Which statement correctly describes the minimum cone deployment when arriving at a scene?

• A. One cone with 50 feet taper.
• B. Four cones with 100 feet taper.
• C. Five cones with 200 feet taper.
• D. Seven cones with 250 feet taper.

Answer: (C)

When you roll up to a scene, the priority is to create a clear warning and a safe path for approaching traffic. You do this by establishing a taper—an area upstream from the incident where the lane guidance gradually narrows or traffic is directed away from the hazard. The minimum pattern used in fire-service training is five cones with a 200-foot taper. This setup provides a visible cue from a sufficient distance, giving drivers time to slow and merge safely before reaching the work zone.

Choosing fewer than five or a shorter taper would leave drivers with less warning and less room to react, increasing the risk of collisions or confusion. More cones and a longer taper are appropriate for higher speeds or more complex scenes, but the smallest, still-safe configuration is five cones over a 200-foot taper.