FLSD Non-Fire Emergency Response 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a reported gas leak in a high-rise building, what is the Fire Life Safety Director's FIRST priority?
- Call the gas utility company
- Evacuate floors immediately above and below the leak (Correct answer)
- Notify building management
- Silence all alarms to prevent panic
Correct answer: Evacuate floors immediately above and below the leak
Floors directly above and below a gas leak are at greatest risk and should be evacuated first while the utility company is notified simultaneously.
Question 2: A person in the lobby is experiencing a suspected cardiac arrest. After calling 911, what should the FLSD do next?
- Wait at the building entrance for EMS to arrive
- Direct a trained staff member to begin CPR immediately (Correct answer)
- Move the victim to a quiet area away from other occupants
- Secure all elevators to reserve them for EMS
Correct answer: Direct a trained staff member to begin CPR immediately
Early CPR by a trained responder significantly improves survival odds and should begin without delay while EMS is en route.
Question 3: An active shooter is confirmed inside the building. Which response framework should the FLSD guide occupants to follow?
- PASS — Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
- RUN, HIDE, FIGHT (Correct answer)
- RACE — Remove, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish
- CERT triage protocol
Correct answer: RUN, HIDE, FIGHT
The Run, Hide, Fight protocol is the nationally recognized framework for active-shooter situations taught by FEMA and law enforcement.
Question 4: During a structural collapse affecting part of the building, which area should the FLSD establish as the command post?
- Inside the collapsed zone to assess damage
- At the nearest exit on the ground floor
- A safe location outside the collapse zone with clear sightlines (Correct answer)
- The rooftop to coordinate with aerial responders
Correct answer: A safe location outside the collapse zone with clear sightlines
The command post must be positioned safely outside the hazard zone while allowing the FLSD to coordinate with emergency responders effectively.
Question 5: A tenant calls the Fire Control Room reporting a strong chemical smell on the 18th floor but no visible smoke. What should the FLSD do FIRST?
- Dismiss the report until a second call is received
- Dispatch a fire warden to investigate and report back (Correct answer)
- Evacuate the entire building immediately
- Activate the building's public address system to announce the situation
Correct answer: Dispatch a fire warden to investigate and report back
Sending a trained fire warden to investigate allows the FLSD to gather accurate information before deciding whether to escalate the response.
Question 6: During a power outage affecting all building systems, which emergency system must remain operational under FDNY rules?
- HVAC ventilation
- Emergency voice/alarm communication system (EVACS) (Correct answer)
- Elevator dispatch controls
- Public Wi-Fi network
Correct answer: Emergency voice/alarm communication system (EVACS)
EVACS must remain powered by backup systems at all times to allow the FLSD to communicate with occupants during any emergency.
Question 7: A water main break has caused significant flooding in the basement mechanical room. Who should the FLSD notify FIRST?
- The building's insurance provider
- The Department of Buildings
- The utility company and building chief engineer simultaneously (Correct answer)
- Local media to warn surrounding businesses
Correct answer: The utility company and building chief engineer simultaneously
Notifying the utility company to shut off water supply and the chief engineer to address mechanical systems are the most immediately actionable steps.
FLSD Non-Fire Emergency Response 4
During a reported gas leak in a high-rise building, what is the Fire Life Safety Director's FIRST priority?