What should you do first if there is a fire in the facility?

• A. Exit the building immediately without alarm
• B. Follow the facility's fire safety plan (RACE: Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/ Evacuate) and assist residents to safety.
• C. Call the supervisor to report the fire
• D. Finish current tasks before evacuating

Answer: (B)

When a fire starts, the first priority is to act through the facility’s fire safety plan and move residents to safety. This plan, known as RACE, guides you to Rescue anyone in immediate danger, Alarm the building to alert others, Contain the fire if you can do so safely, and Evacuate residents to safety. Following this sequence quickly ensures that people are alerted, the hazard is limited, and vulnerable residents are helped out of harm’s way.

Assisting residents to safety matters because many may need help due to mobility issues or confusion during an emergency. Exiting without sounding the alarm delays notification and coordination, which can put more people at risk. Merely calling a supervisor doesn’t mobilize the full emergency response. Waiting to finish tasks before evacuating wastes precious moments. If it’s safe and appropriate after alerting others and beginning evacuation, using a fire extinguisher is possible, but the essential first action is to follow the fire safety plan and get residents out.