Fire lieutenant: written exam, tactical simulation and Fire Officer I

Typical components

• A written exam on a reading list: department SOGs, a company officer text and often fire behavior, building construction and hydraulics references.
• A tactical simulation: you arrive first-due at a structure fire (often on video) and give a size-up, initial radio report, strategy, assignments and follow-up reports.
• An oral interview or personnel exercise, such as counseling a firefighter about tardiness or a conflict on shift.
• Many departments also require or prefer Fire Officer I certification under NFPA 1021, and sometimes Instructor I.

Tactical simulation: a reliable order

• Initial radio report: unit, arrival, building description, conditions, actions, command mode and command name, plus requests.
• 360 report and size-up: life hazard, fire location and extent, building construction, flow path, exposures.
• Strategy and tactics: offensive or defensive, first-line placement, search priorities, ventilation coordination, RIT.
• Accountability, PAR, benchmarks and a transfer of command when the chief arrives. Practice until it is automatic.

The written exam

Use your department's SOGs as the primary source. Many questions are lifted almost directly from them.

Pair each chapter of the company officer text with flashcards and a short self-quiz. Adaptive question banks can help; see the neutral comparison in the prep-course guide.

Station leadership

Expect questions about training plans, station maintenance, EMS quality, inspections and harassment or bullying complaints. The answers lean on policy, fairness, documentation and early notification of your captain or battalion chief.

Reading to gather

• Department SOGs
• A current company officer textbook on your list
• NFPA 1021 (fire officer professional qualifications)

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