Fire
At the first sign of visible fire or visible smoke, immediately respond following the R.A.C.E. procedure.

• R - RESCUE: Remove occupants from the affected area. Provide assistance as appropriate. For patient care areas, rescue patients in immediate danger from fire.
• A - ALARM: If there is visible fire or smoke, report the fire to others in the area by shouting "CODE RED". Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station to alert all building occupants. If you are located in a NYP building, call the fire hotline: 746-FIRE (3473).
• C - CONFINE: Close all doors, including interior doors, to the area to confine a fire and minimize the risk of the fire spreading. Damp towels should be placed at the base of the door to minimize smoke entering an area where occupants or patients are unable to evacuate.
• E - EVACUATE / EXTINGUISH: In the event of a fire or fire alarm, occupants must evacuate the building as specified in the Building-Specific Fire Safety Procedures or EHS approved local fire safety plan. Fire extinguishers should only be used by trained personnel and only after the other R.A.C.E. procedures have been fully implemented.

Smoke
If you see smoke, follow the procedures under Fire.

If you smell smoke it does not necessarily mean that there is a fire. The smell of smoke can be caused by many different factors and should be investigated quickly by appropriate personnel. If you smell smoke, follow these procedures:

• Look around immediate area to see if you see fire or visible smoke. If you see fire or visible smoke, follow the R.A.C.E. procedure as described under Fire.
• If you do not see fire or visible smoke, contact: Environmental Health and Safety who will respond to the area immediately to investigate.
  WCMC Environmental Health and Safety: 646-962-7233
  NYP Environmental Health and Safety: 212-746-1926

Explosion

If an explosion takes place inside your building and on your floor:

• Evacuate immediately using the closest unaffected fire exit and leave the building.
• Never use an elevator to evacuate unless you are instructed by responding personnel that it is okay to do so.
• Remain in a group and assist each other as needed.
• Make sure everyone is accounted for and proceed to an assembly area a distance away at least equal to the height of the building.
• Provide as much information as possible to authorities, Security or Environmental Health and Safety staff.

If an explosion takes place in your building, but not on your floor or takes place outside the building:

• Immediately relocate away from exterior walls and windows.
• Move towards the nearest fire exit at the center of the building, which provides the greatest structural support.
• Do NOT evacuate your floor unless there is visible smoke or fire or if authorities instruct you to do so.
• Use fire stairs to evacuate. Never use an elevator to evacuate unless directed to do so by responding personnel.

Additional Resources
WCMC Fire Safety Manual (Intranet only)