How should cabin crew coordinate with the flight deck during a fire?

• A. Do not communicate to avoid confusion.
• B. Take independent action and decide to evacuate without PIC input.
• C. Maintain continuous communication, report location and status, and follow PIC's decision on containment or evacuation.
• D. Close all vents and wait for instructions.

Answer: (C)

Maintaining continuous communication with the flight deck, reporting location and status, and following the PIC's decision on containment or evacuation is essential. In a cabin fire, the flight deck must oversee the overall safety strategy, including whether to contain the fire, isolate affected areas, manage ventilation, and decide if an evacuation is necessary. Cabin crew reports provide critical, real-time local evidence—where the fire is, how it’s spreading, how passengers are affected, and what resources are available—so the PIC can make informed, coordinated decisions for the aircraft and everyone on board.

This approach preserves clear authority and unity of action. Independent, uncoordinated steps or delaying communication can create conflicting actions, hinder the flight deck’s situational assessment, and increase risk to passengers and crew. By staying in contact, you enable a swift, coordinated response that aligns containment efforts with evacuation plans if and when they’re warranted.