters.
2. Study in groups and quiz each other.
3. Review your notes.
Strategy to Improve Your Performance While Taking the Test
Principle 1: Listen to and read instructions on the exam booklet. Also note any procedures provided in the
instructions and follow them. You are encouraged to mark in the exam booklet and can make as many notes as
you like.
Principle 2: Carefully review the answer sheet and recording procedures. You need to be careful not to make stray
marks or frequent erasures on your answer sheet. Since your answer sheet is electronically scored, you need to
ensure its clear which single response you chose for each question.
Principle 3: Relax and preview the test. If you scan the exam it will help reduce your anxiety level.
Principle 4: If you know that you have “test-anxiety” there are many references available on the internet that can
help you overcome this problem. Here are a few general suggestions:
1. Review several items before answering the first one. If the first item seems difficult, it can increase your
anxiety.
2. After reviewing several, there will be one or two you know the answer to.
3. Answering those will reduce anxiety and help you settle down to the test more productively.
Principle 5: Beware of reading too quickly and assuming you know the answer.
1. Make sure you understand the question fully and read each choice carefully even if the first choice seems
correct.
2. In any set of answer choices, there is only one best answer but there are several choices called “distracters.”
These “distracters” may seem reasonable or would be correct in very specific situations but they are not the
best answer to the question.
3. Read the question very carefully and try to determine the correct answer before you look at the answer
choices.
4. If you read either the question or the answer choices too quickly you might miss an important word that
Copyright © City of Orlandochanges its meaning.
Principle 6: If don't know the answer, skip the question and come back to it later:
1. Sometimes the answer escapes you for a moment. By skipping, it gives you time to think of the answer even
if you’re reading other questions.
2. Sometimes other questions may give you a clue or spark your memory.
Principle 7: If you decide to skip a question or want to review it later:
1. Make marks in the test booklet so you don't spend time searching for items you wanted to answer later or
review before turning in your test.
2. Choose a different symbol for unsure and unmarked items so that if you run low on time you can answer
the ones you did not mark at all first. There is no penalty for guessing on this test.
3. Don't make these marks on the electronically-scored answer sheet.
4. If you’re still not sure of the correct answer, eliminate as many of the inappropriate answers as you can to
improve your odds of getting it right.
Principle 8 – Make sure you don’t run out of time.
1. You should have adequate time to complete the test if you don’t spend too long on any one question.
2. Wear a watch to the test and establish checkpoints for making sure you don’t run out of time. For example,
if you’re halfway through the time allotted for the test and you aren’t halfway through the questions, alter
your strategy so that you have time to attempt each question.
3. A common mistake is to spend too much time on one question assuming the answer will come to you. Skip
troublesome questions and come back to them if you have time after attempting all the rest.
Firefighter Skills Test
The Firefighter Skills Test (FFST) is a firefighter practical examination that is conducted internally by Orlando
Fire Department and Human Resources personnel. It is designed to evaluate the applicant’s ability to perform
important and physically challenging firefighter job tasks. Your performance on the test will be judged using
criteria similar to those used by the Florida Emergency Medical Training Standards and the Bureau of Fire
Standards and Training. Therefore, you must be able to perform the tasks with technical accuracy as well as
have the physical ability to perform successfully. The FFST consists of four (4) different skill stations:
1. Patient Assessment
2. Search and Rescue
3. Ladder & Equipment Relay
4. Hose Advance & Fire Streams
Each candidate will be outfitted with a loaner set of Bunker gear. An overview of the use & operation of the
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) will also be provided in this pre-examination briefing. A candidate
may bring and use his/her own set of gear to the exam, but it will be inspected for safety and compliance
before it will be approved for use.
Items worn during the FFST Weight
NFPA-compliant Bunker Gear: helmet, coat and pants each with liner, hood, leather gloves, boots 25 lbs.
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) 28 lbs.
Copyright © City of OrlandoItems Handled During the Exam
Rescue manikin 125 lbs.*
24 ft. extension ladder 74 lbs.
High rise pack 67 lbs.
100 ft. section of 1 ¾" hose (charged) 200 lbs.*
* Applicants will be dragging, not lifting, the manikin and the charged hose. The weight of the charged hose is
estimated.
Many candidates currently participate in routine traditional exercise programs, which contribute to healthy
living; however, such workouts do not necessarily address the performance needs of firefighting. The
following information has been created to identify some routine physical exercises which could help to
prepare candidates to successfully complete the physical skills assessment. The recommendations made are
general and require minimal resources. The guide is not a prescribed workout plan. It is intended for
consideration by individuals of varying base levels of fitness.
This Physical Preparation guide does not address the knowledge necessary to successfully complete portions
of the Firefighter Skills Test, nor does it represent the only methodology to gain or refine the skills needed to
successfully complete the Firefighter Skills Test. In addition, the City of Orlando retains the right to modify the
test at any time.
Station #1 – Patient Assessment
Station Overview:
This station is designed to test your ability to perform a patient assessment of a victim of an unknown
condition and appropriately “treat” all problems discovered. The patient will be located at ground level and you
will perform the assessment while kneeling. You must conduct your assessment as you would in the field based
upon your current level of certification (EMT or paramedic). As you conduct your assessment and treatment,
you should verbalize everything you are doing even as you are physically performing the task. Critical
information not obtainable by visual or physical inspection will be given to you after you demonstrate how
you would normally gain that information. You will be able to assume that you have two additional EMTs
working with you and that they are correctly carrying out any verbal orders or treatments you indicate.
Timing:
Each candidate will be given approximately five and one half minutes to complete this skill station.
Physical Preparation:
Although not as physically demanding as other portions of the examination, the patient assessment is
conducted while wearing full protective gear and is the start of a series of subsequent events. The protective
gear is cumbersome. To reduce fatigue, the use of proper body mechanics is necessary. Training should
include total body stretches that increase range of motion and increase flexibility.
Some examples of static stretches which should be held at least for one minute each are:
o narrow and wide stance folds leaning forward from the hips,
o seated folds leaning forward from the hips,
o alternating lunges,
Copyright © City of Orlandoo overhead reaching, and
o alternating torso rotations.
Station #2 – Search & Rescue
Station Overview:
In this station, you will be directed to don a self-contained breathing apparatus using the over-the-head
method or coat donning method. The total protective ensemble should be ready to enter a hostile
environment when you indicate that you are finished with the donning.
Timing:
Each candidate will be given approximately two minutes to complete this portion.
Station Overview:
After donning the equipment, you will be directed to enter and search a simulated apartment fire. You will
search the apartment using a right hand search. If you encounter a victim, you will remove the victim to a safe
area using an approved method. This station should be performed at the pace you would use if you were
actually performing as a firefighter during an apartment fire.
Timing:
Each candidate will be given a maximum of approximately nine minutes to complete this portion.
Physical Preparation:
This portion of the assessment will require flexibility, muscular endurance, and muscular strength. Emphasis
should be placed on the lower back, legs, and hand grip.
Examples of exercises which could be conducted as interval circuits include:
o bear crawls,
o squat jumps, and
o farmer’s walk (with relatively wide grips).
Station #3 – Ladder & Equipment Relay
Station Overview:
For the ladder portion, the candidate will lift and carry a 24’ fire service ladder off of a fire apparatus using an
approved shoulder carry. The candidate will go through a cone course consisting of a right and left hand turn,
and will place the ladder for climbing between two marks indicated on the building. When the fly section is
fully extended, the candidate will secure the fly section using a clove hitch with a safety and properly butt the
ladder for climbing.
Timing:
Each candidate will be given a maximum of approximately five minutes to complete this portion.
After the ladder has been checked by the assessor, the candidate will then lower the fly section and lay the
ladder on the ground next to the building. One of the assessors will be the safety person giving you a
countdown while lowering the ladder from the building.
Copyright © City of OrlandoStation Overview:
The next portion of this station will consist of the Equipment Relay. The candidate will lift and carry a 100’
hose load of 1 ¾” fire hose to the third floor of the building. Each step must be used both going up and down
the stairs. The candidate will place the hose load on the floor in the area indicated just inside of the door on
the third floor. The candidate will then pick up the hose load and carry it down the stairs, using every step, and
return the hose load to the starting location.
Timing:
Each candidate will be given a maximum of approximately three minutes to complete this portion.
Physical Preparation:
The ladder portion will require muscular endurance and muscular strength. Emphasis should be placed on
upper body (shoulders and upper back), core (abdominals and lower back), and hand grip.
Examples of exercises which could be conducted as interval circuits include:
o weighted shoulder presses,
o planks, and
o pull-ups / bar hangs.
The equipment relay portion will require cardiovascular / cardio-respiratory endurance, muscular endurance,
and muscular strength. Emphasis should be placed on lower body (legs) and hand grip.
Examples of exercises which could be conducted in intervals include:
o step-ups
o actual stair climbs while carrying weighted objects.
Station #4 – Hose Advance and Fire Streams
Station Overview:
The candidate will properly advance a 150’ charged 1 ¾” attack line a distance of 100’ to an area indicated as a
painted mark using an approved method. The candidate will then use the fire stream, while maintaining nozzle
control, to knock the cones off of the hoserolls – striking the center cone first, then the left cone second, and
the right cone last.
Timing:
Each candidate will be given a maximum of approximately three minutes to complete this portion.
Physical Preparation:
This portion of the assessment will require muscular strength and power and agility. Emphasis should be
placed on lower body explosiveness, core, and hand grip.
Examples of exercises which could be conducted as interval circuits include:
o sprints or long jumps,
o tire drags, and
o farmer’s walks
Copyright © City of OrlandoOverall Physical Preparation Notes
In preparation for the Firefighter Skills Test, all candidates should be able to perform rigorous activity while
wearing protective gear for the complete timeframe of the examination (approximately 30 minutes).
Dependent upon the base fitness and physical training experience level, it is recommended that candidates
gradually increase training intensity (whether number of sets, number of repetitions, increased resistance,
increased interval time) and timeframe while gradually reducing recovery periods until the maximum time
allotted is achieved with minimal transitional time.
Mental state / individual level of determination, proper nutrition, hydration, and recovery are all valuable and
necessary components of the training as well.
List of recommended exercises include:
Narrow stance fold stretch Weighted shoulder press
Wide stance fold stretch Planks
Seated fold stretch Pull-ups
Alternating lunge stretch Bar hangs
Overhead reaching stretch Step ups
Alternating torso rotation stretch Stair climbs
Bear crawls Sprints
Polymeric squat jumps Long jumps
Farmers’ walks Tire drags
Copyright © City of OrlandoPRE- AND POST FIREFIGHTER SKILLS TEST INFORMATION
Pre-Test Information
You will soon take the Firefighter Skills Test (FFST). If you have been sick, had a fever or the flu in the 10 days prior to
the test, or if you are sick now, you should not go through this test. Please let us know if you think you are too sick to
take the test. You should not take this test if you have taken cocaine, amphetamines or other legal or illegal drugs
recently. Taking the FFST may be hazardous to the health of someone in that category.
Medical Advisory
Candidates taking this test should be physically and medically fit. If you are not physically or medically fit or you have not
trained for this test, you increase your risk of suffering medical complications during or after the test. Some medical
conditions may increase your risk. Among these are:
Steroid Use Lung Disease
Muscular Disorders Liver Disease
High Blood Pressure Kidney Disease
Use of medicine to control blood pressure Diabetes Mellitus
Heart Disease Sickle Cell Disease
Infections Dehydration
Asthma Gastro-Intestinal Disorders (diarrhea, peptic ulcers)
Seizure Disorders Untreated Hypertension
Significantly overweight Electrolyte Abnormalities
Alcoholism History of heat stroke
Anemia
Use of drugs (e.g., stimulants, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, or prescribed medications)
Regular use of over-the-counter medication (such as all aspirin and aspirin-containing products as well as the non-
steroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as Advil, Nuprin, Haltran, Midol, and Trendar, to name a few)
The preceding listing of conditions is not intended to be a complete list of all the conditions which may place you at risk
if you take this test.
Post-Test Information
After taking the test you are advised to take the following steps:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Completely avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours.
3. Avoid the use of diuretics or any other medication that promotes dehydration for 24 hours.
4. Cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, ephedrine and related substances should be completely avoided.
5. Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours.
Although it is unlikely that any significant medical problems will develop, we ask you to watch for the following
warning signs:
1. Nausea and vomiting that persists beyond the first 6 hours after testing.
2. Feeling lightheaded, dizzy, confused, or disoriented, or having poor coordination shortly after leaving the test.
3. Trouble breathing after leaving the test site.
4. A change in the color of the urine to an unnaturally dark color (sometimes looking like blood or cola).
5. Decreased amounts of urine despite drinking lots of fluids.
6. Severe muscle tenderness that persists longer than 24 hours.
7. Weakness that persists beyond the first 24 hours.
If you develop any of these symptoms, please see a physician immediately. You should tell the physician that you
participated in this physical test and that candidates who participated in somewhat similar tests have developed kidney
failure and rhabdomyolysis. In addition, please notify the Training Division at (407) 246-2786.
Copyright © City of Orlando*Candidates participating in the Firefighter Skills Test will be required to sign the waiver listed below upon arrival to the
Firefighter Skills Test exam location.
City of Orlando Release For Firefighter Skills Test
Firefighting is a profession that often requires extreme physical exertion. The Firefighter Skills Test (hereinafter referred to as
"FFST") also requires physical exertion and may be hazardous to a person who is not physically fit. If you have a history of, or
have reason to believe that you have: heart trouble; chest pains; fainting spells or dizziness; bone or joint stiffness, pain, or
other problems of the bones or joints; respiratory difficulties; obesity; or any other medical or physical condition which
interferes with any physical exercise or exertion; you should seek medical advice before signing this document and
participating in the FFST. Moreover, if you have been instructed by a doctor to limit physical exercise in any way, you should
seek medical advice before signing this document and participating in the FFST.
Please read the following carefully before signing this document. In consideration for being allowed to participate in this
test, I hereby consent and agree to all the following terms and conditions:
I acknowledge that the Firefighter Skills Test is physically demanding and that I must be in excellent physical condition to
participate in the FFST. I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to determine my fitness to participate in the FFST and not the
responsibility of the City, nor any of its elected and appointed officials, officers, managers, employees, agents, servants, or any
person or organization acting on behalf of the City or under its direction. I acknowledge that the persons administering the
examination are not permitted to disqualify me because of any physical condition, and that they are not permitted to make
any determination regarding my ability to perform the tasks included in the FFST. I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to
decide to participate or not participate in the FFST.
I acknowledge that I have received a copy of the Pre-and Post-Firefighter Skills Test Information and have read it; that I have
read the description of the actual test, and that I have had an opportunity to consult with my own physician as to my fitness to
perform each task required by the FFST and have either done so, or not done so at my own discretion. I declare and represent
that I received and read the medical advisory information provided in the Pre-and Post-Firefighter Skills Test Information. I
further declare and represent that I am now in good health, that I am familiar with and understand the nature of the physical
test to be taken as part of my examination for employment with the City of Orlando, that I am physically and medically fit to
participate in this test, and that my personal attire is safe and fit for my participation in this test. With respect to all of these
matters, I assume the ordinary risks of injury with respect to participating in this test.
I, for myself, my heirs, executors, administrator, and assigns hereby and forever discharge, release and hold harmless the
City of Orlando, and all of its elected and appointed officials, officers, managers, employees, agents, servants, and anyone
acting on behalf of the City of Orlando or under its direction, from any and every claim, demand, action or right of action, of
any kind whatever, either in law or equity, arising from, or by reason of, any bodily injury or personal injury, known or
unknown, death, or property damage which I may suffer as a result of participating in the FFST whether due to negligence
or other cause. I understand that this release includes any claims based on the negligence, actions or inactions of any of the
above released parties and covers bodily injury and property damage before, during, or after such participation in the FFST.
If I am injured or become ill while taking this test or while present at the testing location, I will submit a written accident report
to the Examiner-In-Charge before leaving the testing location, unless the injury reasonably prevents me from doing so. In such
event, I will file an accident report as soon as I am physically capable. If I require medical treatment other than that which may
be available at the test site, and if I am transported to a hospital or other medical facility, I understand that I will be liable for
all costs incurred for this transportation and/or medical treatment.
I have read the above information and conditions, and I understand and agree to them. I voluntarily give my informed consent
to take part in the FFST. I certify that I am voluntarily signing this release.You can also read
