What is the R.A.C.E. method used in OR fire safety?

• A. Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish
• B. Rescue, Alarm, Evacuate, Extinguish
• C. Retrieve, Activate, Contain, Evacuate
• D. Rescue, Alert, Contain, Extinguish

Answer: (A)

RACE is a quick, action-oriented plan for handling a fire. The first responsibility is to Rescue anyone in immediate danger in the OR, if you can do so without putting yourself at risk. Next, Alarm to summon help and alert others to the fire’s location. Then Contain by confining the fire and smoke to the smallest area possible—close doors, and shut off oxygen or other ignition sources if it’s safe. The final step is Extinguish if the fire is small and you’re trained to use a proper extinguisher; if not, evacuate to safety and wait for professional responders. This mirrors the standard OR fire safety guidance, which uses Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish. The other options change the verbs or swap Extinguish for Evacuate, which doesn’t align with the established sequence.