House Fire Incident

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WHAT IS THE HOUSE FIRE INCIDENT?
The model used for the MPS House Fire follows the same approach as described for the Apartment Fire Incident, with an emphasis on establishing objective, fair scoring of the exercise for all candidates. The structure is a two-story house of wood construction. The exercise consists of two parts, which correspond to two phases of the incident. Candidates for first-level supervisory positions take Phase I only; candidates for higher level jobs take both. Pictures and diagrams are provided, along with a listing of all on-scene equipment and personnel. Candidates play the role of the Incident Commander. During each phase, the times at which various events take place, including incoming reports by fire fighters or officers, are listed. Candidates must review the available information and determine the actions they would take, including all orders they would give.

POSITIONS USED FOR?
The House Fire consists of two phases. Use Phase I for first-level supervisors (i.e. fire lieutenant or captain). Use both phases for battalion chiefs.

HOUSE FIRE INCIDENT USED FOR:
>>>>• Fire Lieutenant or Captain (Phase I only)
>>>>• Fire Battalion Chief (Phases I & II)

TEST FORMAT
The House Fire is a written simulation exercise. It consists of two parts, which correspond to two phases of the incident. In Phase I, candidates are told they are the Incident Commander and arrive along with first alarm companies . In Phase II, candidates are told to assume that someone else was in charge during Phase I, and that they arrive at a later point and are the highest ranking officer on the scene. In each phase, pictures are provided showing the fire and smoke, diagrams of the area are given, and the resources on scene are listed. Candidates are then given reports of on-scene fire fighting activities and observations by fire fighting personnel, just as they would receive them during an actual fire. Candidates must specify their strategy and tactics, detail all actions they would take, and all orders they would give. Candidates are given 80 minutes to complete Phase I, and 100 minutes to complete Phase II.

SCORING AND REPORTING OF RESULTS
MPS does all of the scoring for you. Results are reported in the form of a rank-ordered list of the candidates. In addition, individual feedback reports, identifying percentile standing relative to others who have taken the test, as well as Developmental Assessment Scores that pinpoint improvement areas, are provided.