5.2 Fire & Environmental Safety
Key Takeaways
- RACE = Rescue residents, Alarm (pull station / call 911), Confine (close doors and windows), Extinguish or Evacuate.
- PASS = Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side.
- Oxygen accelerates fire — no smoking, open flames, or sparking electrical devices near oxygen in use; post 'Oxygen in Use' signs.
- Evacuate ambulatory residents first, then wheelchair residents, then bed-bound; horizontal evacuation before vertical, and never use elevators in a fire.
- The Florida CNA's first fire priority is always resident safety: rescue residents in immediate danger before fighting the fire.
Fire Safety in Florida Facilities
Florida nursing homes care for many residents with limited mobility, so fire response is a high-yield exam topic. CNAs are not firefighters — your job is to protect residents, raise the alarm, and follow the facility plan.
RACE — The Fire Response Sequence
When a fire is discovered, follow RACE in order:
| Letter | Action | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| R | Rescue | Move residents in immediate danger to safety first |
| A | Alarm | Pull the nearest fire alarm station and call 911 |
| C | Confine | Close doors and windows to slow fire and smoke spread |
| E | Extinguish / Evacuate | Use an extinguisher on a small fire only if trained and safe; otherwise evacuate |
Three elements feed a fire — heat, fuel, and oxygen. Closing doors removes oxygen flow and confines the fire, which is why the C step matters even when you cannot fight the flames.
PASS — Using a Fire Extinguisher
Only attempt a small, contained fire when you are trained, have a clear exit behind you, and are not put at risk. Use PASS:
| Letter | Action | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| P | Pull | Pull the safety pin |
| A | Aim | Aim at the base of the fire, not the flames |
| S | Squeeze | Squeeze the handle to discharge |
| S | Sweep | Sweep from side to side at the base |
Oxygen Safety
Many Florida residents use supplemental oxygen for COPD, heart failure, or end-of-life comfort. Oxygen does not burn by itself, but it makes everything else burn faster and hotter. Oxygen safety is one of the most reliably tested points on the Florida written exam.
Oxygen Rules
| Rule | Reason |
|---|---|
| No smoking near oxygen | Oxygen accelerates combustion explosively |
| No open flames | Candles, matches, and lighters are prohibited |
| No sparking electrical devices | Electric razors, heating pads, and frayed cords can ignite |
| Post 'Oxygen in Use' signs | Alerts staff, visitors, and emergency responders |
| Store tanks upright and secured | Prevents falls and valve damage |
| Avoid petroleum products and wool | Use water-based lubricants near oxygen |
Evacuation Roles and Priorities
If evacuation is ordered, the CNA helps move residents in priority order and reports to the assembly area for an accurate head count.
| Mobility | Method | Evacuation Order |
|---|---|---|
| Ambulatory | Walk with escort | First |
| Wheelchair | Push to safety | Second |
| Non-ambulatory / bed-bound | Carry, drag, blanket or evacuation-sheet drag | Last (most help needed) |
- Horizontal evacuation first: move residents through fire/smoke doors to a safe area on the same floor before considering moving them down a floor (vertical evacuation).
- Never use elevators during a fire — use stairs or evacuation devices.
- After evacuation, account for every resident, do not re-enter until the fire department gives an all-clear, and report to your supervisor.
Environmental Safety Year-Round
Report frayed cords, overloaded outlets, blocked exits, wet floors, and missing exit signs. Keep hallways and fire doors clear at all times. Participate actively in fire drills so the real response is automatic.
A CNA discovers a small fire in a resident's trash can while the resident is still in the room. What is the FIRST action under RACE?
A resident on continuous oxygen wants to use an electric heating pad and asks a visitor to light a scented candle. What should the CNA do?