FIRE SAFETY KNOWLEDGE

The proliferation of gas stations, often situated in close proximity to residential and commercial areas, presents a significant public safety hazard, with the potential for catastrophic fires and explosions threatening lives, property, and economic stability. This study, titled “Assessment of Fire Safety Knowledge and Emergency Preparedness among Gas Stations in Egor Local Government Area,” was undertaken to critically evaluate the level of fire safety awareness, the adequacy of firefighting infrastructure, and the robustness of emergency response plans within these high-risk establishments. The research specifically investigated gas station attendants' and managers' knowledge of fire prevention measures, the causes and classes of fire, the availability and functionality of fire safety equipment, and the readiness to execute emergency evacuation procedures. The study was guided by clearly defined research questions that explored the relationship between staff competency, resource availability, and overall emergency preparedness. A comprehensive review of relevant literature was conducted to establish a theoretical foundation, drawing upon established safety models and situating the study within both national and international discourses on industrial safety and disaster risk reduction. A Descriptive survey research design was adopted to collect data from a representative sample of gas stations across Egor Local Government Area. The study population comprised all 35 registered gas stations in the locality, from which a sample size of 35 stations was selected using a stratified random sampling technique to ensure geographical and operational diversity. Within each selected station, a census sampling of all available attendants and managers was conducted, resulting in 20 respondents. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire titled “Gas Station Fire Safety and Preparedness Assessment Questionnaire (GSFSPAQ),” which was validated by safety experts and confirmed to be reliable with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.711. Direct observational checklists were also used to assess the physical state of fire safety equipment and signage. Analysis involved both descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means) and inferential statistics (Chi-square) to examine the relationships between variables. Findings revealed a moderate level of theoretical knowledge about fire causes but significant practical deficiencies in the use of fire extinguishers and emergency protocols. While most stations possessed basic firefighting equipment like extinguishers, a considerable proportion were either expired, poorly maintained, or inaccessible. Furthermore, emergency preparedness was found to be generally inadequate, with a lack of regularly practiced and clearly communicated evacuation plans. Based on these findings, the study strongly recommends the mandatory, periodic training and certification of all gas station personnel, enforced routine inspection and maintenance of safety equipment by regulatory bodies, and the development and simulation of site-specific emergency response plans to enhance overall community resilience against fire disasters.