Questions 126 - 150

Question 1

According to SOGs (SOG8.2 Bulk Solids Storage Facilities (SILOS) p1) - When referring to storage facilities describe-

Answer 1

• Bulk ; more than 4 tonnes (net), or more than 4 cubic metres of a substance, not in individual packages.
• Flatbed storage; a single level building or other structure designed for the storage of solids in bulk of more than 40 tonnes
• Ventilated; containers open to the atmosphere.
• Sealed; a grain container that has openings sealed to prevent oxygen from entering, sealed during fumigation and semi sealed at other times – includes semi sealed and oxygen limiting containers.

Question 2

According to SOGs - Standards Australia refers to Breathing Apparatus (BA) as supplied air respirators. Fire and Rescue NSW uses positive pressure supplied air respirators to provide the highest level of protection. Name and describe them. (SOG9.1 Use of Respiratory Protective Equipment p1)

Answer 2

 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA); (a device worn to provide breathable air in environments with oxygen deficiencies, smoke, dangerous gases and other airborne contaminants that may be otherwise dangerous to breathe.)
 Extended Duration Breathing Apparatus (EDBA); an SCBA set in twin cylinder configuration which allows firefighters to work for approximately twice the time as single cylinder SCBA
 Airline Respirator; an extension face mask with an airline supplied from a source of compressed air. These sources include;
- Air trolley breathing apparatus (ATBA): a mobile trolley with compressed air cylinders, a valve assembly and an airline connected to an extension mask.
- An independent SCBA set.
- SCBA worn by a firefighter. An extension facemask and airline worn by a second person which is attached to the auxiliary connection of an SCBA or EDBA set worn by a firefighter.

Question 3

According to SOGs - Decontamination is the process of removing contaminants from people and equipment to prevent further injury and reduce the spread of the contaminant. What are the three ways decontamination can be implemented. (SOG10.4 Decontamination p1)

Answer 3

 Standard Decontamination – implemented where there is no life at risk.
 Emergency Decontamination – implemented where there is a life at risk (a person is rescued from the hot zone), or an immediate response is required due to an accidental contamination.
 Mass Decontamination – implemented in an unexpected and dangerous situation which must be dealt with immediately where a group of people are contaminated.

Question 4

According to SOGs When dealing with radiological incidents, the first priority is to minimise the exposure to radiation while rendering the incident safe. What are the main considerations for protecting people at radiological incidents? (SOG10.9 Radiological Incidents p1)

Answer 4

 Time; minimise the duration of exposure
 Distance; maximise the distance from radiological source
 Shielding; maximise shielding between the radiological source and people

Question 5

According to SOGs - What are three types of radiation. (SOG10.9 Radiological Incidents Guideline Support Document)

Answer 5

 Alpha Radiation
 Beta Radiation
 Gamma Rays and X Rays

Question 6

According to SOGs - Materials that contain asbestos are known as asbestos containing materials (ACM). If asbestos is encountered at an incident, as far as practical, employ dust suppression tactics and leave ACM in situ. Provide three examples of dust suppression tactics. (SOG10.11 Asbestos p3)

Answer 6

 Keep lightly dampened down with a fog spray
 Apply a bonding agent e.g. foam blanket or coloured PVA/water mix
 Bag into marked asbestos containment bags

Question 7

Materials that contain asbestos are known as asbestos containing materials (ACM). There are generally two categories of ACM name and describe them. (SOG10.11 Asbestos p1)

Answer 7

 Friable; Any ACM that is in powder form, or that can be crumbled, pulverised, or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. Examples – loose fill insulation, pipe lagging, fire damaged ACM
 Non-Friable; Previously known as bonded. Any ACM that is not friable, including materials containing asbestos fibres reinforced with a bonding compound. (Non-Friable ACM that has been reduced to powder by fire or severe impact will become friable.) Examples – fibre cement sheeting, corrugated or moulded fibre cement, electrical switchboards.

Question 8

According to Standing Orders – The minimum number of new PIPs to be completed by each platoon yearly is? (Area Risk Management p142)

Answer 8

 A minimum of 4 new PIP’s a year must be completed by each platoon.

Question 9

According to Standing Orders - Why does FRNSW conduct hydrant inspections?

Answer 9

 Ensure hydrants work when needed
 Notify water authorities of problems with hydrants
 Familiarise crews with hydrants in their area

Question 10

According to the After-Action Review (AAR) Policy - AARs are held for the purpose of reviewing organisational performance, resulting in a series of observations, which are analysed to produce thematic insights. What timeframe should a Type 1 review be conducted?

Answer 10

 Immediate or as soon as possible; hot or immediate review conducted at the incident or upon return to the station, particularly if a safety issue has been identified.

Question 11

As stated in in the FRNSW Code of Conduct and Ethics - FRNSW has shared values with the NSW Government Sector. Name all the shared values.

Answer 11

 RESPECT (FRNSW only)
 INTEGRITY
 SERVICE
 COURAGE (FRNSW only)
 TRUST (Government only)
 ACCOUNTABILITY Government only)

Question 12

According to FRNSW Policy Managing Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy and Procedure - Any offer of a gift or benefit in excess of $50 or not token in nature, whether it is accepted or not, must be declared and registered with who? (7.1 Employee Obligations p6 of 17)

Answer 12

 Professional Standards

Question 13

According to the infection prevention and control manual - An infection occurs when another organism enters your body and causes disease. There are six main transmission routes, list four. (5.1.2 Methods of Transmission p5 of 49)

Answer 13

 Direct contact transmission with blood or bodily substances
 Indirect contact transmission
 Droplet transmission
 Airborne transmission

Question 14

According to SOGs - What is the unit of measurement for external radiation? (SOG10.9 Radiological Incidents Guideline Support Document p6 Radiation Dose)

Answer 14

 Sievert

Question 15

According to SOGs - The risk of developing asbestos related disease depends on many factors. List three factors. (SOG10.11 Asbestos Guideline Support Document p31)

Answer 15

 Concentration of Exposure; greater quantities of inhaled fibres will increase likelihood of developing disease.
 Duration of Exposure; the longer the duration you are exposed, the greater the likelihood of developing disease.
 Fibre Characteristics; the type of fibres inhaled have an effect on the likelihood of developing disease. Shorter straight fibres are more likely to be breathed deeper in to the lungs

Question 16

List and define the three zone systems as outlined in SOGs Scene Security. (SOG10.1 Guidelines for all Hazardous Materials p2)

Answer 16

 HOT ZONE – where no personnel enter until a DRA (Dynamic Risk Assessment) determines appropriate actions and level of PPE.
 WARM ZONE – where Fire and Rescue NSW conducts its operations.
 COLD ZONE – where the incident Control Point and support agencies are located and where the Police implement overall site control.

Question 17

According to SOGs - Operators of aged care facilities have emergency plans, which include a staged evacuation plan. List the stage numbers including the stage FRNSW would likely be involved. (SOG4.8 Aged Care Facilities Check Sheet p2)

Answer 17

 Stage 1 – Residents removed from immediate danger – evacuated to an adjoining room or corridor.
 Stage 2 – FRNSW LIKELY TO BE INVOLVED FROM THIS STAGE – residents removed from adjoining rooms and corridors away from the emergency (fire, smoke, gas) - evacuated to an adjoining fire or smoke compartment, or another floor below the emergency.
 Stage 3 – Residents completely evacuated from the building – evacuated to a nominated safe assembly area.

Question 18

According to SOGs - During bushfire operations safeguarding strategy is not fire suppression but can be used when defensive operations are not safe. Describe the actions taken in this strategy. (SOG3.1 Guidelines for Bushfires p2)

Answer 18

 Safeguarding Strategy – When offensive or defensive strategies are no longer viable with intense fires under the worst conditions, safeguarding;
- WARNS
- ESCORTS (moves)
- PROTECTS COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ENSURE THEIR SAFETY

Question 19

According to SOGs - At a high-rise structure fire, what area provides a safe location with building communications, control equipment and plans? (SOG4.5 High-rise Structure Fires p3)

Answer 19

 The Fire Control Room (FCR) provides a safe location with building communications, control equipment and plans.

Question 20

SOGs state - In some cases, mostly at larger structures and complexes it may not be appropriate to turn off power to the entire structure. List three of these structures or complexes. (SOG14.2) Isolating Power Checklist p2 Factors to Consider)

Answer 20

 Industrial Complexes – some processes may be difficult to shut down
 High-rise Building – lights or lifts may be needed for evacuations.
 Health Care Facility – life sustaining equipment may be in use.

Question 21

According to the FRNSW smoke alarm installation procedure - When installing a smoke alarm in a residential dwelling, what is the most suitable fixing method to attach to surfaces. (7.2 Mounting with double sided tape)

Answer 21

 A smoke alarm is to be mounted using only heavy-duty 3M brand Part No. 4950 double – sided tape available through ESCAT (Cat no. 7930).

Question 22

Suspicious substance incidents (including suspicious package incidents) are multi-agency incidents. FRNSW, the NSW Police Force and the Ambulance Service of NSW have developed multi-agency procedures to provide emergency services personnel with the knowledge, skills, and ability to ensure a consistent and safe approach for management and resolution of suspicious substance incidents. The level of risk can be identified by a colour. What are these colours?

Answer 22

 RED – HIGHEST RISK INCIDENT
 BLUE – MEDIUM RISK INCIDENT
 GREEN – LOW RISK INCIDENT

Question 23

Sexual Harassment is against the law and never acceptable. FRNSW adopts the legal definition of sexual harassment as per the Anti- Discrimination Act 1977. What constitutes sexual harassment as described in the Act? (Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy p5)

Answer 23

 The Anti Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) defines sexual harassment as a person making an unwelcome sexual advance, or an unwelcome request for sexual favours, or engaging in other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in relation to the other person in circumstances in which a reasonable person, having regard to all the circumstances, would have anticipated that the other person would be offended, humiliated or intimidated.

Question 24

According to the procedure, list the requirements regarding qualifications for a full or part change of shift. (Procedure - Arrangements for full or part change of shift p2)

Answer 24

 Replacement firefighters must have similar qualifications required to meet the needs of the position being filled on the particular shift, e.g. rescue, hazmat, pumper or aerial operator qualifications.
 Duty Commanders can refuse applications for part or full change of shift if the replacement firefighter does not have the required qualifications.

Question 25

According to the procedure, arrangement for a full or part change of shift- The applicant must submit the form to their Station Commander or Supervisor at least how many hours in advance?

Answer 25

 AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE