Instructor Guide
Session Reference: 1
Topic: Presenting the "Home Escape Drill"
Time Required: 2 hours
Materials: Smoke alarm window, Bed mailbox, tree, Door telephone
References:
Essentials of Fire Fighting, Fourth Edition, Chapter 19
Preparation
Motivation
Objective (SPO) 1-1
The student will demonstrate a basic knowledge of smoke alarms, home escape planning, exiting a building, checking a door for heat, climbing out a window and using the emergency number; and be able to demonstrate all skills.
Overview
• Understand the smoke alarm
• Action taken when alarm sounds
• Getting out of bed
• Checking the door for heat
• Using an alternate escape route
• Climbing out the window
• Identifying the meeting place
• Calling the emergency number
Session 1
Presenting the "Home Escape Drill"
SPO 1-1 The student will demonstrate a basic knowledge of smoke alarms, home escape planning, exiting a building, checking a door for heat, climbing out a window, identifying a meeting place and using the emergency number.
EO 1-1 Describe how the smoke alarm operates
EO 1-2 Explain what to do when the smoke alarm sounds
EO 1-3 Describe the technique of rolling out of bed and crawling to the door
EO 1-4 Demonstrate checking a door for heat
EO 1-5 Describe the use of an alternate escape route
EO 1-6 Demonstrate a safe method of climbing out a window
EO 1-7 Identify a meeting place
E0 1-8 Discuss how to call 911 and what information needs to be given
I. Smoke Alarms - How they work (EO 1-1)
A. Smoke sensors
1. Light beam
2. Radioactive material in chamber
B. Power
1. Hardwire
2. Battery
3. Hardwire with battery back-up
C. Alarm sound
D. Test button
II. When the alarm sounds (EO 1-2)
A. Daytime
1. React to alarm sound
2. Seek the nearest exit and go out
B. Nighttime
1. Awaken and orient
2. Roll out of bed
3. Crawl to door
4. Feel door for heat
5. Exit if cool. If hot, use another way out
III. Crawling (EO 1-3)
A. Roll out of bed
1. Do not sit up
2. Stay low
B. Crawling techniques
1. On hands and knees
2. Not so low that mouth and nose are on the floor
3. Stay low, visibility is better, air is cooler
IV. Checking a door for heat (EO 1-4)
A. Use back of hand
1. Back is more sensitive
2. Eliminate chance of muscle reaction of palm
B. Start low and sweep across door
C. Touch door handle
V. Alternate Escape Route
A. Identify another way out
1. another door
2. window
B. Second floor window
1. escape ladder
2. porch roof
3. tree
C. First floor window
1. open window
2. climb out
VI. Climbing Out a Window
A. Open window
1. operate locking mechanism to open
2. open window by raising bottom section
B. Climbing out
1. Raise one leg over the sill
2. Bring body/torso on sill
3. Slide out with other leg to follow
VII. Meeting Place
A. Identify ONE (1) location outside the structure
B. Make sure that all persons know the one location
C. Should be in a safe area
VIII. Emergency Number
A. Know the number 9-1-1 (or local number)
B. Say nine-one-one (not nine-eleven)
C. Call from a neighbor's house or use cell phone outside
D. Information needed for dispatcher
1. name
2. address
3. phone number
4. cross street
5. nature of problem
6. when event occurred
IX. Practice the sequence
A. Assign personnel to the following "stations"
1. bed area with smoke alarm
2. door
3. window
4. meeting place
5. neighbor/telephone area
B. Select a person to be the occupant
C. Have person react to the alarm, roll out of bed and crawl to the door
D. Have person check the door for heat
E. Tell person that door is hot, seek alternate route
F. Spot person has they climb out window
G. Person checks in at meeting place
H. Proceed to neighbor to make call
I. Ask what information needs to be given
J. Repeat the process with different personnel assigned to various stations
Summary
Review
• Understanding the smoke alarm
• Action when smoke alarm sounds
• Getting out of bed
• Checking the door
• Using alternate route
• Climbing out the window
• Identify the meeting place
• Calling the emergency number
