If you see smoke, smell something burning, or see fire, initiate the fire plan (R-A-C-E)
Announced overhead as “A Fire Alarm has been activated in+ Location + Please avoid this area”
R – Remove those in immediate danger to a safe area.
A – Alarm
- Activate the nearest fire pull station.
- Call “6” (off sites call 9-9-1-1) and give:
- Exact location of fire (room number and building) o Your name, and
- Type of fire (if known).
C – Contain the fire by closing doors to the area of the fire.
- Close all doors and windows (even in areas remote from the fire but in the same building).
E –Evacuate if fire or smoke is discovered:
- Evacuate as follows:
- First, evacuate the area of the fire, adjoining rooms, and rooms above and below.
- If necessary to leave the area, evacuate horizontally away from the fire through the fire doors into another fire/smoke compartment.
- Business occupancies should evacuate the building.
- If needed, evacuate vertically.
- Use evacuation tools if needed (MedSled, ParaSlyde, Stair Chair)
- Inpatient, outpatient, and diagnostic care areas complete Form #502, Patient Fire/Tornado/Evacuation Sheet (obtain from Distribution, online in electronic “Policies and Procedures,” or print out from the EMR, also behind the Forms Tab at the back of this guide).
- Elevators may be used if they are working.
- Do not run.
- Follow the evacuation routes and plans outlined in the unit specific fire plan.
E – Or Extinguish, if you can do it safely and you feel comfortable doing so. Use a fire extinguisher by initiating P-A-S-S: Do not put yourself in danger to extinguish a fire.
- Pull the pin by twisting and pulling (do not have thumb on upper handle or pin will not come out)
- Aim at the base of the fire (if you hit the fire it is apt to come back on you and cause burns)
- Squeeze the handle, and
- Sweep back and forth to suffocate the fire.