Basic Response Procedures during a Fire Incident

The following response procedure was adopted from the University of Chicago Fire Response Plan. It
was summarized by the acronym RACER.

R - Rescue: Rescue people from the immediate area of smoke and/or fire.
Make people aware that there is a fire alarm activation or actual fire within the building.

A – Alarm: Activate the nearest fire alarm station. When telephone is available call the Police or Fire
Department hotlines. Provide your name, exact location of the emergency you are reporting.

C – Contain: Contain the smoke or fire by closing all the windows and doors to rooms, stairways and
corridors. This is to control fire and smoke from spreading.

E – Extinguish: Extinguish the fire using the appropriate fire extinguisher for the type of fire being
fought. Only attempt to fight the fire if you are comfortable using a fire extinguisher and the fire is small,
contained, and not spreading beyond the immediate area.

R – Relocate: Relocate to a safe area. When inside the building, relocate outside of the building and
away from the main entrance. Do not use elevators within the building as a means of exit. Use the
stairways only.

For the sake of enhancement, letter “S” is added to the acronym which stands for:

S – Secure: Secure first important documents, money and heirlooms when fire breaks out inside your
own residence. These things are easier to take as you go out from the house than the appliances which
can be replaced easily.

Fire Emergency and Evacuation Plan

A Fire Emergency and Evacuation Plan (FEEP) is a written document which include the action to
be taken by all staff in the event of fire and the arrangements for calling the fire brigade. It can include
any relevant information in relation to the FEEP.

Listed below the salient components of a Fire Emergency and Evacuation Plan:

 Fire evacuation strategy

 Action on discovering a fire
 Action on hearing the fire alarm
 Calling the fire brigade
 Power/Process isolation
 Identification of key escape routes
 _______Fire
 Places of assembly and roll call
 Fire-fighting equipment provided
 Training required
 Liaison with emergency services
I. Fire evacuation strategy
There is a need to consider how the evacuation of the premises is arranged in the light at
risk assessment undertaken and the other fire precautions intended to be put in place.
II. Action on hearing the fire alarm
The plan should instruct all personnel upon hearing the fire alarm to act in accordance with
the greed FEEP strategy.
III. Calling the fire brigade
The fire Service should also be informed immediately, either by switchboard operator or
person discovering fire, dependent on conditions.
IV. Power/process isolation
Close Down procedure- design your own “Close Down” procedure as appropriate to given
setting.
V. Identification of escape routes
In premises where members of the public or persons unfamiliar with layout of the premises
are present there should be means available to identify the key escape routes. They could
include the schematic drawings and most importantly emergency escape and exit signs.
VI. Fire Wardens/Marshals
A competent person who will be responsible to safeguard the safety of students should be
nominated to implement certain fire safety measures which will include the implementation
of the fire evacuation plan. The general term used for these people are fire wardens or fire
marshals. He should be someone who is well-trained and have some knowledge of fire
prevention and be able to identify possible fire hazards.
VII. Places of assembly and roll call
Pre-determined assembly points should be arranged and a roll call of students to be taken.
The person who is in charge of the assemble point should report to the person who has
been nominated as Fire Marshal.
VIII. Fire-fighting equipment available
A nominated fire team, if available, or any trained competent person should, where
possible, attack fire with appropriate equipment. However, fire-fighting is always secondary
to life safety.
IX. Training required
The emergency evacuation plan should be the subject of frequent training, so all students
will become familiar with its contents and there should be regular evacuation drills. Effective
fire routine is dependent or regular instruction, training, and practice. Regular drills should
be carried out using varying escape routes assuming the normal evacuation route is not
available.
X. Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP)
In order to assist disabled or sensory-impaired people to escape from fire, it may also be
necessary for students to be trained in the correct procedures to cope with this eventuality.
Advice on the specific needs of disabled and sensory-impaired people can be obtained from
organizations representing the various groups.
XI. Liaison with emergency services
The Fire Marshal should arrange all necessary contacts with external emergency services
and make them familiar with the school’s fire emergency and action plan. He will be the
 one to meet the fire rescue service when they arrived to provide them with any
information they require.

Summary

Fire is an event rather than a thing. It naturally occurs when the three elements, namely the heat, fuel
and oxygen are present and combined ______ a chemical reaction. This is formed _____________.

There are several causes of fire, but on t