For how long should all on-scene apparatus sound air horns after notice of emergency evacuation?

The protocol for sounding air horns during an emergency evacuation is established to ensure that all personnel and bystanders are alerted to the situation, allowing for a coordinated and efficient evacuation process. The recommended duration for which all on-scene apparatus should sound air horns is 10 seconds. This duration strikes a balance between being long enough to ensure the sound is heard clearly amidst noise and distractions and short enough to avoid panic or confusion in a chaotic environment.

By adhering to this 10-second guideline, it reinforces the urgency of the situation while facilitating an orderly response. The choice of 10 seconds reflects best practices for emergency communication in many fire departments, which prioritize clear and effective signaling. This method allows firefighters to focus on executing the evacuation without being distracted by prolonged signaling, which might lead to misunderstanding of the situation.