What is the immediate response to a loss of firemain?

When there is a loss of firemain, the immediate response involves securing hot work and smoking. This is crucial because the firemain system provides water for firefighting. If there is a loss of this important resource, any ongoing hot work—such as welding or cutting that generates sparks and heat—becomes particularly dangerous. Additionally, smoking can introduce an ignition source in the absence of effective firefighting capability. Therefore, by securing hot work and prohibiting smoking, you minimize the risk of fire under circumstances where firefighting resources are compromised.

Furthermore, while notifying the command center is an important step, it is not the first action taken during such a critical situation. Once hot work and smoking are secured, then notifying the command center would follow to ensure that proper measures and resources are mobilized for addressing the loss of firemain. Waiting for a repair team or disconnecting all fire hoses does not address the immediate risk of fire that could result from the enhanced fire hazards during this critical period.