Fire Safety, First Aid and Emergency Preparedness and Response
Fire
Fire needs fuel, oxygen and heat; the tetrahedron adds the chemical chain reaction. Classes: A solids (water, foam, powder), B flammable liquids (foam, CO₂, powder), C gases (isolate supply, powder), D metals (special powders), E live electrical (CO₂ or powder, never water), F cooking oils (wet chemical). Use extinguishers with PASS - Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep - only on a small fire with a clear escape route. For evacuation use RACE: Rescue/Remove, Alarm, Contain, Evacuate. Fire risk assessment covers ignition sources, fuel, detection, escape routes, signage, drills and assembly-point roll call.
Emergency preparedness
Emergency plan, defined roles, communication, drills, mutual aid, business continuity, and review after every exercise or real event.
First aid
DRABC - Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation. Adult CPR: 30 compressions to 2 breaths, 100–120 per minute, about 5–6 cm deep; attach an AED as soon as it arrives. Recovery position for an unconscious but breathing casualty. Burns: cool with running water about 20 minutes, cover, no ointment or ice. Bleeding: direct pressure and elevate. Suspected fracture: immobilise, never realign. Shock: lie the casualty down, keep warm, give nothing by mouth.
Traps
Water on electrical or oil fires; CPR ratio reversed; giving an unconscious person a drink; assuming a stocked kit replaces trained first aiders.
Rule of thumb
See the fire, raise the alarm, tackle it only if trained and the escape route is clear, then report to the assembly point for roll call.