Essentials 4th edition or Delmar Firefighter's Handbook?

[SWLAFireDawg]

OK, I guess I am looking for an opinion here.

I have been studying Essentials of Firefighting 4th Edition in preparation for my certification, but I came across a sample test based off of the Delmar FireFighter Handbook, and it seemed considerably more in depth. Now I am not quite sure that I have the best material for study.

Should I go ahead and purchase the Delmar book as well, or just stick with what I have.

The certifying agency (Louisana State University) has used the slides and material from the essentials book in every class I have attended. I can only assume that means their test material will come from the essentials book. However, I don't want to get caught short, and if I can learn more from Delamr I don't mind reading it as well.

What are your ideas on this matter?

[KenNFD1219]

You should stick with the book used in the class. It is highly unlikely the certifying agency would use one publishers book for the course and another for the exam.

You should have a list of reference books for the exam, such as IFSTA Essentials, 4th edition, Fire Ground Support, 1st edition, etc.

[SWLAFireDawg]

It did give a list, and the Delmar book was on it...........:confused:


IFSTA Fire ose Practices, 8th edition was also........


And NFPA 1001. I need a copy of that one.

[mcaldwell]

If you're talking about an NFPA 1001 cert, you are fine with any or all of those books.

The 1001 cert is the core information and skills that you will be tested on, and those core competencies must be found in any approved manual such as IFSTA, Delmar, Jones & Bartlett, etc...

Now each publisher goes further (to help sell thier product) with thier own anecdotal information, and examples of policy, procedure, and real-life incidents. This is all bonus material, but a true NFPA 1001 exam will not test you on it.

Study one manual unless you are told otherwise. Remember that you are studying those CORE competencies.

Once you get certified, it is reccommended that you borrow a copy of the others and give them a read, as they do usually contain some useful extra info. But unless LA is drawing it's testbank from those particular documents, don't sweat the differences.

[SWLAFireDawg]

If you're talking about an NFPA 1001 cert, you are fine with any or all of those books.

The 1001 cert is the core information and skills that you will be tested on, and those core competencies must be found in any approved manual such as IFSTA, Delmar, Jones & Bartlett, etc...

Now each publisher goes further (to help sell thier product) with thier own anecdotal information, and examples of policy, procedure, and real-life incidents. This is all bonus material, but a true NFPA 1001 exam will not test you on it.

Study one manual unless you are told otherwise. Remember that you are studying those CORE competencies.

Once you get certified, it is reccommended that you borrow a copy of the others and give them a read, as they do usually contain some useful extra info. But unless LA is drawing it's testbank from those particular documents, don't sweat the differences.

:D Thanks....I think I'll save the money, and if the test has some info I don't recognize, then I'll take in the other books. I don't plan to fail though.

[Bones42]

It is highly unlikely the certifying agency would use one publishers book for the course and another for the exam.
Welcome to NJ. 2 years ago, the state switched all FF1 classes to the Delmar Edition, with a "customized" NJ Addendum. However, the written test is still based on Essentials 4th edition. There are enough terminology differences that the test is much more difficult than it should be.

Rumor has it that NJ is now finally using the Delmar tests to go with the Delmar curriculum.


I know my instructor II test a few months ago was still based of Essentials and not Delmar.

NJDFS - New Jersey Division of F@cked Up $h@t. (Division of Fire Safety) :D

[SWLAFireDawg]

It may very well be the terminology that is making the Delmar material seem more in depth than the essentials. I feel comfortable that I understand the material, and I try to understand it more than just memorize it.

[ALSfirefighter]

I actually prefer the Jones & Bartlett/IAFC "Fundamentals of Firefighter Skills."

However Delmar is a close second and NY State is switching to Delmar for delivery of firefighter 1 and 2.

I don't think you would have much of a problem, with the exception is the chapter layouts are a little different that IFSTA's in location. Otherwise the information is all the same and IMO and to some extent its obvious...there is more info that is more current that what IFSTA can offer.

[doughesson]

Take the test on what your class is using for study.Buy the other books for reference since this is a line of work where any information will be useful when you least expect it.

[kswartz79]

I have the IFSTA and the Delmar manuals, and I think they're both solid books. Certainly can't hurt reading both of them.

IMO, if your instructors are squared-away, you'll be fine.

[SWLAFireDawg]

A lot of what I am doing is self study. The 'classes" I speak of are the NFPA 1403 awareness classes.

[Kodiac21]

I am in FFI right now in NJ and we're using the Delmar book. The test they tell us is made yearly too straight out of the book...