Fire disaster preparedness in Accra Technical Universities (ATU)

Abstract

The incidence of fire outbreaks has become a common occurrence, in Ghana, there is no single day without news of a fire outbreak in some part of the country. Knowledge on fire outbreak preparedness can inform the disaster management process and lead to well-informed plans and decisions in case of fire outbreaks. Purpose: This study was conducted to assess fire disaster preparedness in Accra Technical Universities (ATU). Methodology: The study employed both qualitative and quantitative research approach. Primary data was collected through structured questionnaires and on-site observations. A total of 140 respondents including students, Lecturers and administrative staff and data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Findings: It emerged from the study that the level of Knowledge on the use of the fire extinguishers is very low, level of preparedness towards using the fire extinguishers is also low, staff and students in ATU are not prepared for fire disasters and there are no frequent periodic training and drills for staff and students on fire safety preparedness. Recommendations: The study recommends regular maintenance of firefighting equipment on all blocks and offices, provision of new and state of the art firefighting equipment in all buildings and lecture halls and regular training programs on fire safety preparedness to raise the level of preparedness and awareness of staff and students on fire disaster preparedness in technical universities.