The acronym R.A.C.E. represents a well-established protocol used across hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes to manage fire or smoke incidents swiftly and effectively. This sequence of actions provides healthcare personnel with a clear, memorizable framework for prioritizing patient safety and minimizing facility damage when a fire is detected. The R.A.C.E. protocol is a fundamental component of mandatory fire safety training for all staff, ensuring a coordinated and rapid reaction.
The R.A.C.E. Protocol: Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish
The first step in the sequence is Rescue, which mandates the immediate movement of any individuals in the area of immediate danger. Healthcare staff must prioritize assisting patients, visitors, and colleagues away from the fire or smoke hazard toward a safe zone. This is often complicated in a healthcare setting because many patients may be non-ambulatory, requiring staff to use specialized equipment or techniques for rapid movement.
The second step is to Alarm, which involves activating the facility’s fire alarm system to alert all building occupants to the emergency. Simultaneously, staff must notify the facility’s command center or emergency services, typically by calling a specific internal number or an external emergency line. The notification should provide a precise location of the fire, allowing for the timely dispatch of internal response teams and the fire department.
Following the alarm, the protocol calls for Confine, which focuses on containing the fire and smoke to limit its spread throughout the building. The primary action here is to close all doors to the affected area, including patient room doors and fire-rated doors, as this establishes smoke compartments. Closing doors starves the fire of oxygen and significantly slows the spread of smoke, which is a major cause of injury and death in building fires.
The final element, Extinguish or Evacuate, involves a critical decision-making process based on the fire’s size and location. Staff should only attempt to extinguish the fire if it is small, easily manageable, and they have been properly trained to do so. If the fire is large, growing rapidly, or if the staff member’s safety is compromised, the immediate action shifts to full evacuation of the area or floor.
Context and Companion Protocols
The R.A.C.E. protocol is especially significant within healthcare because of the presence of vulnerable populations who cannot easily move themselves to safety. This fire response strategy is often taught alongside a complementary acronym that focuses on the mechanics of using a fire extinguisher. That companion protocol is P.A.S.S., which stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep. P.A.S.S. provides the specific technique for using a fire extinguisher, which is the physical action that complements the “Extinguish” part of the R.A.C.E. sequence.