Evaluation of Employees' Fire Safety Awareness: A University Example

Fire safety awareness among individuals directly impacts not only personal and institutional security but also societal safety. Fires are among the severe hazards that can cause significant loss of life and property in workplaces. Fire safety is one of the fundamental security measures that must be implemented in workplaces. From an occupational health and safety perspective, reducing fire risks and increasing employee awareness are of paramount importance. Fire safety awareness is a critical factor in preventing workplace accidents and directly influences the effectiveness of safety measures implemented in workplaces.Employees' fire safety awareness varies depending on their individual knowledge levels, education, workplace safety culture, and managerial attitudes. The presence of fire safety awareness among employees contributes to eliminating fire risks and positively impacts fire response efforts. However, in workplaces where fire safety awareness is lacking, even minor fires can result in significant casualties and property damage. This study aims to assess the fire safety awareness levels of employees at a higher education institution in Turkey, analyze the effectiveness of existing training programs and preventive measures, and identify necessary precautions to enhance workplace safety.A survey form, consisting of demographic questions and a fire awareness scale prepared via Google Forms, was distributed to university employees through a random sampling method. Out of 400 distributed surveys, 201 were returned (50%). However, incomplete and incorrectly filled forms were excluded, leaving 164 surveys for evaluation. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 24 statistical package program.Within the scope of the research, employees' fire safety awareness levels were assessed by examining their knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors related to fire prevention and response processes. Additionally, employees' perceptions of workplace fire safety measures, their reactions in potential fire situations, and the effectiveness of implemented precautions were evaluated.The results indicate that employees generally have a basic awareness of fire safety; however, there are deficiencies in their knowledge regarding emergency procedures. To enhance fire safety awareness, this study recommends increasing the frequency of internal training programs and conducting regular fire drills within the institution.