F89 Non-Fire Emergencies Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: 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?
- Evacuate the building using the nearest stairwell.
- Move to the highest floor of the building for better visibility.
- Continue normal operations as high-rise buildings are structurally sound.
- Move to an interior location away from windows, such as a core hallway or stairwell, on the lowest floor possible. (Correct answer)
Correct 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.
Question 2: 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?
- The on-duty FLSD and building engineering staff.
- Tenant employees from the targeted office who are familiar with the space. (Correct answer)
- The FDNY bomb squad upon their arrival.
- Building security staff who have been trained in search procedures.
Correct 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.
Question 3: 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?
- Resetting the fire alarm panel which may have gone into trouble.
- Announcing the estimated time for power restoration to all tenants.
- Checking the status of all elevators and coordinating the rescue of any trapped occupants. (Correct answer)
- Conducting a roll call of all EAP staff members.
Correct 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.
Question 4: 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?
- "An emergency has been reported. Please evacuate using the nearest stairwell immediately."
- "Attention. There is an active shooter in the building. Evacuate, Hide, or Fight. This is not a drill."
- "Attention. A serious security situation is in progress. Shelter in place, lock your doors, silence your phones, and await further instructions." (Correct answer)
- "We are investigating a report of an emergency. Please standby for more information."
Correct 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.
Question 5: 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?
- Implementing lockdown procedures, securing all entrances, and advising occupants to stay away from exterior windows. (Correct answer)
- Dispatching building staff outside to form a barrier and de-escalate the situation.
- Making a PA announcement advising all occupants to evacuate the building from the rear exits.
- Pulling the fire alarm to ensure a faster police and fire department response.
Correct 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.
Question 6: 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?
- Reverse the airflow to push the contaminated air outside.
- Increase the flow of outside air into the building to dilute the agent.
- Activate the smoke purge system to exhaust the mailroom.
- Shut down the HVAC system entirely to prevent circulation of the contaminant. (Correct answer)
Correct 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.
F89 Non-Fire Emergencies Questions and Answers 1
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?