PON fire quiz Survey

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* 1. Which of the following are likely to affect the behaviour of a fire?

The type and quantity of fuel available to it

Wind strength and direction

Ambient air temperature

Humidity

All of the above

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* 2. According to NSW Fire and Rescue, which of the following statements are true in relation to house fires in the state?

Electrical appliances and faults cause almost 40% of home fires.

Approximately half of home fires attended by Fire and Rescue started in the kitchen.

You’re twice as likely to die in a home fire if you don’t have a working smoke alarm.

All of the above

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* 3. Generally speaking, when does the Bush Fire Danger Period start in NSW? (NB: this can be varied by the RFS: always check.)

1 October

1 December

1 November

1 September

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* 4. Which of the following statements correctly expresses the difference between (a) lighting a pile burn on your block during the winter and (b) lighting one during the summer (the Bush Fire Danger Period)?

During the winter I can go ahead without asking for permission.

During the winter I need to apply for a Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Certificate. During the Bush Fire Danger Period I also need a fire permit.

There are no differences. All year round I just need a Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Certificate.

Regardless of the time of year I don’t need permission as long as my pile burn is at least 10 metres from any building.

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* 5. Who issues Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Certificates for the Pittwater area?

The NSW Rural Fire Service

Northern Beaches Council

NSW Police

Scotland Island Rural Fire Brigade

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* 6. How many days’ training is required if you were to join Scotland Island’s Community Fire Unit (CFU)?

Several weekends

One day, usually a Saturday or a Sunday

One weekend

A complete week, including several days off work

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* 7. Some of the following statements relate to Scotland Island CFU (Community Fire Unit) members, while others relate to island CFRs (Community First Responders). Which are true?

Although CFU members are welcome and encouraged to attend monthly training sessions, they are not obliged to do so.

As a CFU member you will be provided with a full kit of PPE (personal protective equipment, eg uniform, helmet, boots, etc). This will come free of charge.

Joining the CFRs does not require prior medical training.

If the island were ever threatened by a major bush fire then as a CFU member there will be no obligation to stay and defend if your preference is to leave early.

All of the above are true.

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* 8. If an Australian fire extinguisher has a white band around it and is marked with the letters ‘AB(E)’ (or ‘ABE’), what does that indicate?

It contains Halon (a vapourising liquid) and is suitable for most fires except for those involving cooking oils and fats. (The fumes may be dangerous in confined spaces.)

It contains a dry chemical powder and is suitable for a range of fires but not those involving cooking oils and fats.

It contains water and is only suitable for extinguishing fires caused by ordinary combustibles (wood, paper, plastics, etc.)

It contains foam, meaning that, unlike water, it is suitable for flammable and combustible liquids.

It contains carbon dioxide and is suitable for a number of fires apart from those caused by flammable gas.

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* 9. Imagine three residential blocks, each with an identical fuel load. Block A is flat, Block B is on a 10 degree slope and Block C has a slope of 20 degrees (not uncommon around Pittwater). Fires are simultaneously lit on each block. After 5 minutes the fire on Block A has spread out 1 metre in each direction from the point of ignition.

All else being equal, what might be a reasonable expectation of the spread of fire on Block B (the 10 degree slope) after the same length of time?

A spread of 4 metres uphill and 1 metre downhill.

A spread of 1 metre in all directions.

A spread of 4 metres uphill and 500 mm downhill.

A spread of 2 metres uphill and 500 mm downhill.

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* 10. What might be a reasonable expectation of the spread of fire on Block C (with a slope of 20 degrees) after the same length of time?

A spread of 1 metre in all directions.

A spread of 8 metres uphill and 1 metre downhill.

A spread of 4 metres uphill and 250 mm downhill.

A spread of 8 metres uphill and 500 mm downhill.