Non-Fire Emergencies Flashcards

The National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for the area including your high-rise building. Which instruction should the FLSD provide to building occupants via the public address system?

Answer: Move to an interior location away from windows, such as a core hallway or stairwell, on the lowest floor possible.

During a tornado warning, the safest places are away from the building's exterior, which is vulnerable to high winds and flying debris. The FLSD should direct occupants to move to the building's core, such as interior hallways, restrooms, or stairwells on the lowest floors possible, and to stay away from all windows and glass.

A specific bomb threat is received targeting the offices of a tenant on the 22nd floor. After notifying NYPD and activating the EAP, who is generally considered most effective at conducting the initial search of the tenant's immediate office space?

Answer: Tenant employees from the targeted office who are familiar with the space.

Tenant employees are most familiar with their own workspace and are therefore in the best position to recognize suspicious items or packages that are out of place. The FLSD coordinates this effort, but the tenants themselves are best equipped to conduct the search of their own area as they can most quickly identify anything unusual.

During a widespread city power outage, the FLSD is operating from the Fire Command Center on emergency power. Which of the following is the most critical immediate life-safety concern for the FLSD to manage?

Answer: Checking the status of all elevators and coordinating the rescue of any trapped occupants.

In a power failure, elevators may stop between floors, trapping occupants. This is a significant life-safety issue that must be addressed immediately. The FLSD must use the elevator status panel and communication systems to locate any stalled cars and coordinate with elevator service personnel and the FDNY for rescue.

In the event of a confirmed active shooter within the building, what is the most appropriate initial public address announcement the FLSD should make after ensuring 911 has been called?

Answer: "Attention. A serious security situation is in progress. Shelter in place, lock your doors, silence your phones, and await further instructions."

In an active shooter event, the immediate priority after notifying authorities is to prevent occupants from moving into harm's way. A shelter-in-place or lockdown announcement is the standard protocol, providing clear, actionable instructions to secure in place until law enforcement arrives and takes control. Announcing an evacuation could lead people directly into the path of the threat.

A large civil disturbance is occurring outside, and individuals are attempting to breach the building's main entrance. In addition to notifying police, which of the following actions is the FLSD's primary responsibility?

Answer: Implementing lockdown procedures, securing all entrances, and advising occupants to stay away from exterior windows.

The FLSD's primary role during an external civil disturbance is to protect the occupants within the building. This is achieved by implementing a lockdown, which involves securing all building entrances and exits to prevent unauthorized entry, and instructing tenants to move away from windows and the building perimeter for their safety.

An FLSD is notified of a potential chemical or biological agent release in the building's mailroom. After contacting 911 and isolating the immediate area, what is the standard recommended action regarding the building's HVAC system?

Answer: Shut down the HVAC system entirely to prevent circulation of the contaminant.

In the event of a chemical or biological agent release, the primary goal is to contain the substance. Shutting down the building's HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system is a critical step to prevent the airborne circulation of the contaminant to other floors and areas of the building.