FEMA certifications FEMA Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During an evacuation, what is the FIRST action you should take when you hear a building fire alarm?
- Gather personal belongings
- Leave immediately by the nearest safe exit (Correct answer)
- Call your supervisor for confirmation
- Wait to see if it is a drill
Correct answer: Leave immediately by the nearest safe exit
FEMA safety guidance directs occupants to evacuate immediately using the nearest safe exit when a fire alarm sounds.
Question 2: What does the acronym PASS stand for when operating a fire extinguisher?
- Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep (Correct answer)
- Push, Alert, Stop, Spray
- Prepare, Activate, Shake, Spray
- Pull, Alert, Squeeze, Stop
Correct answer: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
PASS stands for Pull the pin, Aim at the base, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side.
Question 3: In the FEMA fire safety guideline 'Get Low and Go,' why should you stay low while escaping smoke?
- Smoke and heat rise, leaving cleaner air near the floor (Correct answer)
- It is faster to crawl than walk
- Low light makes exits visible
- It conserves body energy
Correct answer: Smoke and heat rise, leaving cleaner air near the floor
Smoke and toxic gases rise, so the breathable air with the lowest heat is near the floor.
Question 4: What is the recommended way to check a closed door before opening it during a fire?
- Open it quickly to check the other side
- Feel the door and handle with the back of your hand for heat (Correct answer)
- Knock and listen for a response
- Look through the keyhole
Correct answer: Feel the door and handle with the back of your hand for heat
Using the back of your hand to feel for heat helps detect fire behind the door without burning your palm.
Question 5: How often does FEMA recommend testing home smoke alarms?
- Once a year
- At least once a month (Correct answer)
- Every five years
- Only when the battery chirps
Correct answer: At least once a month
FEMA and the USFA recommend testing smoke alarms at least once a month to ensure they work.
Question 6: If your clothing catches fire, what technique should you use?
- Run to find water
- Stop, Drop, and Roll (Correct answer)
- Wave your arms to smother flames
- Remove the clothing while standing
Correct answer: Stop, Drop, and Roll
Stop, Drop, and Roll smothers flames by cutting off oxygen to the fire on your clothing.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of a designated meeting place in a home fire escape plan?
- To store emergency supplies
- To account for all family members after evacuating (Correct answer)
- To wait for the fire to be extinguished
- To call insurance companies
Correct answer: To account for all family members after evacuating
A designated meeting place lets everyone confirm that all occupants escaped safely so no one re-enters.
During an evacuation, what is the FIRST action you should take when you hear a building fire alarm?