According to the RACE acronym, what should be done first in case of a fire?

The RACE acronym stands for Rescue, Alarm, Contain, and Extinguish, which provides a systematic approach for responding to a fire emergency in a healthcare or similar setting. The first step, as indicated by the acronym, is to "Rescue" anyone who may be in immediate danger.

This is essential because protecting life is the top priority during a fire. In situations where a fire occurs, ensuring the safety of patients and other individuals in the vicinity is crucial. Rescue involves quickly assessing the situation, moving anyone who cannot evacuate on their own to safety, and ensuring that they are out of harm's way before proceeding with further steps.

Following this first step, activating the fire alarm is important to alert others of the danger. However, it must come after ensuring that anyone who is at risk is moved to safety. Similarly, containing or extinguishing the fire is only relevant after rescuing individuals; firefighting efforts should not compromise the safety of people. The focus during a fire emergency is always on saving lives first.