What is the first step to take if a fire is detected?

Activating the fire alarm system is the best first step to take if a fire is detected because it ensures that an immediate warning is issued to all occupants in the building. This action triggers the alarm to sound throughout the premises, allowing everyone to evacuate safely and promptly. It also notifies the monitoring service to alert the fire department automatically or activate other emergency response protocols, ensuring that professional help is on the way as quickly as possible.

While notifying the nearest fire station, attempting to smother the fire, or calling the fire department directly might seem like viable actions, they are not the most effective immediate response. Activating the fire alarm achieves multiple objectives at once — it alerts everyone in the building, initiates an evacuation, and notifies emergency responders without delay.