Mixed Deck — All FLSD Topics Flashcards

During an emergency, the FLSD receives conflicting instructions from the building owner and the fire incident commander on-scene. Who has authority?

Answer: The fire incident commander, who assumes command during active emergencies

Once fire department personnel arrive on-scene, the incident commander assumes overall command authority, and the FLSD serves in a supporting advisory role.

During a high-rise fire emergency, a tenant reports that a person in a wheelchair is stranded on the 18th floor. What is the FLSD's priority action?

Answer: Guide them to the nearest Area of Rescue Assistance and notify the fire department

Areas of Rescue Assistance are designated safe locations where mobility-impaired occupants wait for fire department assistance during evacuations.

A tenant on the 22nd floor requests a copy of the building's Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan. What is the FLSD's obligation under NYC Fire Code?

Answer: Provide only the floor-specific portion relevant to that tenant's floor

Tenants are entitled to the portion of the Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan relevant to their occupied floor, not necessarily the full building-wide plan.

In a high-rise building, voice evacuation systems are required to provide instructions to occupants. Which area must receive intelligible voice messages FIRST during a fire alarm?

Answer: The fire floor and the floors immediately above and below

NFPA 72 and NYC high-rise codes require that voice evacuation messages be directed first to the fire floor and the floors immediately above and below to prioritize those in greatest danger.

A high-rise building's roof exhaust fans are part of the smoke control system. During a fire, they are used to:

Answer: Exhaust smoke from the building to assist in visibility and evacuation

Roof exhaust fans remove smoke from the building, improving visibility in evacuation routes and reducing toxic smoke exposure for occupants and firefighters.

A FLSD notices that non-English-speaking occupants struggled to understand evacuation instructions during a drill. What is the BEST solution?

Answer: Provide multilingual fire safety materials and assign bilingual floor wardens where possible

Providing fire safety information in multiple languages and using bilingual wardens ensures all occupants can understand and follow evacuation procedures.

A fire emergency occurs and the primary stairwell designated for evacuation is blocked by heavy smoke. What should the FLSD instruct floor wardens to do?

Answer: Direct occupants to use an alternate egress stairwell and notify the fire department of the blocked stairwell

Alternate stairwells must be used when the primary route is compromised, and the fire department must be informed immediately of the blocked egress path.

Which agency has primary jurisdiction over medical emergencies in NYC high-rise buildings?

Answer: FDNY EMS (Emergency Medical Services)

FDNY EMS has primary jurisdiction over medical emergencies. The FLSD facilitates their response by controlling elevators and providing location information.

When should a floor warden use their floor warden kit's emergency flashlight?

Answer: During actual emergencies when power failure or smoke reduces visibility in the stairwell

Flashlights in floor warden kits are for actual emergencies when visibility is reduced by power failure or smoke — they should be checked monthly but used when needed during real emergencies.

Each exit route door must be free of decorations or signs that obscure the __________ of the door.

Answer: Visibility

Each exit route door must be free of decorations or signs that obscure the visibility of the door. This is important to ensure that in the event of an emergency, people can easily locate and access the exit route. Any obstructions or distractions that hinder the visibility of the door can delay or prevent individuals from safely exiting the building. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize visibility and keep exit route doors clear and unobstructed.

What is the purpose of the 'accountability' phase at the end of a fire evacuation drill?

Answer: To confirm all occupants and staff are accounted for and identify anyone missing from the designated assembly area

The accountability phase ensures every person is accounted for at the assembly area, which is a critical life-safety function that mirrors real emergency procedures.

Which symbol on a hazardous material label indicates an oxidizer?

Answer: A flame over a circle

A flame over a circle (GHS03) indicates an oxidizer — a substance that can accelerate combustion by supplying oxygen. Oxidizers are especially dangerous near flammable materials and require specific storage separation in buildings.

A victim of an active shooter incident has an open chest wound (sucking chest wound). What is the correct field treatment before EMS arrival?

Answer: Apply a vented chest seal or improvised occlusive dressing taped on three sides

A vented chest seal or three-sided occlusive dressing allows air to escape on exhalation while preventing air entry, reducing the risk of tension pneumothorax.

A violent confrontation breaks out between two occupants in a building lobby. The FLSD should:

Answer: Call NYPD, keep other occupants away from the area, and avoid personal confrontation

The FLSD should call NYPD, prevent other occupants from being endangered, and avoid direct physical confrontation — physical intervention could escalate the situation or result in FLSD injury.

New floor wardens in a high-rise building must receive initial training that covers:

Answer: Emergency procedures, evacuation routes, fire alarm systems, and their specific floor responsibilities

Initial floor warden training must cover all emergency procedures, building-specific evacuation routes, fire alarm system basics, and the floor warden's specific responsibilities.

During a training session, a floor warden asks what to do if they discover a fire before the alarm activates. What is the correct guidance?

Answer: Activate the nearest manual pull station, call 911, then begin directing occupants to evacuate

Upon discovering a fire, the floor warden should immediately activate the manual pull station and call 911, then begin directing occupants to evacuate per the fire safety plan.

A tenant reports a strong, unusual chemical odor coming from a neighboring office suite. FDNY has not yet been called. What should the FLSD do IMMEDIATELY?

Answer: Notify FDNY, restrict access to the area, and prepare for possible larger evacuation

An unidentified chemical odor is a potential HAZMAT incident. The FLSD must notify FDNY immediately, restrict personnel from entering the affected area, and be ready to expand the evacuation. Entering the space or waiting delays professional response.

What is the primary purpose of a fire department connection (FDC) on a sprinkler system?

Answer: To allow firefighters to boost water pressure to the system

The FDC allows fire department pumper trucks to supplement or restore water supply and pressure to the building's sprinkler system during firefighting operations.

What action should the FLSD take when a sprinkler head activates in a mechanical room?

Answer: Investigate the area, confirm the activation, call 911, and implement the emergency plan

Any sprinkler activation must be treated as a real fire emergency: confirm the situation, call 911, and execute the fire safety plan.

Which of the following best describes the purpose of a pre-fire plan for a high-rise building?

Answer: A document provided to the fire department detailing building layout, hazards, and emergency systems

A pre-fire plan gives responding firefighters critical information about building layout, occupancy, hazards, and the location of fire protection systems.