In fire safety, what does the acronym RACE stand for?

• A. Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish
• B. Remove, Activate, Contain, Evacuate
• C. Respond, Alert, Contain, Extinguish
• D. Rescue, Assess, Contain, Extinguish

Answer: (A)

The key idea tested is the proper sequence of actions to respond to a fire in a way that protects people first and then addresses the fire. The four actions represented by the acronym are Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish. Start by attempting to rescue anyone in immediate danger, but only if you can do so without putting yourself at risk. Next, raise the alarm to alert others and summon help. Then work to contain the fire by taking steps to limit its spread, such as closing doors behind you. Finally, extinguish the fire if you have the appropriate training and the fire is small enough to control; if not, evacuate and let professionals handle it. This order keeps safety the priority, then prevents spread, and only then attempts to put out the fire. The other sequences use terms or an order that don’t align with this established protocol, which could delay warning or containment.