An Examination of Fire Safety and Awareness in Schools

Abstract

Fire safety, risk management, and disaster preparedness are fundamental elements in educational institutions. This study aims to evaluate the fire safety awareness level of school personnel working in the Beşikdüzü and Şalpazarı districts of Trabzon, where data was collected from 218 teachers and administrative staff using the standardized Fire Awareness Scale. The quantitative survey study revealed that while participants demonstrated high overall awareness (mean=4.04/5) with particularly strong performance in theoretical dimensions such as risk awareness and the importance of training, significant practical deficiencies were identified in the confidence dimension, which recorded the lowest scores. Statistical analyses using Independent Samples T-Test and ANOVA showed that gender, education level, and professional role created significant differences in awareness levels, whereas age did not show significant impact. The research also highlighted infrastructure-related concerns regarding equipment maintenance and escape route markings in some schools. These findings emphasize the necessity of moving beyond theoretical training to implement regular, practical drills and scenario-based exercises to enhance response confidence. The study provides evidence-based recommendations for policymakers and school administrators to develop targeted training programs and strengthen institutional safety protocols, ultimately contributing to the development of a comprehensive fire safety culture in educational institutions.