What should be done immediately if a fire alarm sounds?

When a fire alarm sounds, the immediate and primary action is to follow the evacuation procedures. This protocol is designed to ensure the safety of all individuals onboard by guiding them to safe areas away from the potential danger presented by the fire. Evacuation procedures outline specific exits, safe zones, and gathering points to account for all personnel, which is critical in emergencies.

Following these procedures also helps to prevent confusion and panic, ensuring that evacuations are conducted systematically and efficiently. Rather than investigating the source of the alarm, which could put individuals at risk, or silencing the alarm that is intended to alert everyone to the danger, following the established evacuation protocols contributes to maintaining safety and order during such emergencies.

Contacting the fire safety officer, while important at some stage of incident response, should happen after ensuring that all personnel have evacuated and are accounted for, as it doesn't take precedence over immediate evacuation. Hence, adhering to the established evacuation procedures is the most appropriate and essential response immediately upon an alarm activation.