LAFD Firefighter Candidate Assessment Preparation

PSI offers two kinds of Firefighter Tests: The Firefighter Multimedia Assessment (FMA) and the Firefighter Selection Test (FST). Both tests measure basic skills that are required for firefighters. The FDNY and the LAFD use PSI Exams.

LAFD Sample Questions

 

Information Ordering

For this category, you will be shown several statements and must organize them in a logical way. Here's an example:

 

What is the logical order for these statements?

  1. Enter the room and locate the door.
  2. After clearing the window, sound the floor’s surface to confirm its integrity so it can hold your weight when you enter.
  3. Place a portable ladder at the window sill for quick entry.
  4. Make sure you have permission from the incident commander before you start the entry procedure.
  5. Check the hallway for the fire conditions and possible victims.
  6. After placing the ladder on the sill, clear the entire window of glass and remove all obstructions.
  7. Once you get permission wear full personal protective equipment.
4, 7, 3, 6, 2, 1, 5
3, 6, 2, 4, 7, 1, 5
3, 1, 4, 2, 6, 5, 7
4, 7, 5, 6, 2, 3, 1
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

The correct answer is 4, 7, 3, 6, 2, 1, 5.

Below you can see the right order of the sequence. Pay attention to the highlighted text, it helps us to understand the context between sentences. Every step contains a few words that give the sentence its meaning and main idea.

When you try to answer these kinds of questions, try to locate keywords that provide contextual information about the main idea of each numbered sentence. This will help you determine how the various steps relate to one another.

4) Make sure you have permission from the incident commander before you start the entry procedure.

7) Once you get permission wear full personal protective equipment.

3) Place a portable ladder at the window sill for quick entry.

6) After placing the ladder on the sill, clear the entire window of glass and remove all obstructions.

2) After clearing the window, sound the floor’s surface to confirm its integrity so it can hold your weight when you enter.

1) Enter the room and locate the door.

5) Check the hallway for the fire conditions and possible victims.

It's mentioned in step No.4 that you can't start the procedure before obtaining permission – "Make sure you have permission…before you start" therefore it has to be at the beginning of the sequence before any of the other steps, so answers 2 and 3 are eliminated.

You can't enter the room and check the hallway before you place the ladder to reach it; hence step 5 is certainly after step 3. Answer 4 is eliminated and we are left with answer 1.

Tip:
The answers imply that we are only able to choose step 4 or step 3 as the first one which reduces how many sentences we need to check. We only have 2 options to choose from, and that saves time and reduces the chances of choosing the wrong answer.

 

Understanding Information

This category is based on showing a short text, and answering a question about it. Try it:

Dealing with a personal fire
If your clothes catch fire don’t run around; you will fan the flames and make them burn faster. The correct thing to do is to lie down as this makes it harder for the fire to spread and reduces the effect of flames on your face and head (flames burn upwards), smother the flames, and cover the flames with heavy material, like a coat or blanket; this blocks the fire's source of oxygen. Roll around – rolling smothers the flames.
If your escape route is blocked:
If you’re on the ground floor, go out of a window – throw bedding or cushions onto the ground outside to break your fall. If you can’t open the window, use a heavy object to break it at the bottom corner and cover any jagged edges with clothing, a towel or a blanket. Lower children as far as possible before letting them drop. Get an adult to break their fall if you can. Lower yourself by your arms from the window ledge before dropping.
If you can’t get out, get everyone into one room: choose a room with a window and, if you can, put cushions, towels or bedding at the bottom of the door to block smoke; open the window and call for help. Think now about which room might be best for this – you need a window that can be opened and, if possible, a phone for calling 999.

According to the text, which of the statements is false?

Smash the window to allow the smoke to escape
Jagged edges of windows are dangerous
Call 999 in the event of a fire
Allow other people to help
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

The correct answer is 1.

This is the only option that is clearly untrue based on the text. The reason you have to smash a window is to allow people out, the subject of the passage, and not to let the smoke out.

LA Fire Department Test

To become a firefighter in LA, you must take the Firefighter Candidate Assessment (FCA). The FCA is provided by PSI. It is a computer-based exam with both video and audio components. The exam includes five portions, and you have a total of four hours to complete it. However, each portion of the FCA firefighter test is also individually timed. Once your time is up, you will be notified, and you will not be able to answer the remaining questions in that section.

The first three portions of the exam consist of video followed by questions based on that video. You also receive a training guide during the first three portions, which you may keep throughout the exam. After reviewing the training guide, you are presented with a video during which you are allowed to take notes. You may watch the video twice during the assessment. After the video, various types of questions will follow. The questions may be multiple-choice (with one or more answer options), audio, or matching.

The fourth portion of the LAFD exam requires you to read information and then answer questions based on that information. This section may include math questions.

The fifth portion of the exam is a background information survey. You will answer questions based on your personal and work experiences.

About the Los Angeles Fire Department

The Los Angeles Fire Department was founded in 1886 and employs around 3,500 firefighters. It is third in size only to the New York and Chicago fire departments, respectively. Due to the Los Angeles urban topography, firefighters there combat everything from wildfires, structural fires, and boat fires. 

Prepare for the Los Angeles Firefighter Exam

Firefighter candidates are constantly being evaluated. This is particularly true for applicants to the LAFD. Firefighter exams in California require training and preparedness to pass. JobTestPrep is working on creating a PrepPack™ so that you can rise to the top of the candidates list.

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