Measuring fire safety and awareness

Fire is a natural disaster caused by combustion reactions resulting from the combination of matter with heat and oxygen. Fires not only cause material damages in the geographical area where they occur, but also have a great negative impact on the living creatures and ecological balance. Fires can also cause loss of life and environmental damage. Fire safety is a set of measures to reduce the likelihood of a fire causing death, injury or material damage. These measures also aim to ensure that living things can easily move away from the fire scene and survive the incident with as little damage as possible. Fire safety includes the following basic elements: - Risk Identification: Recognising potential fire hazards in our environment. - Training: Know fire safety practices and emergency procedures. - Rapid Response: Knowing how to act in case of fire, following evacuation routes and using fire fighting equipment correctly. - Community Co-operation: To spread fire safety awareness in the community. Fire safety measures can be addressed in the design, construction, use, maintenance and operation of existing structures starting from the construction process. Applications such as fire doors, fire escapes, fire extinguishing systems and warning systems are used to ensure fire safety. The first aim of this study is to evaluate the level of fire safety and awareness among Sakarya University students. Firstly, after analysing the literature, a research model was created by determining the most commonly used factors in the studies on international studies on fire safety and awareness. In the context of the research, a total of 594 questionnaires were found suitable for the research. Descriptive statistical analyses, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were used on the data obtained. When the results given to the question about the level of fire knowledge and awareness that we asked to the participants from descriptive statistics were analysed, it was concluded that most of the participants were aware of the fire safety measures being implemented, most of which had a medium level of fire knowledge. The fact that most of the participants are between the ages of 16 and 23 and that a very young group of participants was surveyed shows that this age group can be made more aware through training and information programmes, since they have a medium level of fire knowledge and awareness. This situation points to the potential to increase the importance and effectiveness of fire safety trainings among young people. Recently, the increasing frequency of fire awareness trainings and drills, especially in universities, contributes to the development of fire awareness among young people. The regular continuation of such trainings and drills creates a strong expectation that fire awareness among the young population will further consolidate and increase. 63.5% of the participants stated that they received theoretical fire training. The majority of undergraduate students emphasise the importance of raising fire safety awareness at university level. The inclusion of practical applications and drills in training programmes will enable students to experience how to act in case of fire and internalise these skills. Such trainings will allow students to become better equipped in fire safety and be able to intervene effectively in emergencies. The survey results reveal that the majority of the participants (77.5%) have not received training on the use of fire extinguishers or do not have sufficient knowledge on this subject. These data show that fire safety trainings are mainly based on theoretical knowledge and practical applications are ignored. The dissemination of practical trainings where the use of critical equipment such as fire extinguishers is taught will provide more effective results in terms of fire awareness and safety. Trainings supported by realistic scenarios and drills will enable individuals to develop the right response skills in emergencies and gain a more comprehensive understanding of fire safety. Therefore, it is important to re-evaluate the content of fire safety training programmes and increase the integration of practical applications. Designing trainings in this way will enable participants to learn by experience how to intervene quickly and effectively in case of fire and to internalise these skills. According to the results of the survey, 48% of the participants stated that they have a predetermined escape plan to be used in case of a possible fire, which shows that a significant part of the social awareness and preparation on fire safety is missing. This situation emphasises that fire safety trainings should not be limited to theoretical knowledge, but should also include practical applications and simulation-based drills. An effective fire evacuation plan should be designed to enable individuals and organisations to act quickly and in a coordinated manner in case of fire. In this context, the development of fire safety protocols, regular drills and the active role of individuals in these processes are critical to minimise the loss of life and property in case of fire. Structural equation modelling using SmartPLS software examined the effect of fire knowledge and fire safety awareness level on fire hazard outcomes. The first hypothesis (H1) suggests that fire knowledge has a positive and significant relationship with fire hazard and its consequences. This suggests that individuals having more knowledge about fire can enable them to make more effective decisions in fire hazard situations and reduce potential damages. The second hypothesis (H2) states that fire safety awareness level has a positive and significant relationship with fire hazard outcomes. This implies that individuals' higher awareness of fire safety can help them intervene more quickly and effectively during a fire, thereby reducing fire-related risks and damages. The confirmation of these two hypotheses highlights the importance of fire safety education programmes and information campaigns. Increasing fire knowledge and awareness can enable the community to be better prepared for fire hazards and to respond more effectively in emergencies. Therefore, fire safety training programmes that cover both theoretical knowledge and practical applications are a fundamental step to strengthen social capacity in fire fighting. In conclusion, fire safety trainings aim to create a more prepared and aware society against fire hazards by combining knowledge and practical applications. These trainings are a fundamental step to improve the overall safety and firefighting capacity of the community.