FLSD Non-Fire Emergency Response 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A significant earthquake occurs while the building is occupied. The FLSD's first priority after shaking stops is to:
- Immediately evacuate all occupants via stairwells
- Conduct a rapid building assessment for structural damage before deciding whether to evacuate (Correct answer)
- Activate the fire alarm to alert all occupants
- Contact the building owner for authorization to evacuate
Correct answer: Conduct a rapid building assessment for structural damage before deciding whether to evacuate
After an earthquake, the FLSD must first assess for structural damage, fire, gas leaks, and utility disruptions before deciding whether immediate evacuation is safer than sheltering in place.
Earthquake response differs from fire response — immediate evacuation is not automatically safer. Post-earthquake: (1) check for obvious structural damage (cracked columns, ceiling collapse, door frame distortion); (2) check for fire (broken gas lines, electrical sparks) — smell for gas, look for smoke; (3) do not use elevators; (4) check fire protection systems — earthquake may have activated sprinklers or disconnected alarm systems; (5) decide evacuation versus shelter based on damage assessment and NYC OEM guidance; (6) call 911 to report any injuries or major structural damage. The FLSD communicates with floor wardens to get building-wide damage reports quickly.
Question 2: A chemical odor is reported on the 10th floor and several occupants report feeling dizzy. The FLSD should:
- Investigate the source personally before calling for help
- Evacuate the 10th floor, call 911, and report the symptoms — do not send others to investigate without protection (Correct answer)
- Activate the fire alarm for the entire building immediately
- Open all windows on the 10th floor to ventilate the chemical
Correct answer: Evacuate the 10th floor, call 911, and report the symptoms — do not send others to investigate without protection
Reports of chemical odor with symptoms (dizziness) indicate a potential hazardous material incident. The 10th floor must be evacuated and 911 called immediately — FDNY Hazmat will respond.
Symptoms (dizziness, nausea, headache) accompanying an unknown chemical odor indicate a potentially serious hazardous material incident. The FLSD: (1) evacuates the reported floor immediately via PA and direct communication with the floor warden; (2) calls 911 and reports: floor number, number of affected persons, symptoms, and nature of the odor; (3) does NOT send untrained staff to investigate — only FDNY Hazmat has proper PPE and detection equipment; (4) moves affected occupants to fresh air and facilitates EMS evaluation; (5) closes doors to contain the potential contamination; (6) establishes an entry/exit control point to prevent reentry.
Question 3: A flood occurs in the basement mechanical room. The FLSD should be concerned about which immediate safety hazard?
- Water pressure damage to the standpipe system
- Electrical panel flooding causing electrocution hazard and potential fire (Correct answer)
- Sprinkler system water supply interruption
- Elevator shaft flooding affecting Phase I recall
Correct answer: Electrical panel flooding causing electrocution hazard and potential fire
Flooding near electrical panels, motors, and service equipment creates electrocution hazards and can cause electrical fires — this is the most immediate life safety concern.
Basement mechanical rooms typically house electrical switchgear, motor control centers, fire pump controls, and HVAC equipment. Flooding near electrical equipment creates: (1) immediate electrocution risk for anyone in the area; (2) potential for electrical fires or short circuits; (3) loss of critical building systems (fire pumps, HVAC, emergency systems). The FLSD: clears all personnel from the flooded area; has building engineers shut off electrical power to flooded equipment if safe to do so; calls 911 for any injuries; contacts the fire alarm monitoring company to verify fire protection systems remain operational; and arranges emergency service response.
Question 4: How should the FLSD handle a report of carbon monoxide (CO) accumulation in a parking garage beneath the building?
- Increase HVAC ventilation to the garage and monitor CO levels
- Evacuate the garage, call 911, and prevent re-entry until FDNY clears the space (Correct answer)
- Use portable CO detectors to identify the source before calling for help
- Notify the building engineer to investigate during the next maintenance window
Correct answer: Evacuate the garage, call 911, and prevent re-entry until FDNY clears the space
Carbon monoxide is an immediately dangerous, odorless gas. The garage must be evacuated immediately, 911 called, and no one allowed to re-enter until FDNY confirms the space is safe.
Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and lethal at concentrations above 200 ppm with extended exposure. CO in a parking garage typically comes from vehicle exhaust (cars left running, idling during delivery, malfunctioning vehicles). FLSD response: (1) immediately clear all persons from the garage; (2) call 911 — FDNY has CO detectors and fresh air breathing equipment; (3) prevent re-entry — post someone at the entrance; (4) do not enter the garage to search for occupants without FDNY present (rescuers can become victims); (5) ventilate the garage if fans can be activated remotely; (6) identify and stop the CO source (shut off vehicles or equipment).
Question 5: During a water main break causing flooding on multiple floors, the FLSD should prioritize which action?
- Contacting the building owner before any action
- Locating and shutting the main building water supply valve to stop the flooding (Correct answer)
- Calling FDNY to pump out the water
- Evacuating only the floors directly affected by visible water
Correct answer: Locating and shutting the main building water supply valve to stop the flooding
The most effective immediate action during internal flooding is to shut the main building water supply valve to stop the source, limiting damage and hazards.
For internal water main breaks, the priority is stopping the water source. The FLSD must know the location of: the main building water shutoff valve, individual floor or zone shutoff valves, and the emergency contact for the building plumber. Steps: (1) alert floor wardens on affected floors and evacuate if water depth is hazardous; (2) direct building engineer or maintenance staff to shut the appropriate valve; (3) cut power to electrical equipment in flooded areas; (4) call Con Edison if building electrical systems are at risk; (5) call DEP/plumber for pipe repair; (6) document the incident. Calling FDNY (911) is appropriate if the flooding threatens building systems or causes injuries.
Question 6: A power outage occurs during business hours. The building's emergency generator does not start. The FLSD should:
- Wait 10 minutes before taking any action to allow the generator to auto-start
- Verify life safety systems are operational on battery backup and call the generator service company (Correct answer)
- Evacuate the building immediately as all safety systems are offline
- Reset the generator manually using the main control panel
Correct answer: Verify life safety systems are operational on battery backup and call the generator service company
If the generator fails to start, the FLSD verifies that battery-backed emergency systems (exit signs, emergency lighting, fire alarm) are operational and immediately calls the generator service company for emergency repair.
Battery backup systems (exit signs, emergency lighting, fire alarm) are designed to operate without generator power for 90 minutes. If the generator fails: (1) the FLSD verifies all battery-backed life safety systems are illuminated and functional; (2) contacts the generator service company for emergency repair; (3) contacts Con Edison to determine cause and estimated restoration time; (4) evaluates whether the building can remain occupied safely (elevators out, HVAC off, lighting reduced); (5) considers partial or full evacuation if the outage will be prolonged and occupant safety is at risk; (6) documents the event and generator failure.
FLSD Non-Fire Emergency Response 2
A significant earthquake occurs while the building is occupied.
The FLSD's first priority after shaking stops is to: