Technical Knowledge
70 multiple-choice questions, closed book, based on the rank’s official reading list.
Study the assigned portions of the specified editions. Observe the reading list’s page, chapter, and title-wide exclusions.
Massachusetts · Civil service promotion
Fire Lieutenant preparation
Study the assigned reading, then practice evaluating an officer’s decisions.
Your assigned reading
Use the specified editions and mark an assignment after reading it and recalling its main points without notes. Open each title for its exact assignment and exclusions.
HRD reading list amended November 17, 2025. Page numbers refer to the assigned printed edition; the heading boundaries help locate exclusions in other formats.
Open the official Lieutenant reading list (PDF)Loading progress…reading assignments checked
Saved in this browser on this device. Each rank has its own checklist.
Use a repeatable study routine
- Read the assigned portion and respect both the chapter exclusions and the title-wide exclusions.
- Close the book. Explain the main ideas, distinctions, and procedures in your own words.
- Reopen the text to correct gaps. Write a short question and its source page for anything you missed.
- Revisit those questions in a later session and mix subjects before a closed-book review.
Building Construction Related to the Fire Service4th edition · 2016 · 0/10 checked
IFSTA / Fire Protection Publications
Assigned: Chapters 2–11, with the exclusions below.
Exclude throughout this title: Case histories; Formulas; Figures; Tables.
Exclude:
- Pages 56–61: “Laboratory-Tested Data” up to end of chapter.
Exclude:
- Pages 74–79: “Seismic Loads” up to “Structural Accommodations for Loads”.
Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 1Exclude:
- Pages 141–145: “Testing Interior Finishes” up to “Ceilings”.
- Pages 162–165: “Fire Door Maintenance” up to end of chapter.
Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 1Exclude:
- Pages 195–202: “Quality Control of Lumber” up to “Wood Structural Systems”.
Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Exclude:
- Pages 264–266: “Quality Control of Concrete” up to “Fire Resistance of Concrete Construction”.
Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Emergency Response Guidebook2024 edition · 0/1 checked
U.S. DOT / PHMSA
Assigned: White pages only.
Exclude throughout this title: All colored pages.
Exclude:
- All colored pages are excluded from this reading assignment.
Fire and Emergency Services Company Officers6th edition · 2019 · 0/11 checked
IFSTA / Fire Protection Publications
Assigned: Chapters 1–11, with the exclusions below.
Exclude throughout this title: Appendices; Glossary; Canada references; Case Studies boxes; Safety Alert boxes; Information boxes; Review boxes; What This Means to You boxes; Metric conversions; Skills sheets; Figures; Case studies.
Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Exclude:
- Pages 34–44: “County” up to end of chapter.
Exclude:
- Pages 55–56: “Emotional Intelligence and Career Excellence” up to “Supervision”.
Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Exclude:
- Pages 98–106: “Nonverbal Components of Interpersonal Communication” up to “Document Writing Guidelines”.
Exclude:
- Pages 134–156: “Community Risk Reduction” up to end of chapter.
Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Exclude:
- Pages 207–233: start of chapter up to “Fire Dynamics”.
- Pages 245–261: “Reaction of Building Construction to Fire” up to end of chapter.
Exclude:
- Pages 274–286: “Hazardous Materials Identification” up to “Preincident Survey Process”.
Exclude:
- Pages 331–345: “Property and Environmental Conservation” up to end of chapter.
Fire Officer’s Handbook of Tactics5th edition · 2019 · 0/8 checked
Fire Engineering Books
Assigned: Chapters 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, with the exclusions below.
Exclude throughout this title: Case histories; Figures; Tables.
Exclude:
- Pages 23–29: “Construction” up to “Location and Extent of the Fire”.
Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Read this chapter, applying the title-wide exclusions above.
Reading-list source: page 2Exclude:
- Pages 160–164: “Ladders 4” up to “Laddering”.
Exclude:
- Pages 201–204: “The Police Lock” up to “Mortise Locks”.
Exclude:
- Pages 263–266: “The Roofs Team’s Observations” up to end of chapter.
Exclude:
- Pages 267–268: start of chapter up to “Primary and Secondary Search”.
- Pages 270–274: “Thermal Imaging Cameras (TICs)” up to “Emergency Maneuvers”.
Your checklist records reading activity, not an exam-readiness score. Use your own books; this plan does not contain a technical-knowledge multiple-choice question bank.
Situational judgment practice
Rate each proposed action on its own. You may use a rating more than once, and you do not have to use all four ratings. Use only the facts in the scenario.
Original CTS learning exercises and coaching ratings. These are not official HRD or Talogy items or scoring keys, and results do not predict an examination score.
An incomplete handover
At a routine shift change, Lieutenant Ellis finds that a required inventory check is marked complete, but the attached count sheet is blank. The outgoing firefighter says the check was interrupted and offers to finish it now. Department procedure requires an actual count and a completed sheet before the check may be recorded as complete. There is no emergency assignment in progress.
1 · Highly ineffectiveVery likely to make matters worse or leave the issue unresolved.
2 · IneffectiveUnlikely to resolve the issue, or likely to make it worse.
3 · EffectiveLikely to help or address part of the issue.
4 · Highly effectiveVery likely to help or address most or all of the issue.
The 2026 examination format
The January 2026 candidate guide describes a computer-based session with Technical Knowledge (TK) followed by Situational Judgment (SJT). The following details apply to that cycle.
Situational Judgment
10–15 scenarios, with 4–6 actions to rate per scenario.
Judge each action’s effectiveness independently. Consider the stated facts and any policy information supplied in the scenario.
One continuous session: 3 hours, 5 minutes
The guide recommends this allocation within the single timed session:
- Initial instructions
- 10 min
- Technical Knowledge
- 105 min
- SJT instructions
- 10 min
- Situational Judgment
- 60 min
Source: candidate preparation guide, printed pages 3–5 (PDF pages 4–6). Timing guidance is an allocation within the overall limit, not separate stopped clocks.
Six judgment competencies
Accountability
Apply expectations fairly, keep accurate records, and address problems promptly.
Adaptability
Adjust to changing conditions while remaining composed and professional.
Analyzing and Deciding
Check relevant facts, compare alternatives, and make a timely, supported decision.
Developing Self and Others
Seek feedback, identify learning needs, and build a practical improvement plan.
Interpersonal Interactions
Listen, handle disagreement constructively, and maintain respectful working relationships.
Leadership
Set clear goals, assign work, use available resources, and check progress.
Competency summaries adapted from the guide, printed pages 3–4. The practice tab uses original CTS scenarios.
Experience, Certification, Training & Education (ECT&E)
The 2026 HRD examination notice also requires a separate ECT&E claim. Read the rank-specific claim instructions, scoring guide, and documentation requirements on HRD’s site. Confirm the deadline and your department’s examination posting directly with HRD.
Completing this study plan does not submit a claim or determine eligibility, examination credit, or promotion.
HRD examination notice and ECT&E resourcesOfficial documents
- Fire Lieutenant reading list, amended November 17, 2025 (PDF)
- HRD preparation guides: select the 2026 Fire Lieutenant and Captain candidate guide and ECT&E materials
- 2026 Fire Lieutenant & Captain examination notice
Reading scope and format reviewed October 4, 2026. The April 7, 2026 exam has passed; future announcements may change the format or assigned references. CTS is an independent preparation provider and is not endorsed by HRD or Talogy.