While caring for a resident, a fire alarm sounds; what is the FIRST step you should take?

While caring for a resident, a fire alarm sounds; what is the FIRST step you should take?

• A. Report to the nurse for directives
• B. Remove residents from the area of the fire
• C. Locate a fire extinguisher and extinguish the fire
• D. Evacuate residents from the facility

Answer: (B)

In a fire situation, the top priority is protecting people by getting them out of immediate danger. The first step is to move residents who are in or near the fire to a safe location away from flames, heat, and smoke. This quick action minimizes exposure and injury and buys time to follow the facility’s fire protocol. After residents in danger are safe, you should notify the nurse or supervisor for directions and activate the proper reporting procedures. Only if you are trained and it is safe to do so should you attempt to use a fire extinguisher, and evacuating the entire facility comes as a subsequent step if the fire threatens more areas. The crucial point is to remove residents from the danger area first.

In a fire situation, the top priority is protecting people by getting them out of immediate danger. The first step is to move residents who are in or near the fire to a safe location away from flames, heat, and smoke. This quick action minimizes exposure and injury and buys time to follow the facility’s fire protocol. After residents in danger are safe, you should notify the nurse or supervisor for directions and activate the proper reporting procedures. Only if you are trained and it is safe to do so should you attempt to use a fire extinguisher, and evacuating the entire facility comes as a subsequent step if the fire threatens more areas. The crucial point is to remove residents from the danger area first.