In fire operations, what term is used for a small team of firefighters working without self-contained breathing apparatus and led by a designated supervisor?

• A. A Company
• B. A Crew
• C. A Unit
• D. A Squad

Answer: (B)

This item tests how fire service terminology describes a small, supervisor-led team operating on a task. A small, supervisor-led group that works without SCBA is called a crew. The idea is that a crew is a focused, mission-specific team within the incident, designed to perform a defined job under a designated supervisor.

Think of it as the difference between a smaller, task-focused team and the larger organizational unit. A company typically refers to the larger unit associated with an engine or ladder company, capable of broader tactics and roles. A squad is another term some departments use for a particular sized group, and a unit is a more general label for any organizational element. The description given—small, supervised, and operating without SCBA—fits the concept of a crew.