What should be the first action taken when a fire is discovered?

When a fire is discovered, the first action that should be taken is to activate the nearest fire alarm. This step is crucial because it not only alerts the building's occupants to evacuate safely, but it also informs emergency services of the fire situation promptly. The activation of the fire alarm system initiates an automated response, including the loud alarm sound to instruct everyone to leave the area and potentially activating monitoring systems that communicate with fire departments.

While evacuating the building or attempting to extinguish the fire might seem like immediate responses, they should follow after ensuring that the alarm has been activated. Doing so ensures that everyone has the opportunity to escape the danger while emergency services are notified, significantly increasing safety and minimizing potential harm.