Fire Basics and Safety

The fire tetrahedron shows the four elements needed for a fire to burn: fuel, heat, oxygen, and a chemical chain reaction. Remove any one of these elements, and the fire goes out. This simple concept is the key to all firefighting methods!

When facing a fire emergency, remember the acronym RACE. Though not fully explained in the notes, this likely stands for Remove people from danger, Activate the alarm, Contain the fire if possible, and Evacuate if necessary.

💡 Your safety always comes first! If a fire is too large or spreading quickly, evacuate immediately and call 911.

To use a fire extinguisher correctly, follow the PASS method: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep from side to side. Always aim at the fire's base where the fuel is, not at the flames themselves.

Different fires require different extinguishers. There are five classes of fires:

• Class A: Ordinary materials like wood, paper, and plastic
• Class B: Flammable liquids such as gasoline
• Class C: Electrical equipment
• Class D: Combustible metals
• Class K: Cooking oils and fats

Using the wrong extinguisher type can actually make a fire worse, so always check the label before using!