FLSD Safety Emergency Response 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a high-rise fire emergency, at what floor interval should the FLSD typically establish a base of operations for fire department staging?
- Two floors below the fire floor (Correct answer)
- Two floors above the fire floor
- The lobby level only
- The roof level
Correct answer: Two floors below the fire floor
The staging area is set up two floors below the fire floor to keep personnel safe while remaining close enough for rapid deployment.
Question 2: Which action should an FLSD take FIRST upon receiving an alarm signal indicating a possible fire?
- Immediately evacuate the entire building
- Investigate the source of the alarm before initiating evacuation (Correct answer)
- Call 911 and wait for further instructions
- Silence the alarm to prevent panic
Correct answer: Investigate the source of the alarm before initiating evacuation
FDNY protocol requires the FLSD to investigate and confirm the alarm before ordering a full evacuation to avoid unnecessary disruptions.
Question 3: Under NYC Fire Code, which document must an FLSD maintain and be able to present to the FDNY upon request?
- Building insurance policy
- Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan (FSEP) (Correct answer)
- Tenant lease agreements
- Certificate of Occupancy only
Correct answer: Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan (FSEP)
The Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan (FSEP) is a required document that details emergency procedures and must be available for FDNY inspection.
Question 4: When communicating with occupants during a partial evacuation, the FLSD should use which communication method as the PRIMARY means?
- Personal cell phone calls to each tenant
- The building's public address (PA) / voice alarm system (Correct answer)
- Text messages via building management app
- Door-to-door verbal notification only
Correct answer: The building's public address (PA) / voice alarm system
The building's PA/voice alarm system reaches all occupants simultaneously and is the primary tool for emergency communication.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes a 'defend-in-place' strategy as applied in high-rise fire emergencies?
- All occupants shelter in underground parking until the fire is out
- Occupants on non-threatened floors remain in place rather than evacuating (Correct answer)
- The fire department defends the building perimeter while occupants leave
- FLSD staff defend stairwells against smoke intrusion
Correct answer: Occupants on non-threatened floors remain in place rather than evacuating
In high-rise buildings, defend-in-place keeps occupants on unaffected floors sheltered rather than risking crowded stairwell evacuations.
Question 6: What is the minimum number of Fire Safety Directors required to be on duty in a Class E building over 100 feet in height during normal business hours under NYC rules?
- One (Correct answer)
- Two
- Three
- Four
Correct answer: One
NYC Fire Code requires at least one FLSD on duty at all times during normal business hours in qualifying high-rise buildings.
Question 7: A warden reports smoke in the 18th floor stairwell. The FLSD should FIRST instruct occupants attempting to use that stairwell to:
- Proceed down through the smoke quickly
- Return to their floor and use an alternate stairwell (Correct answer)
- Wait in the stairwell for the fire department
- Go to the roof and await helicopter rescue
Correct answer: Return to their floor and use an alternate stairwell
Occupants should never enter a smoke-filled stairwell; they should return to the floor and use an alternate egress route.
FLSD Safety Emergency Response 3
During a high-rise fire emergency, at what floor interval should the FLSD typically establish a base of operations for fire department staging?