Emergency Response, Fire Safety and First Aid
What the exam tests
Emergency response, fire safety and first aid: the first few minutes before professional help arrives.
Core rules and concepts
- Emergency sequence: assess safety, raise alarm, inform control room, contain if safe, evacuate, assist casualties, preserve scene.
- Fire triangle: fuel, heat, oxygen. Remove one side to stop fire.
- Fire classes: A solids use water or foam; B liquids use foam, CO2 or dry powder; C gases use dry powder; D metals need special powder; electrical fires need CO2 or dry powder, never water; K cooking oils need wet chemical.
- PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep. Use only if trained, the fire is small and the exit is clear.
- RACE: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Evacuate or Extinguish.
- First aid DRABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation. Call 108. Adult CPR uses 30 compressions to 2 breaths at 100–120 per minute and 5–6 cm depth.
Worked example
A computer UPS starts smoking. Reasoning: do not throw water; raise the alarm; switch off power only if safe; evacuate the area; use CO2 or dry powder only if trained and the fire is small; call the fire service and note the time. Life safety comes before saving equipment.
Traps that cost marks
- Using water on electrical or oil fires.
- Fighting a fire before raising the alarm.
- Moving a suspected spinal-injury casualty without need.