F-01 - F-01 Fireguard Emergency Response and Evacuation Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a fire emergency with impaired sprinklers, what is the fire guard's FIRST action?
- Attempt to extinguish the fire
- Call 911 to notify the fire department (Correct answer)
- Begin evacuating the building
- Locate the impairment coordinator
Correct answer: Call 911 to notify the fire department
The fire guard's first action is to call 911 since automatic alarm transmission may not be functioning.
When a fire guard discovers a fire during a system impairment, calling 911 is the first priority because automatic alarm transmission may not be functioning. The fire guard should provide the building address, floor, fire location, nature of impairment, and callback number.
Question 2: What evacuation assistance should a fire guard provide to persons with mobility impairments?
- None, wait for firefighters
- Direct them to areas of refuge and notify firefighters of their location (Correct answer)
- Carry them down stairs personally
- Tell them to stay at their desk
Correct answer: Direct them to areas of refuge and notify firefighters of their location
Direct mobility-impaired persons to areas of refuge and inform firefighters of their location.
Fire guards should direct mobility-impaired occupants to designated areas of refuge near stairwells. The fire guard must communicate the exact location and number of people in areas of refuge to the responding fire department for assisted evacuation.
Question 3: When should a fire guard order a full building evacuation versus a partial one?
- Always evacuate entirely
- Based on fire size, location, spread potential, and extent of system impairment (Correct answer)
- Never order evacuation
- Only the fire department can order evacuations
Correct answer: Based on fire size, location, spread potential, and extent of system impairment
The decision depends on fire conditions, system impairments, and spread potential.
Partial evacuation suits small, contained fires with effective fire separations. Full evacuation is warranted when fire is large or spreading, multiple systems are impaired, or smoke enters stairwells. Err on the side of caution.
Question 4: What information must the fire guard provide to the fire department upon arrival?
- Only the address
- Fire location, system impairments, evacuation status, and occupants needing rescue (Correct answer)
- Just point to the entrance
- Only their certificate number
Correct answer: Fire location, system impairments, evacuation status, and occupants needing rescue
Provide a comprehensive situation briefing to help firefighters plan their response.
The briefing must include specific fire location, nature and extent of impairments, current evacuation status, occupants needing rescue, known hazardous materials, and fire department connection locations.
Question 5: What should a fire guard do if they cannot safely reach a fire extinguisher?
- Run through the fire
- Focus on notification and evacuation rather than suppression (Correct answer)
- Wait for the fire to die down
- Search other floors
Correct answer: Focus on notification and evacuation rather than suppression
If suppression is not safe, prioritize notification and evacuation.
Ensure 911 has been called, activate accessible manual alarms, verbally alert occupants, guide evacuation through safe exits, and provide information to arriving firefighters. Portable extinguishers are only effective on incipient fires.
Question 6: What should the fire guard advise about elevator use during evacuation?
- Direct everyone to use elevators
- Advise occupants not to use elevators and direct them to stairways (Correct answer)
- Use elevators to check floors
- Leave elevator decisions to management
Correct answer: Advise occupants not to use elevators and direct them to stairways
Elevators are dangerous during fires; occupants should use stairways.
Elevators can be called to the fire floor, shafts draw smoke throughout the building, power failure can trap occupants, and doors may open onto fire or heavy smoke. Redirect occupants to the nearest safe stairway.
F-01 - F-01 Fireguard Emergency Response and Evacuation Questions and Answers 2
During a fire emergency with impaired sprinklers, what is the fire guard's FIRST action?