7.6 Fire Fighting Drills

7.6.1 General

1. Drill scenarios will provide each crew member with the opportunity to merge procedural knowledge with practical skills. Their ability to successfully react to different fire situations will enhance their level of confidence and their ability to deal with fires in flight.

7.6.2 Simulation Scenarios

1. Cabin fire fighting drills may include class A, B, C fires in the following locations:
    
   1. Cabin area (e.g. under seat, overhead bin, closet);
   2. Galley area (e.g. garbage bin, upper electrical panel, oven);
   3. Confined area (e.g. waste bin, lavatory); and
   4. Hidden (e.g. behind panels).

7.6.3 Equipment Criteria

1. Fire fighting drills shall be conducted using aircraft furnishings as found on the operator's aircraft as appropriate to the drill scenario (e.g. seats, galley units, panels, waste bins, etc.).
2. Fire fighting equipment and the brackets used for restraint shall be identical to those installed in the aircraft with respect to weight, dimensions, controls, types and operations. Fire extinguishers used for live fire fighting shall be charged with the appropriate agent or with an environmentally friendly agent. Protective Breathing Equipment (P.B.E.) consisting of a portable oxygen bottle and full-face mask shall be charged with oxygen. Self-contained P.B.E. may be substituted with a training smoke hood which is not operational.

7.6.4 Cabin Fire Fighting Drill Performance Criteria

1. Each crew member shall participate as a crew member or a passenger in a fire fighting drill in a cabin environment involving at least one crew member and a passenger(s) and perform the following:
    
   1. Recognize that there is a potential fire situation (e.g. smoke detector signal or unusual fumes, odours, etc.);
   2. Locate the source of fire;
   3. Apply communication and co-ordination procedures;
   4. Select, remove and operate the nearest appropriate fire extinguisher and other fire fighting equipment;
   5. Control of passengers; and
   6. Monitor for re-ignition, and apply post-fire follow-up procedures.

7.6.5 Evaluation Criteria

1. Crew member performance shall be observed, rated and debriefed according to the following:
    
   1. Recognition or identification of the problem;
   2. Correctly locates the source of the fire (e.g. tactile search, use of crash axe, etc);
   3. Effective communication/coordination procedures throughout the drill (e.g. notifying fellow crew members of the situation, providing clear, concise and consistent information to the pilot-in-command, advice and assistance to passengers);
   4. Response in a timely manner;
   5. Correct use of fire fighting equipment consistent with the type of fire, location of the fire and maximum effective position of the fire extinguisher;
   6. Undertake further action as required; and
   7. Consequences of error.

7.6.6 Equipment Practice

1. Each crew member shall demonstrate the ability to use fire fighting equipment not operated in 7.6.3 and perform the following:
    
   1. Remove from stowage, don and activate P.B.E. and practice communication;
   2. Remove from stowage and operate each type of fire extinguisher (uncharged) and associated attachments (e.g. extinguisher fitted with hose attachment, extension [wand], etc.); and
   3. Initiate fire fighting procedures including intervention involving one or more crew members or a passenger(s).

7.6.7 Class B Main Deck Cargo Fire Fighting Drill

1. Equipment Criteria
    
   1. Fire fighting equipment and the brackets used for restraint shall be identical to those installed in the aircraft with respect to weight, dimensions, controls, types and operations. (Self-contained portable breathing equipment may be substituted with a training smoke hood, which is not operational.)
       
2. Performance Criteria
    
   1. Each crew member will practice the following:
       
      1. Don protective clothing and equipment in the correct sequence; and while wearing;
      2. Don and activate or simulate activation of protective breathing equipment;
      3. Select and remove from stowage the proper fire extinguishing equipment;
      4. Attach wand extension to the extinguisher; and
      5. Disengage and re-engage the barrier net coupling.
          
   2. Each crew member shall participate in at least one drill that demonstrates the ability to effectively carry out flight attendant duties and responsibilities in an in-flight Class B cargo fire. Each drill shall include the following procedures:
       
      1. Recognize that there is a potential fire situation (i.e. smoke detector signal, unusual fumes, call from flight deck);
      2. Apply communication and coordination procedures with flight deck and cabin crew;
      3. Inform, assist and control passengers;
      4. Monitor cargo fire/monitor for re-ignition; and
      5. Apply post-fire follow-up procedures.
          
3. Evaluation Criteria
    
   1. Crew member performance will be observed and debriefed according to:
       
      1. Recognition or identification of the problem;
      2. Effective communication/coordination procedures throughout the drill (i.e. notify cabin crew members of the situation, establish and maintain communication with the flight deck, provide clear, concise information to the pilot-in-command, inform and assist passengers, etc.);
      3. Responds in a timely manner;
      4. Correct usage of fire fighting equipment and procedures consistent with the type of fire protection system in place;
      5. Undertake further action as required; and
         
         (Safety) consequences of error.

7.6.8 Live Fire Fighting

1. Once every third annual training year, each crew member shall demonstrate the effectiveness of a fire extinguisher correctly applied to extinguish an actual fire while wearing P.B.E.