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Fire Emergency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fire Alarm Response

When the fire alarm sounds in your building:

  • Immediately evacuate the building to the outside.

  • NEVER go back to retrieve personal belongings.

  • Move away from the front of the building to allow the fire fighters and their trucks to access the building. 

  • If there is an incident on the upper floors, the area underneath is the hazard zone and that is where you will be injured by falling glass and debris.
     

Have an exit strategy, know two ways out, such as another stairway, an emergency exit or a fire escape.

The fire alarm system is designed to give you an early warning when there is a smoke or fire condition in your building.  NEVER ignore the alarms just because your area is clear, there may be a fire or smoke condition on another floor that the sensitive detection devices have alerted you to.

Assume there is a fire even if you do not see smoke in your immediate area.

NEVER use an elevator in ANY building once the fire alarm is sounding. Use the stairs.

Remember, how you react in a real emergency situation depends upon how well you have prepared yourself before it happens. The way you entered the building may not be the safest and quickest way out. Familiarize yourself with the two exits closest to your area and react immediately to all fire alarms.

What do I do if I discover a fire in a building?
 

If you discover a fire or smoke condition:

 

  • Do not panic.

  • If the fire is in a room or small area, confine the spread of the smoke and fire by closing the room doors prior to leaving the building, but only if it is safe to do so.

  • Evacuate the building to the outside and warn others of the fire on the way out. 

  • Once you have reached a safe area, call 911.

  • Never re-enter the building.

  • Seek out the first arriving personnel, police officer, fire fighter, EMT, and give them the specific location of the fire or smoke. 

  • If you know someone is still inside, try to give the fire fighters the last known location where you saw them.   

 

Emergency Escape Tips

  • Your building has an evacuation plan. Know it and evacuate during all fire alarm activations.

  • Learn the location of all building exits. Have an exit strategy, always know at least two ways out.

  • If you have to escape through smoke, crawl low to your exit, keeping your head one to two feet above the floor, where the air will be clearer.

  • Test doorknobs and spaces around the door with the back of your hand. If the door is warm, try another escape route. If it’s cool, open it slowly. Close it if smoke or fire is present.

  • If you are trapped, call the fire department for assistance. Seal your door with rags and signal from your window.

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