FDNY Community Engagement and Public Education 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The FDNY's 'Stop, Drop, and Roll' technique is most applicable when:
- Smoke is detected in a hallway
- A person's clothing catches fire (Correct answer)
- A fire extinguisher is unavailable
- Exiting a smoke-filled building
Correct answer: A person's clothing catches fire
Stop, Drop, and Roll is the correct response when a person's clothing ignites, as it smothers the flames by cutting off oxygen.
Question 2: When educating the public about cooking fires, which action should FDNY educators identify as the MOST dangerous response to a grease fire?
- Sliding a lid over the pan
- Turning off the heat source
- Pouring water on the burning grease (Correct answer)
- Using a Class K fire extinguisher
Correct answer: Pouring water on the burning grease
Pouring water on a grease fire causes a violent steam explosion that dramatically spreads the fire, making it extremely dangerous.
Question 3: Which NYC building type is the primary focus of FDNY high-rise fire safety education campaigns?
- Single-family detached homes
- Garden apartments
- H-type and tower residential buildings (Correct answer)
- Commercial warehouses
Correct answer: H-type and tower residential buildings
H-type and tower residential buildings are common NYC high-rise configurations that require specific fire safety education due to their unique evacuation challenges.
Question 4: A parent asks an FDNY educator how to explain fire safety to a 4-year-old child. The best approach recommended is:
- Use detailed technical manuals about fire chemistry
- Teach children to handle fire extinguishers independently
- Practice a home fire drill and establish a meeting place outside (Correct answer)
- Explain that children should call 911 from inside a burning room
Correct answer: Practice a home fire drill and establish a meeting place outside
Practicing a home fire drill with a designated outdoor meeting place teaches young children a concrete, actionable safety skill appropriate for their age.
Question 5: The FDNY recommends placing a smoke alarm outside every sleeping area AND inside every bedroom for what primary reason?
- To comply with decoration requirements
- Because people may sleep with bedroom doors closed, reducing alarm audibility (Correct answer)
- To meet FDNY union contract requirements
- Because bedroom smoke alarms are optional extras
Correct answer: Because people may sleep with bedroom doors closed, reducing alarm audibility
Sleeping with doors closed reduces the audibility of hallway alarms, so bedroom smoke alarms ensure sleeping occupants are awakened in time.
Question 6: Which community education message is MOST important for FDNY educators to deliver regarding candle use in NYC apartments?
- Candles are permitted in all apartments without restrictions
- Never leave a burning candle unattended and keep it away from flammables (Correct answer)
- Candles should only be used in bathrooms with exhaust fans
- Electric candles are more dangerous than wax candles
Correct answer: Never leave a burning candle unattended and keep it away from flammables
Unattended candles and candles near combustible materials are leading causes of residential fires, making this the most critical candle safety message.
Question 7: The FDNY 'Know Your Building' campaign primarily educates residents about:
- How to perform building maintenance repairs
- Locating fire exits, stairwells, and fire alarm pull stations in their building (Correct answer)
- Identifying the building's architectural style
- Reporting noise complaints to the landlord
Correct answer: Locating fire exits, stairwells, and fire alarm pull stations in their building
Know Your Building teaches residents to familiarize themselves with exit locations, stairwells, and fire safety equipment before an emergency occurs.
FDNY Community Engagement and Public Education 3
The FDNY's 'Stop, Drop, and Roll' technique is most applicable when: