FLSD Emergency Preparedness 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During an emergency, the FLSD is responsible for meeting FDNY at which location?
- The roof of the building
- The fire floor
- The fire command station (lobby command center) (Correct answer)
- The nearest stairwell to the fire
Correct answer: The fire command station (lobby command center)
The Fire Command Station in the lobby is the designated coordination point where the FLSD meets and assists FDNY incident commanders.
Question 2: A fire alarm is activated on the 22nd floor of a 40-story building. Which floors should receive a relocation signal directing occupants to move to a lower floor?
- Floors 20 through 24 (Correct answer)
- Floors 20 through 22
- Floors 21 through 24
- Only floor 22
Correct answer: Floors 20 through 24
Relocation typically involves the fire floor and two floors above and below to create a buffer zone, though exact protocols may vary by building plan.
Question 3: What action should the FLSD take when a sprinkler head activates in a mechanical room?
- Reset the fire alarm panel immediately to silence the alarm
- Investigate the area, confirm the activation, call 911, and implement the emergency plan (Correct answer)
- Shut off the main water supply to prevent water damage
- Evacuate only the mechanical room occupants
Correct 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.
Question 4: Under what circumstance is a partial evacuation (selective evacuation) appropriate in a high-rise building?
- When the fire is confirmed to be small and contained to one room
- When directed by FDNY or specified in the approved Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan (Correct answer)
- When the FLSD personally assesses the threat as low risk
- When more than half the elevators are operational
Correct answer: When directed by FDNY or specified in the approved Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan
Selective evacuation is only appropriate when specified by the building's approved Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan or directed by FDNY on scene.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes a 'Certificate of Fitness' as it relates to a Fire Life Safety Director in New York City?
- A medical clearance document proving the FLSD is physically fit for duty
- An FDNY-issued permit authorizing a person to perform specific fire safety functions (Correct answer)
- A building inspection certificate issued annually by the NYC Buildings Department
- A training certificate from a private fire safety training school
Correct answer: An FDNY-issued permit authorizing a person to perform specific fire safety functions
A Certificate of Fitness (CoF) is an FDNY-issued permit that authorizes an individual to perform specific fire safety duties, including serving as an FLSD.
Question 6: If a person with a mobility impairment cannot use the stairwell during a building evacuation, where should they be directed to wait?
- The nearest elevator lobby
- An area of refuge (area of rescue assistance) near a stairwell (Correct answer)
- The building lobby
- Their original floor location until FDNY arrives
Correct answer: An area of refuge (area of rescue assistance) near a stairwell
Areas of refuge are designated, fire-protected spaces adjacent to stairwells where mobility-impaired occupants wait safely for FDNY assistance.
Question 7: What is the correct FLSD response when the fire alarm activates but a preliminary investigation reveals no visible signs of fire or smoke?
- Reset the alarm panel and log it as a false alarm
- Contact FDNY to cancel the response since no fire was found
- Continue treating the alarm as real, maintain emergency procedures, and await FDNY (Correct answer)
- Announce to occupants that it was a false alarm and resume normal operations
Correct answer: Continue treating the alarm as real, maintain emergency procedures, and await FDNY
The FLSD must treat every alarm as a real emergency until FDNY investigates and declares the building safe; only FDNY can authorize resuming normal operations.
FLSD Emergency Preparedness 5
During an emergency, the FLSD is responsible for meeting FDNY at which location?