2026 Battalion Chief's Exam Study Guide
Welcome
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Important Dates
These dates are tentative and subject to change.
| Application Period Opens: | July 10, 2026 |
| Application Period Closes: | July 31, 2026 |
| IOS Exam Orientation: | October 6 - 7, 2026 |
| Written Test: | November 17, 2026 |
| Written Test Item Review: | November 18 - 20, 2026 |
| Assessment Center: | January 18 - 22, 2027 |
Documents
These documents may be found in other locations, however they may be updated or outdated. It is the candidate's responsibility to know the version found on this exam study guide.
Administrative Regulations
- AR 45.50 - Private Use of City Labor, Equipment, Materials and Supplies Prohibited
- AR 75.12 Vehicle and Industrial Accident Review
- AR 90.62 - Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use
- AR 95.60 - Conflict of Interest and Employee Conduct
- AR 95.55 - Procurement Card Procedures
- AR 95.94 - Tobacco and Smoke-Free Workplace Policy
- AR 96.50 - Equal Employment Opportunity Policy and Complaint Resolution Procedures
- AR 97.10 - Threat Management Policy
Bulletins
2020
- 20-019 (06-20) Respect in the Workplace
- 20-029 (02-20) Updated 2020 Supervisor’s Accident and Injury Investigation Report
- 20-033 (03-20) Green Sheet – Cal Fire Camp Incident -– Burn Injuries
- 20-046 (03-20) Post Fire Gross Decontamination Kit
- 20-053 (04-20) Incident Review – Winch Cable Break
- 20-070 (05-20) Safety Alert – Butane Honey Oil
- 20-136 (08-20) SAFETY ALERT - Pier Incident – Explosion and TBI
- 20-173 Vehicle Home Unit Inspections
- 20-190 (10-20) Green Sheet – Pier Incident – USS Bonhomme Richard
- 20-232 (12-20) First Responder Invasion of Privacy Policy
2021
- 21-002 (01-21) Offensive Displays in the Workplace
- 21-003 (01-21) Serious Injury and Line-of-Duty-Death Policy Update
- 21-025 (02-21) Incident Review – Groveland Incident
- 21-031 (02-21) Clean Cab Program
- 21-061 (04-21) Multi-Unit Alert Tone Change
- 21-088 Green Sheet - Chula Vista Fire Department - Action Footwear Incident
- 21-128 Water Tender Response Guidelines
- 21-143 Green Sheet- Cal Fire Rancho Incident
- 21-145 Green Sheet - Commerce Incident
- 21-155 Incident Reporting Forms
- 21-191 Changes to Dispatch Protocols for Beach Fires
2022
- 22-014 Transportation of Patients on Fire Apparatus
- 22-015 Implementation of Knox FDC Locking Caps
- 22-043 New Hygenall Decontamination Products
- 22-108 Company Officers Adding Themselves to Incidents
- 22-110 PPE Cleaning Program - Update
- 22-133 Incident Review - Clairemont Incident
- 22-160 PPE Modifications
- 22-195 Charging Personal Electric Vehicles at City Facitities
2024
- 24-006 Green Sheet - Blacks Beach Capsized Vessel Incident
- 24-036 Red Tag - Unsafe Structure Reporting System
- 24-057 Municipal Airport Communication Procedures
- 24-067 Digitizing the Incident Rehabilitation
- 24-097 Fire Season Updates 2024
- 24-103 Battalion SCBA Loaner Program REVISED
- 24-111 Tailboard Safety - CNG - LPG Fires
- 24-112 Non-Essential Use of Personal Protective Equipment - PFAS
- Bulletin 24-129 Green Sheet - LAFD Truck-RV Fire - Firefighter LODD
- Bulletin 24-149 OneSD Time Entry Expectations and Procedures
- Bulletin 24-158 Introduction of Communications-On-the-Move
- Bulletin 24-187 Damaged or Missing Equipment
- Bulletin 24-197 Green Sheet - LAFD Helicopter Emergency
2025
- 25-038 New SDFD Stores Requisition Form
- 25-040 New Pay Code - Off Duty Communication Pay (0152)
- 25-063 Training Prop at FS10 & FS38
- 25-103 Green Sheet - Sacramento FD - Electric Vehicle Fire
- 25-129 Proper Use of the Minor Injury Report
- 25-138 Green Sheet - CalFire Border 79 Incident
- 25-143 Green Sheet - CalFire Canyon Incident
- 25-157 Changes to Reserve Engine Deployment
- 25-161 Planned Need Strike Team Deployments - Best Practices
- 25-162 Out of Service Awaiting Repair
- 25-176 Creation of SDFD Medical Desk Email
- 25-183 HVAC Efficiency in Modern Fire Stations
- 25-201 COSD Skill Bridge Program
County OP/Metro Zone Policies
- 2A Personnel ID Methods
- 3A Communication Traffic Modes
- 4A Emergency Channel Usage
- 5A Fire Ground Accountability combo
- 6A RIC Operations `
- 10A Roles and Responsibilities of Chief Officers Responding Outside Jurisdictions
- 11A Strike Team Terminology Operational Area Response
- 14A Resource Activation and Deployment Guidelines
- SD Metro Zone Policies 03.2017
- 01 Resource System Introduction
- 02 Strike Team Task Force Requests
- 03 Strike Team Task Force Leader and Trainee
- 04 Cal OES Strike Teams
- 05 Dispatch Procedures
- 06 Move Up Policies
- 07 Radios and Communications
- 08 Strike Team Rotation Schedules
- 09 Strike Team Roster (
- 10 Reimbursement for Personnel Rotation
- 11 Strike Team Code of Conduct
- 12 Civil Unrest
- 13 Pandemic Strike Team Procedures
- 14 High-Rise Response
- 15 Mid-Rise Response
- 16 Wide-Rise Response
Fire Ground
- Fire Ground Survival
- IAFF FGS Background
- IAFF FGS Chapter 1
- IAFF FGS Chapter 2
- IAFF FGS Chapter 3
- IAFF FGS Chapter 4
- IAFF FGS Chapter 5
- Basement/Hillside Structure Fires
- Hillside Structure Fire Training
- Electric and Electric Hybrid Vehicle Fires
- Fire Ground Survival and MAYDAY
- Maritime Training
- Fire Dynamics - Reading Smoke
- Mayday Incident Worksheet
- Fire Dynamics
Incident Packets
Manuals & Guidebooks
Drill Manual
- Chapter 1 History of the San Diego Fire Department
- Chapter 2 Fire Service Organization and the San Diego Fire Rescue Department
- Chapter 3 Firefighter Safety
- Chapter 6 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
- Chapter 7 Fire Dynamics
- Chapter 8 Building Construction
- Chapter 9 Fire Communications
- Chapter 13 Wildland Firefighting
- Chapter 18 Search and Rescue
- Chapter 29 Rapid Intervention and Accountability (RIC)
- Chapter 30 Fire Ground Survival
- Chapter 31 High Rise Firefighting
- Chapter 33 Fire Investigation and Explosives
- Chapter 35 Marine Firefighting
- Chapter 37 River and Flood Rescue
- Chapter 38 Hazmat First Responder Operational
Operations Manual
SI01 Fire Suppression
- SI 01 Section 01 Command Procedures
- SI 01 Section 02 Wide-Rise Response
- SI 01 Section 03 Standard Company Operations
- SI 01 Section 04 Emergency Operations
- SI 01 Section 05 Staging
- SI 01 Section 06 Mid-Rise Response
- SI 01 Section 07 High Rise Multistory Emergency Response Procedures
- SI 01 Section 08 Vegetation Fires
- SI 01 Section 09 Response Guidelines
- SI 01 Section 10 Ringing Alarms
- SI 01 Section 11 Fire Arson Bomb Investigation
- SI 01 Section 12 Youth Firesetter Program
- SI 01 Section 13 Safeguarding Property
- SI 01 Section 14 Incident Reporting Procedures
- SI 01 Section 15 Incident Critique Policy
- SI 01 Section 16 Extended Incident Staffing Plan
- SI 01 Section 18 Rapid Intervention Crew
- SI 01 Section 19 Personnel Accountability
- SI 01 Section 20 Strip Mall Response
SI02 Special Response Guidelines
- SI 02 Section 01 Active Shooter Hostile Event Response (ASHER)
- SI 02 Section 02 Stand Back
- SI 02 Section 03 Police Liaison
- SI 02 Section 04 Emergency Recall Procedures
- SI 02 Section 05 Mutual Auto Aid
- SI 02 Section 06 Logistics
- SI 02 Section 07 Special Emergency Procedures
- SI 02 Section 08 Special EquipmentResources
- SI 02 Section 10 Rescue Air Cushion
- SI 02 Section 11 Incidents with Police
- SI 02 Section 12 Incidents with Lifeguards
- SI 02 Section 13 Freeway Emergencies
- SI 02 Section 15 News Release Procedures
- SI 02 Section 16 Terrorism Response
- SI 02 Section 17 Helicopter Operations Policy
- SI 02 Section 18 Coastal Cliff Rescue Procedures
- SI 02 Section 19 USAR Search Canine Program
- SI 02 Section 21 Tsunami Response
- SI 02 Section 22 Vehicle Incident Procedures
- SI 02 Section 23 Aircraft and Airport Emergencies
- SI 02 Section 24 Department Operations Center (DOC) Procedures
- SI 02 Section 25 Hazardous Materials Response Guidelines
- SI 02 Section 26 Fumigated (Poison A) Structure Incidents
- SI 02 Section 27 Explosive Device Incidents
- SI 02 Section 28 Earthquake Procedures
- SI 02 Section 29 Radiation Emergencies
- SI 02 Section 30 Underground (Vault) Electrical Fires
- SI 02 Section 31 Vehicle Accidents Involving Electrical Live Front Terminators
- SI 02 Section 32 Shipboard Firefighting
- SI 02 Section 33 Marina and Boat Fires
- SI 02 Section 34 Natural Gas Leaks
- SI 02 Section 35 Carbon Monoxide Detection
- SI 02 Section 36 Staff Call Back
- SI 02 Section 37 Lock Out Tag Out
- SI 02 Section 38 Elevator Emergencies
- SI 02 Section 39 Firestorm Augmentation Support Team
- SI 02 Section 40 Mobile Canteen
- SI 02 Section 41 Fast Response Squad
- SI 02 Section 42 Mobile Operation Detail (MOD)
- SI 02 Section 43 Quint Response
- SI 02 Section 44 Palm Tree Rescues
- SI 02 Section 45 Tolls Roads Expressways
- SI 02 Section 46.1 Unmanned Aircraft System Administration
- SI 02 Section 46.2 Unmanned Aircraft System Training
- SI 02 Section 46.3 Unmanned Aircraft System Data Collection
- SI 02 Section 46.4 Unmanned Aircraft System Safety
- SI 02 Section 46.5 Unmanned Aircraft System General Operations
- SI 02 Section 46.6 Unmanned Aircraft System Addendum Go No Go Checklist
- SI 02 Section 47 Operations Support Program
- SI 02 Section 48 Electric Vehicle Fires
- SI 02 Section 49 Battery Energy Storage System Failures
- SI 02 Section 50 Animal Rescue
- SI 02 Section 51 Capsized Vessel
SI03 Communications
- SI 03 Section 01 Dispatch Response and Availability
- SI 03 Section 03 Telephones
- SI 03 Section 04 Radio Usage
- SI 03 Section 05 Move Up Procedures
- SI 03 Section 07 Communications Maintenance
- SI 03 Section 08 Chief Officer Notifications
- SI 03 Section 09 Community Service Alerts
- SI 03 Section 10 Rostering and Alias Radio Assignments
- SI 03 Section 11 ECDC Notifications
- SI 03 Section12 Radio System Failure Protocols
SI05 Training
- SI 05 Section 01 Training Programs
- SI 05 Section 02 Daily Requirements
- SI 05 Section 03 Recruit Firefighter Examination Procedures
- SI 05 Section 04 Firefighter II Examination Process
- SI 05 Section 05 Certification Procedures
- SI 05 Section 06 Engineer Examination Eligibililty
- SI 05 Section 07 DMV Pull Notice Program
- SI 05 Section 08 Vehicle Incident Procedures and Review
- SI 05 Section 09 In Service Training
- SI 05 Section 10 Tuition Reimbursement
- SI 05 Section 11 Joint Apprentice Training Program
- SI 05 Section 12 Fire Academy Organization
- SI 05 Section 13 Property Indemnification
SI06 Station Management
- SI 06 Section 01 Station Generator
- SI 06 Section 02 Station Authority and Command
- SI 06 Section 03 Shift Change Procedures
- SI 06 Section 04 Statiion Routine
- SI 06 Section 05 Apparatus and Equipment Procedures
- SI 06 Section 06 Station Maintenance
- SI 06 Section 07 Station Apparatus Inventory Control
- SI 06 Section 08 Station Security
- SI 06 Section 09 Bed and Bedding
- SI 06 Section 10 Parades
- SI 06 Section 11 Cross Staffing Policy
- SI 06 Section 12 Ride Along Program
- SI 06 Section 13 Out of Class Assignments
- SI 06 Section 14 Bed Bug Policy
- SI 06 Section 16 Mileage Reimbursement
- SI 06 Section 18 Meal Reimbursement
- SI 06 Section 21 Safely Surrendered Baby Program
- SI 06 Section 22 Portable Gasoline Powered Equipment Preventative Maintenance
- SI 06 Section 23 Donations and Funding
SI09 Emergency Medical Services
- SI 09 Section 01 Advanced Airway Management
- SI 09 Section 02 Against Medical Advice
- SI 09 Section 03 AED Use Prior to EMS Arrival
- SI 09 Section 05 BLS Downgrade
- SI 09 Section 06 CHEMPACK Procedures
- SI 09 Section 07 Contaminated Equipment and Biohazardous Waste
- SI 09 Section 08 Controlled Substances
- SI 09 Section 11 Electronic Patient Care Report
- SI 09 Section 12 Encountering Emergencies
- SI 09 Section 13 Field Training 27
- SI 09 Section 14 First Responder Invasion of Privacy Policy
- SI 09 Section 15 Mass Casualty Incident
- SI 09 Section 16 Medical Scene Authority
- SI 09 Section 17 Pharmaceutical Rotation
- SI 09 Section 18 Program Eligibility and Participation
- SI 09 Section 19 Pronouncement of Death
- SI 09 Section 20 Quality Assurance and Improvement
- SI 09 Section 22 Ride Along Policy
- SI 09 Section 23 Securing Patient Property
- SI 09 Section 24 Suspected Abuse
- SI 09 Section 25 DMS Utilization
- SI 09 Section 26 Special Transport Considerations
- SI 09 Section 27 Mexican Ambulance at US.Mexican Border Vehicle Secondary
- SI 09 Section 28 Battalion Medical Officer Program
SI10 Injury Illness and Prevention Program
- SI 10 Section 01 Injury and Illness Prevention Program
- SI 10 Section 02 Health and Safety Program 9.26.23
- SI 10 Section 03 Occupational Health and Safety Committee
- SI 10 Section 04 Safety Communications
- SI 10 Section 05 Respiratory Protection
- SI 10 Section 06 SCBA Air Management
- SI 10 Section 07 Personal Escape System
- SI 10 Section 08 Wildland Boots
- SI 10 Section 09 PPE Incident Wear Chart
- SI 10 Section 10 PPE Inspection Program
- SI 10 Section 11 PPE Storage and Maintenance
- SI 10 Section 12 Equipment Failure
- SI 10 Section 13 Station and Facility Inspections
- SI 10 Section 14A Heat Illness
- SI 10 Section 14B Cold Exposure
- SI 10 Section 14C Rehabilitation
- SI 10 Section 15 Facility Emergency Action Plan
- SI 10 Section 16A Post Incident Decontamination
- SI 10 Section 16B Clean Cab Program
- SI 10 Section 16C Personal Decontamination Policy
- SI 10 Section 17 Wellness Program
- SI 10 Section 18 Peer Support
- SI 10 Section 19 Chaplain Program
- SI 10 Section 20 Critical Incident Stress Management
- SI 10 Section 21 Physical Fitness Program
- SI 10 Section 22 Communicable Disease Exposure and Aerosolized Transmitted Disease
- SI 10 Section 24 Serious Injury and LODD Policy
- SI 10 Section 24A Serious Injury LODD Initial Action Checklists
- SI 10 Section 24B Firefighter Funeral Memorial Guidebook
- SI 10 Section 24C L145 SDFRA Appendix A
- SI 10 Section 24D Lifeguard Funeral Memorial Guidebook
- SI 10 Section 24E L911 and SDLA Appendix A
- SI 10 Section 25 Wildfire Smoke Protection
- SI 10 Section 26 Pandemic Response
- SI 10 Section 27 Hearing Protection
- SI 10 Section 28 Honor Guard
Staffing Manual
- Staffing Manual Section 01 General Staffing
- Staffing Manual Section 02 Leaves
- Staffing Manual Section 03 Overtime 29 November 2021
- Staffing Manual Section 04 Mandatory Callback 05.2018
- Staffing Manual Section 05 Bid System
- Staffing Manual Section 06 Division Transfers 06.2017
- Staffing Manual Section 07 Reassign to Operations 06.2017
- Staffing Manual Section 08 Displacements 06.2017
- Staffing Manual Section 09 Staffing Desk Duties and Hours of Operation
- Table of Contents 06.2017
Radio Communications
- 2019 VHF Radio Communications Review
- 2025 XSD VHF Fleet Map Updates
- 2025 XSD Local Government VHF Portable Fleet Map
- 2025 XSD Local Government VHF Mobile Fleet Map
- 2025 XSD VHF Repeater Map
- Motorola APX8000XE Advanced Operation
- Motorola APX8000XE Basic Operation
- VHF Radio Shortcuts
- Kenwood Mobile Radio 2011
Wildland
- CalOES Fire and Rescue Strike Team Leader Manual 04.2019
- 2026 Air Operations - Aircraft and Capabilities
- CAL FIRE Structure Defense Guide
- Helicopter Ground Safety Operations
- ICS 256 Wildland Urban Interface Structure Triage Placard
- IRPG January 2025
- KNG-M150 VHF Mobile Manual
- Metro Zone Strike Team Code of Conduct
- Mutual Threat Zone Training
- SDFD Wildland Refresher 2023