ExamFinch.com My Study

Study guide

15.3 Crisis Response & Recovery

Practice this exam

Air Force PFE Promotion Fitness Examination

Track your progress as you read

Finished sections get a check mark.

1 Introduction & Exam Overview

1.1 PFE Exam Facts & Format 1.2 The WAPS Scoring System 1.3 The Tested AFH 1 Chapters & Study Strategy

2 Professionalism (AFH 1, Chapter 1)

2.1 The USAF Professional & the Profession of Arms 2.2 The Air Force Core Values & Their Virtues 2.3 Ethical Standards & the Airman's Creed

3 Military Organization & Command (AFH 1, Chapter 5)

3.1 The United States Armed Forces 3.2 The Military Departments & Services 3.3 Military Command Structure & Combatant Commands 3.4 The Air Force Total Force 3.5 Air Force Organizational Structure

4 Enlisted Force Development I (AFH 1, Chapter 7A–7D)

4.1 Leadership Levels 4.2 The Enlisted Force Structure & Tiers 4.3 Duty Titles & Special Positions 4.4 Force Development & the Competency Framework

5 Enlisted Force Development II (AFH 1, Chapter 7E–7H)

5.1 Training Responsibilities & Upgrade Training 5.2 Professional Military Education 5.3 The Community College of the Air Force 5.4 Continuing Education & Voluntary Programs

6 Assessments & Recognition (AFH 1, Chapter 8)

6.1 The Airman Comprehensive Assessment 6.2 Performance Evaluations & the EPB 6.3 Reenlistments, Retention & Continuation 6.4 Awards & Decorations

7 Enlisted Promotions (AFH 1, Chapter 9)

7.1 Promotion Systems & Programs 7.2 Promotion Cycles & Eligibility 7.3 Preparation & Individual Responsibilities 7.4 Promotion Testing & Test Control 7.5 Evaluation Boards & Central Selection

8 Personnel Programs & Benefits (AFH 1, Chapter 11)

8.1 Benefits & Services 8.2 Leave & Authorized Absences 8.3 Military Associations & Civilian Programs

9 Finance, Manpower & Resources (AFH 1, Chapter 12)

9.1 Individual Finances & Allowances 9.2 Official Travel Expenses & Allowances 9.3 Manpower Management 9.4 Resource Management & Stewardship 9.5 Environmental Commitment

10 Developing Organizations (AFH 1, Chapter 13)

10.1 Strategic Thinking & Results Focus 10.2 Resources & Organizational Structure 10.3 Change Management & Problem Solving

11 Developing Others (AFH 1, Chapter 14)

11.1 Teamwork & Team Dynamics 11.2 Develops People: Mentoring, Coaching & Feedback 11.3 Service Mindset & Fostering Effective Relationships 11.4 Leadership: Styles, Power & Influence

12 Developing Self I (AFH 1, Chapter 15A–15C)

12.1 Accountability & Self-Management 12.2 Military Communication 12.3 Preparing to Communicate

13 Developing Self II (AFH 1, Chapter 15D–15F)

13.1 Written Communication 13.2 Spoken Communication 13.3 Electronic Messaging

14 Developing Ideas (AFH 1, Chapter 16)

14.1 What We Know: Priorities & Innovation 14.2 Cognitive Processes & Critical Thinking 14.3 Informed Decision-Making 14.4 What We Don't Know: Uncertainty & Assumptions

15 Emergency Management (AFH 1, Chapter 17)

15.1 Air Force Emergency Management, Disasters & Hazards 15.2 Preparedness, MOPP & Individual Protection 15.3 Crisis Response & Recovery 15.4 Department of the Air Force Mishap Prevention 15.5 Risk Management

16 Security (AFH 1, Chapter 18)

16.1 Integrated Defense & Force Protection Conditions 16.2 Operations Security (OPSEC) 16.3 Information Protection & Classification 16.4 Information Access, Cybersecurity & Mobility 16.5 Antiterrorism

17 Standards of Conduct (AFH 1, Chapter 19)

17.1 A Way of Life: Oaths, Standards & Off-Duty Conduct 17.2 The Law of War 17.3 The Code of Conduct

18 Enforcing Military Standards (AFH 1, Chapter 20)

18.1 The Air Force Inspection System 18.2 Individual Accountability & Corrective Action 18.3 Appropriate Working Relationships & Fraternization 18.4 Addressing Misconduct & Prohibited Behavior

19 Fitness & Readiness (AFH 1, Chapter 22)

19.1 USAF Fitness & Comprehensive Airman Fitness 19.2 The Official Fitness Assessment 19.3 Nutrition & Performance 19.4 Substance Use, Abuse & Treatment Programs 19.5 Readiness State of Mind & Resilience

20 Military Customs & Courtesies (AFH 1, Chapter 24)

20.1 Honored Traditions: Saluting, Titles & Reporting 20.2 Respect for the Flag 20.3 Respect for Individuals 20.4 Ceremonies & Events 20.5 Drill & Formation 20.6 Preserving Our Heritage

21 SJT Format & Competencies

21.1 SJT Format & Mechanics 21.2 Airman Leadership Qualities (ALQs) 21.3 Foundational Competencies & Behaviors

22 SJT Reasoning, Scenarios & Traps

22.1 SJT Reasoning Strategies 22.2 Sample SJT Scenarios 22.3 SJT Traps & Best Practices

15.3 Crisis Response & Recovery

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

The SALUTE report covers Size, Activity, Location, Unit, Time, and Equipment, and is submitted to the control center or work center through the most secure means.

When alarm red is declared or an attack begins without notification, drop to the ground, don the protective mask, crawl to the closest available protection, don remaining equipment, and check everyone in your immediate area.

Personnel who recognize an attack in progress should take immediate action regardless of whether mass notification has been disseminated.

The CBRN Control Center within the Emergency Operations Center is the primary command and control function for collecting and consolidating post-attack information.

If a nerve or blister agent gets in the eyes they should be irrigated with water; reactive skin decontamination lotion and M295 kits are the most effective methods of removing chemical agents from skin.

Last updated: August 2026

Contamination Avoidance and Force Survivability

AFH 1 opens with the stake: crisis response actions during and after a CBRN attack are critical "not only to ensure the DAF mission is continued, but more importantly, for survival."

Two governing ideas:

"In threat areas, contamination avoidance is the key to keeping assets and personnel from becoming contaminated."

"During attacks, the primary focus of the base populace should be directed toward force survivability to ensure attack warning signals and MOPP levels are rapidly disseminated."

Who disseminates what: "Typically, the command post will disseminate attack warning signals, alarm signals, and MOPP levels at the recommendation of the CBRN Control Center within the EOC." That chain — CBRN Control Center recommends, Command Post disseminates — is a reliable item.

Responding to an Incident You Witness

"Department of Defense resources, including those associated with military installations located nearest the scene of an accident or incident, will respond to the event unless otherwise directed by higher headquarters."

Upon witnessing an incident, AFH 1 gives a sequence:

  • Alert others in the immediate area
  • Report the incident to security forces, fire and emergency services, or installation command and control
  • After reporting: stay uphill and upwind
  • Avoid inhaling fumes, smoke, or vapors
  • Attempt to rescue and care for casualties
  • Avoid handling any material or component involved in the accident or incident
  • Evacuate the area if rescue or containment is impractical, or as directed

"Stay uphill and upwind" is the phrase most often keyed, and "avoid handling any material or component involved" is the instruction candidates most often overlook when a scenario invites them to clear debris.

AFH 1 attaches a judgment clause worth remembering: "Every situation is different and should be handled using established procedures coupled with good judgment."

Immediate Actions Under Attack

The most operationally specific passage in Chapter 17, and it is stated as an ordered sequence:

DAF personnel who recognize an attack in progress should take immediate action regardless of whether or not mass notification has been disseminated. When alarm red is declared, or attack begins without notification:

  • Step Action
  • 1 Drop to the ground
  • 2 Don protective mask (if not donned already)
  • 3 Crawl to closest available protection
  • 4 Don remaining individual protective equipment

5 Immediately check every member in your immediate area to make sure they are protected and have donned the proper equipment

Then: assist injured and provide self-aid and buddy care with caution to prevent further injuries, particularly when under fire. AFH 1 adds that "using one's best judgment is essential regarding seeking immediate cover in place or crawling immediately to a safe location, particularly when an area becomes increasingly dangerous."

Two features of this sequence get tested. First, the mask goes on before you move — you don, then crawl. Second, do not wait for the alarm : recognizing the attack is enough to act.

SALUTE Reporting

"If an attack or enemy movement is observed, report it up the chain of command immediately." AFH 1 provides the S-A-L-U-T-E method as "a quick and effective way to communicate attack information," submitted to the control center or work center through the most secure means.

  • Letter Report area Information to report
  • S Size The number of persons and vehicles seen, or the size of an object
  • A Activity Description of enemy activity — assaulting, fleeing, observing
  • L Location Where the enemy was sighted — grid coordinate or reference point

U Unit Distinctive signs, symbols, identification on people, vehicles, aircraft, or weapons — numbers, patches, clothing type

  • T Time Time activity was observed
  • E Equipment Equipment and vehicles associated with the activity

The two most commonly confused entries are U (Unit) and E (Equipment) . Unit means identifying marks — patches, numbers, clothing type ; Equipment means the equipment and vehicles associated with the activity . A distinctive patch is a Unit item; a truck is an Equipment item, though its markings would be reported under Unit .

Worked example. You observe four individuals in unmarked dark coveralls with a white pickup truck at the north perimeter fence at 0230, carrying what appear to be bolt cutters. A SALUTE report reads: S — four persons, one vehicle; A — cutting perimeter fence; L — north perimeter, grid reference as known; U — unmarked dark coveralls, no visible insignia; T — 0230; E — one white pickup truck, hand tools consistent with bolt cutters.

Recovery

Recovery actions focus on "saving lives, detecting and mitigating hazards, mission restoration, and sustainment," with immediate actions to treat casualties, assess damage, and control contamination . AFH 1 names the priority explicitly: "Reestablishing the mission is a top priority," and states that "minimizing the amount of personnel exposed to post-attack hazards is critical for mission continuation and force survivability."

Reconnaissance

The installation commander will determine when base specialized and unit reconnaissance teams begin post-attack CBRN surveys. Control centers are then directed to release post-attack reconnaissance (PAR) teams to collect information about the effects of the attack.

PAR teams or resource owners are responsible for:

Reporting information to their respective control center

Marking and reporting contamination and contaminated equipment so that approaching personnel are aware of the hazard associated with the resource

The control center will forward survey information to the CBRN Control Center within the EOC.

Post-Attack Reporting

"The CBRN Control Center within the EOC is the primary command and control function for collecting and consolidating post-attack information."

The reporting chain then runs upward: the EOC Director up-channels information and makes recommendations regarding alarm signals and MOPP levels to the CAT , based on information collected by specialized and PAR teams.

Put the whole loop together, because the exam tests the direction of flow:

  • Step Who
  • Collect survey data PAR teams / resource owners
  • Receive and forward Control centers
  • Collect and consolidate CBRN Control Center within the EOC
  • Up-channel and recommend alarm/MOPP changes EOC Director to the CAT
  • Disseminate warning signals and MOPP levels Command Post , on CBRN Control Center recommendation
  • Decontamination

For those not on a PAR team , recovery actions include performing immediate decontamination (if contaminated) and remaining under cover in a safe location unless otherwise directed. Control centers will assess and determine what methods of decontamination, if any, can be reasonably put into action.

The individual guidance is specific:

  • Situation Action
  • Nerve or blister agent in the eyes The eyes are very vulnerable — irrigate with water

Chemical agent on the skin or protective equipment It must be removed immediately. The reactive skin decontamination lotion and M295 individual decontamination kits are the most effective methods of removing chemical agents

No individual decontamination kit available Contact the CBRN Control Center for recommendations

The chlorine caution is the detail most likely to appear as a distractor: AFH 1 states that 5-percent chlorine solution for equipment and 0.5-percent chlorine solution for skin decontamination should only be used after consultation from CBRN Defense Specialists, as some chemicals react negatively to chlorine.

So an option recommending an immediate chlorine wash without consultation is wrong — and the two percentages ( 5 percent equipment, 0.5 percent skin ) are worth memorizing in the correct pairing, since reversing them is the obvious distractor.