Memory Retention, Recall and Written Test

An on-call firefighter must be able to listen to, retain, process and understand information quickly.  This often involves following instructions without delay, safely in pressurised situations.

The following exercises will test your ability to retain and record information accurately.

For the first exercise, I will dictate information to you, which you are required to write down exactly as it is spoken.  Marks will be awarded for accurate recording of the information. The passage will be read through twice. The first time will be at a normal reading pace, the second time will be at dictation speed which is much slower. On the second reading, you will be expected to write down the passage that is being read out.

For the second exercise, you are required to listen to the information read out to you. You are not permitted to take notes whilst the information is read out.  When the reading is complete you will be required to answer ten questions about the information you have been given.

The answers are below both exercises - do not read until you have completed the exercise. 

Exercise 1 – Dictation Test

Exercise 2 – Memory Retention, Recall and Written Test

Questions:

1. What kind of incident was this?
2. Who declared a major incident?
3. Which road was affected?
4. How many properties were affected?
5. How many persons were rescued by the Service?
6. What equipment was in use?
7. Which other emergency service were in attendance?
8. What tactics were being used?
9. Which Agency was advising the Fire Service?
10. What was the command point known as?

The answers are below - do not read until you have completed the exercises.