Certification Examination Practice

Illinois Emergency Vehicle Technician Certification Examination Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the primary purpose of a dielectric test on fire-fighting hoses?
• To test tensile strength
• To verify flexibility under load
• To check for electrical insulation breakdown
• To measure flow rate through the hose

Rationale: Dielectric testing ensures that hoses used around electrical

hazards maintain proper insulation and do not conduct electricity, which could endanger firefighters.

• During preventive maintenance of a pump panel, a technician sees oil

leaking around a pump coupling. What should be done first?

• Tighten all coupling bolts immediately 1 / 4

• Shut down the pump and inspect coupling seal condition
• Continue operating pump and note leak after shift
• Add more oil to the pump housing

Rationale: A leak around the coupling seal may indicate a seal failure;

continuing to run the pump could cause further damage or pump failure. Safe practice is to shut down and inspect before further operation.

• When inspecting the suspension system of a fire apparatus, what

component is most likely to indicate wear if the ride height is uneven?

• Leaf springs
• Shock absorbers
• Air springs (air bags)
• Sway bar links

Rationale: Uneven ride height often results from reduced air spring

pressure or leaks in an air-bag suspension, which must be inspected or recharged.

• On a diesel fire apparatus engine, white exhaust smoke on startup

typically indicates:

• Excess fuel injection
• Unburned fuel due to cold engine start
• Blown head gasket
• Oil burning in combustion chamber

Rationale: White smoke at startup on a cold diesel engine commonly 2 / 4

results from incomplete fuel combustion during cold start; it usually clears as the engine warms.

• Which of the following is the correct method to check wheel bearing

endplay on a fire truck wheel?

• Rotate the wheel while listening for noise
• Heat the hub and feel for expansion
• Lift the wheel slightly and rock it in and out
• Remove the wheel and inspect bearings visually

Rationale: Rocking the wheel side to side while lifted checks for

excessive play in wheel bearings, indicating wear or improper adjustment.

• The correct working pressure for a fire-fighting pump system as

specified by many manufacturers is typically:

• 50 psi
• 100–125 psi
• 150–175 psi
• 200–225 psi

Rationale: Most fire-fighting pump systems are rated to operate safely

between 100 and 125 psi; exceeding that can damage seals or plumbing.

• When servicing the chassis braking system, you notice a brake line

with surface corrosion. What is the correct action?

• Paint over the corrosion and reuse the line 3 / 4

• Replace the affected section of brake line
• Sandblast and recoat the line
• Ignore if the line shows no leaks

Rationale: Surface corrosion can weaken brake lines; replacing the

affected section ensures safety and structural integrity rather than risk failure under pressure.

• On an aerial ladder apparatus, what component prevents

over-extension beyond design limits?

• Ladder rung locks
• Manual stop bolts
• Electronic or mechanical limit switches
• Counterweight system

Rationale: Limit switches (or mechanical stops) are built into aerial

devices to prevent over-extension beyond safe design limits.

• While testing a scene light system on a fire vehicle, the light fails to

illuminate. You first check:

• The light bulb
• The circuit breaker or fuse
• The wiring harness for the bulb
• The ground connection at light housing

Rationale: A failed circuit breaker or blown fuse is a common simple

fault that should be checked before replacing bulbs or more complex diagnostics.

• / 4