Activating the Emergency Response: The R.A.C.E. Protocol
Workplace safety protocols provide a clear, immediate plan of action during a fire emergency. The ability to respond calmly and correctly in the initial moments significantly affects the safety of everyone in the building. An employee’s primary focus must always be on preserving life, following pre-established training. Understanding the necessary sequence of actions ensures safety is prioritized and authorities are alerted without delay.
The initial response to discovering a fire is codified by the R.A.C.E. protocol, an acronym guiding the steps an employee must take in order.
The first letter, R, stands for Rescue. This means immediately moving any individuals in direct danger away from the affected area, provided it is safe to do so. This step prioritizes people closest to the fire or smoke, especially those with limited mobility who need assistance.
The next step is A for Alarm. The employee must activate the nearest manual fire alarm pull station to alert everyone in the building. Simultaneously, the employee must call the internal emergency line or public emergency services to notify the fire department immediately. This mobilizes the organized response of both building occupants and professional firefighters.
Following the alarm, the third step is C for Confine. This involves taking action to slow the spread of the fire and smoke. Employees should close all doors and windows as they evacuate the area. This helps contain the fire by limiting its oxygen supply and preventing smoke from spreading rapidly. Closing doors buys valuable time for other occupants to escape.
The final letter, E, stands for Extinguish or Evacuate. An employee must quickly decide whether to attempt to fight the fire or proceed with the full building evacuation. This decision depends on specific criteria concerning the fire’s size and the employee’s personal safety.
When to Use a Fire Extinguisher (And When to Evacuate)
The decision to attempt to extinguish a fire is a choice that must be made rapidly. Only after completing the R.A.C.E. protocol’s first three steps should an employee consider using a fire extinguisher. The employee must confirm three conditions are met before engaging the fire; otherwise, immediate evacuation is the only appropriate action.
Size of the Fire
The fire must be small and contained, such as a fire in a wastebasket or a small appliance. It must not have spread beyond its initial materials. Fire extinguishers contain a limited amount of agent, typically effective only for fighting small, incipient-stage fires. If the flames are quickly growing, reaching the ceiling, or producing significant amounts of smoke, the fire is too large to be controlled by a portable extinguisher.
Training Level
An employee must have received proper training on how to operate a fire extinguisher. They must also be familiar with the specific type of extinguisher available. Attempting to use an unfamiliar extinguisher or one designed for a different class of fire can be ineffective and dangerous, potentially worsening the situation. Without confidence and knowledge in the equipment, the employee should not attempt to fight the fire.
Availability of an Escape Route
A clear and unobstructed escape route must be maintained behind the employee at all times while fighting the fire. This ensures that if the fire suddenly grows or the extinguisher fails, the employee can quickly retreat without being trapped. If the fire is between the employee and the nearest exit, evacuation must take precedence over extinguishment.
If these three conditions are met, the employee should use the P.A.S.S. technique to operate the extinguisher:
- Pull the pin, breaking the tamper seal and unlocking the operating mechanism.
- Aim the nozzle or hose low toward the base of the fire, focusing on the source of the fuel rather than the flames themselves.
- Squeeze the handle to discharge the extinguishing agent, releasing the contents with a steady grip.
- Sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of the fire until the flames appear to be completely out.
The employee must watch the area carefully for several minutes after the fire is out to ensure it does not re-ignite. If the fire does not immediately go out or if the extinguisher is emptied, the employee must evacuate immediately.
Navigating the Evacuation Route Safely
Once the decision to evacuate has been made, employees must move quickly and deliberately along the established exit routes. Maintaining a calm, orderly pace is necessary to ensure the safety of everyone. Employees should leave all personal belongings behind, as delaying to retrieve items wastes valuable time and can obstruct others.
As employees exit their immediate area, they should check the door and doorknob for heat using the back of their hand before opening it. If the door or knob feels warm, fire is likely on the other side, and the employee must immediately seek an alternate exit route. If the door is cool, open it slightly to check the corridor for smoke or fire before proceeding.
If smoke is present in the corridor or stairwell, employees must stay low to the floor. Heat and smoke rise, leaving cleaner, cooler air closer to the ground. Crawling on hands and knees may be necessary to minimize smoke inhalation, which is a major cause of fire-related fatalities. Employees should use stairwells to descend, never using elevators, as they can become inoperable due to power loss or fire damage.
Employees should move in a single-file line down the stairs, keeping conversation to a minimum. This allows for clear communication from fire wardens or emergency personnel. Closing doors behind the last person to exit an area is an effective measure to slow the fire’s spread.
Actions at the Designated Meeting Point
The evacuation is not complete until every employee has reached the designated assembly point, also known as a muster station. This is a pre-determined safe location a distance away from the building. Upon arrival, employees must immediately report their presence to the assigned supervisor or fire warden. Accountability is the most important function at this stage, confirming that all occupants have exited safely.
Employees must remain at the assembly point until the emergency response team or fire officials give the official “all clear.” No one should leave the designated area to search for colleagues or attempt to re-enter the building for any reason, including retrieving personal items. Re-entry is strictly prohibited until the area has been thoroughly checked and declared safe by the fire department.
Post-Incident Requirements and Reporting
After the emergency has concluded and the building has been cleared for re-entry, employees may be required to participate in formal administrative follow-up procedures. Management or safety officers must be informed of any injuries sustained, no matter how minor. They must also be informed of any close calls or near-misses that occurred during the event. This information is documented for investigation purposes and helps improve future emergency plans.
Employees who witnessed the start of the fire or observed specific conditions during the evacuation may be asked to provide statements in a debriefing session. This reporting helps officials determine the cause of the fire and assess the effectiveness of the building’s safety systems and evacuation procedures. Cooperation with the post-incident review is a necessary final step to ensure the continued safety of the workplace.