Which safety feature is commonly integrated with SCBA to help locate a firefighter in distress?

• A. PASS device.
• B. Low battery LED.
• C. Thermal imaging.
• D. Smoke detector.

Answer: (A)

A safety signaling system built into the SCBA is designed to help others locate a firefighter who may be in distress. This is the Personal Alert Safety System, which automatically emits a loud alarm (and sometimes a strobe) if the wearer stops moving for a set period or can be manually activated. The audible alert travels through smoke and debris and stays with the firefighter, making it easier for teammates to pinpoint the location for a rapid rescue. Other options aren’t integrated with the SCBA for locating a distressed wearer: a low battery LED just shows power status; a thermal imaging camera is a separate tool used to see heat sources, not to signal the wearer’s location; and a smoke detector is for detecting smoke in a space, not for locating individuals.