Knowing when and how to fight a fire can mean the difference between life and death for both staff and patients. Even when under pressure, you must always remember why you are there and why your facility exists: to maintain and improve the health and well being of your patients and residents.

After completing this activity, the participant should be able to:

• 1. identify the common causes of fires and the appropriate extinguisher for each.
• 2. decide when and when not to fight a fire in a given scenario.
• 3. describe how to reduce and confine a fire.
• 4. list the steps of properly operating a fire extinguisher.
• 5. identify where exits and fire extinguishers are located in a healthcare facility.
• 6. describe safety considerations related to evacuating patients during a fire.