CNA · Basic Nursing Skills · 6 min read
Fire Safety, Evacuation and Oxygen Precautions
- Explain the elements of fire and how to respond correctly using the RACE and PASS protocols.
- Describe safe evacuation methods, fire door rules, and the CNA's role during a facility fire emergency.
- Identify critical oxygen safety precautions, skin observation points, and equipment rules within the nurse aide's scope of practice.
Understanding Fire and the RACE Protocol
Fire is a major hazard in any healthcare environment. For a fire to start and continue burning, three essential elements must come together: heat, fuel, and oxygen. Removing any one of these components stops a fire. In healthcare settings, preventing electrical hazards is a key part of fire prevention. Nurse aides must promptly report any frayed electrical cords, damaged outlets, or sparking equipment to the nurse so these hazards can be removed before a fire starts.
When a fire does occur in a healthcare facility, staff members must act quickly and calmly. The acronym RACE guides the essential steps to take in the event of a healthcare facility fire. Each letter represents a vital action designed to protect human life first and control property damage second.
In the RACE protocol, the letter 'R' stands for Remove or Rescue anyone in immediate danger. The letter 'A' stands for Activate the fire alarm and alert staff. The letter 'C' stands for Confine or Contain the fire by closing all doors and windows. Finally, 'E' stands for Evacuate or, if trained and it is safe to do so, Extinguish the fire. Memorizing this order helps you react without hesitation during a real emergency.
| Letter | Action Step | Nurse Aide Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| R | Remove / Rescue | Move any residents who are in immediate danger to safety first. |
| A | Activate Alarm | Pull the fire alarm and notify facility staff of the fire's presence. |
| C | Confine / Contain | Close all doors and windows to stop smoke and flames from spreading. |
| E | Evacuate / Extinguish | Evacuate residents or use an extinguisher if trained and safe to do so. |
Common mistakes
- Adjusting the oxygen flow meter when a resident appears breathless, instead of alerting the nurse immediately.
- Refilling an empty oxygen humidifier bottle independently instead of notifying the nurse.
- Using petroleum-based jelly on a resident's chapped lips while they are using oxygen therapy.
- Propping open a heavy fire door with a wedge to make room-to-room evacuation faster.
Key points
- Fire requires heat, fuel, and oxygen; CNAs help prevent fires by reporting frayed cords, damaged outlets, or sparking equipment to the nurse.
- In a fire, follow RACE: Remove anyone in danger, Activate the alarm, Confine the fire by closing doors and windows, and Evacuate or Extinguish.
- To use an extinguisher safely, follow PASS: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep back and forth.
- Follow facility plans for horizontal or vertical evacuation, avoid elevators, keep hallways clear, never prop fire doors open, and test doors with the back of the hand.
- Oxygen therapy requires a clinician's order; the CNA never starts, stops, or adjusts oxygen flow rates, nor refills humidifier bottles.
- Oxygen accelerates combustion: prohibit smoking, open flames, sparking appliances, static-prone fabrics, and petroleum products near oxygen.
- Keep oxygen cylinders secured in approved stands, observe skin for tubing pressure, check for kinks, and report low supply or resident distress to the nurse immediately.
Practice this section
Explained CNA Basic Nursing Skills questions, no account needed. CNA Basic Nursing Skills practice test
The full lesson continues with 4 more sections with exam tips, audio in English and Spanish, 5 Check yourself questions and 20 flashcards.
- 1 month
$38.99$19.49 - 3 months
$113.99$56.99 - Lifetime
$233.99$116.99
One payment, no subscription.
See CNA plansAlready a member? Log in
Sample lesson: Standard Precautions, Hand Hygiene and PPE25 practice questions on this exam
Each CNA practice test has 25 original questions with the answers explained. No account needed.
Open the CNA practice testsOriginal lesson written for CNA practice · updated October 15, 2026. Exam names are trademarks of their owners; tests.global is not affiliated with them.