Chapter 1 Draft- Fire Safety Awareness Study PDF

1 CHAPTER 1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND This chapter includes the introduction, theoretical framework, research paradigm, study assumption, problem statement, the study's significance, scope, and limitation, and the defin...

1 CHAPTER 1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND This chapter includes the introduction, theoretical framework, research paradigm, study assumption, problem statement, the study's significance, scope, and limitation, and the definition of terms used. INTRODUCTION In Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City, recurrent fire incidents pose significant risks to community safety, particularly in densely populated areas where the proximity of structures can exacerbate the spread of flames. The frequency of these incidents has raised alarming concerns among residents and local authorities alike, as evidenced by significant fires that occurred on February 12, 2023, and April 29, 2024. These recent events not only resulted in extensive property damage but also led to loss of life and displacement of families, thereby underscoring the urgent need for effective fire safety awareness and comprehensive prevention measures (DROMIC Administrator, 2024). Despite the local government's proactive stance, which includes the establishment of fire safety regulations and community outreach programs, a troubling gap remains in the level of awareness among residents regarding fire safety issues. Many community members are still unaware of the common causes of fires—such as electrical malfunctions, cooking accidents, and improper disposal of flammable materials—as well as the resources available for prevention and emergency response. This lack of knowledge can be detrimental, particularly in a community where quick  2 action is often necessary to mitigate the impact of such disasters. In terms of emergency response, for instance, it is argued that there should be a key government level that possesses relevant equipment and adequate management capacity while still being close to the ground (Haddow & Bullock, 2006, pp. 78-79 as cited in Col, 2007) This study aims to evaluate the current level of fire safety awareness among residents of Barangay Addition Hills, focusing on their understanding of fire risks and the effectiveness of existing government initiatives. Additionally, it seeks to identify gaps existing in government response that may hinder fire safety awareness and preparedness among citizens. By gathering insights and recommendations directly from the community, this study endeavors to propose actionable strategies to enhance fire safety practices and improve overall preparedness. Ultimately, this study aspires to contribute to a safer living environment in Barangay Addition Hills by fostering a culture of awareness and proactive engagement in fire safety. By addressing the population's specific vulnerabilities and experiences related to fire incidents, this study aims to create a comprehensive framework for improving fire safety and preparedness in the community. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK These fire incidents in Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City brought to light a serious concern over the fire safety and preparedness of the community. These events exposed the urgent need for heightened awareness programs as well as  3 improving the safety measures that can prevent residents from fire hazards. This study aims to look into the said incidents, assess the level of awareness of the residents, and analyze the government's response to the emergency fire situation. Better in its development of the understanding about variables responsible for fire safety behavior and preparedness, the research on the present paper will also analyze traditional and contemporary theoretical frameworks. Integration of theoretical viewpoints in this exploration gives it a more detailed understanding in the way fire safety behavior is developed and how this behavior can be improved upon through intervening efforts. The classical framework of Behaviorism is a good model that provides insight into how external reinforcement and conditioning affect the development of fire safety behaviors. Skinner's (1953) theory of behaviorism operant conditioning theory posits that behaviors are acquired and strengthened by the use of rewards or penalties. In the area of fire safety, individuals will be more likely to take protective actions, such as evacuating during fire drills or maintaining fire safety equipment, when such behaviors are reinforced with positive reinforcement. For example, it can be rewarded by local government officials by giving commendations to individuals who frequently execute community fire drills. Then, these behaviors become habits for people since the reinforcement brought about by frequent drills or incentives will contribute to the preparation culture of a community. Similarly, Ivan Pavlov's (1927) theory of classical conditioning becomes applicable in the way fire safety behaviors are learned among individuals. The repeated exposure to cues associated with fires, whether the alarm noise or the visual perception of emergency exits, becomes associated with protecting behaviors. This may include  4 evacuation from the location or other safe procedures. Soon, after fire drills have been held many times, they will automatically respond by evacuation if an alarm sounds even when there is no real emergency. This learned automatic response, due to associative learning, means that the human individual is most likely to react correctly at the actual moment of the fire. Through this mechanism, safety measures concerning fire get habituated to individuals' behaviors, thereby raising the chance of such measures taking place at the hour of necessity. The behaviorist paradigm insists on the role of external reinforcement, but modern theories, such as PMT, give a closer look at the cognitive and emotive factors that lead the individual to adopt protective behaviors with respect to perceived threats such as fires. According to Rogers (1975), four cognitive factors determine how people motivate themselves to get protection from a threat, which are perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, response efficacy, and self-efficacy. These factors determine how people assess the risk brought by a fire and whether they think their actions may mitigate that risk. For instance, perceived severity of a fire is how seriously one thinks a fire could affect him or her. A person living in an area prone to fires might think that the threat is more serious than someone who lives in a less fire-prone area. Similarly, perceived susceptibility is the subjective belief about the vulnerability of the person to the occurrence of fire. A person who experienced a fire firsthand or knows anyone who had an experience of a fire is likely to feel more vulnerable and will therefore be more likely to take precautions. Response efficacy deals with an individual's perception about the effectiveness of fire safety measures that are available at his or her disposal. Such  5 measures include fire alarms or fire drills. If residents believe that those actions reduce the chances of an injury in case of a fire, then their intention to regularly conduct those behaviors rises. Self-efficacy is further described as having the belief that one would be able to perform the proper acts when the problem was encountered. People who believe they will react appropriately to the fire, either by means of using the fire extinguisher or evacuating safely, tend to take precautions and act in emergency situations (McNeill, Fothergill, & Masucci, 2017). PMT is particularly applicable when assessing fire safety behaviors because it relates to how perceptions of risk and personal confidence impact preparation. Variables such as age, gender, educational background, and personal experiences with fire incidence can influence an individual's perception of fire hazard and his or her likelihood to act. For instance, an old person, due to increased exposure and awareness about fire safety measures may be more proactive in following measures compared to their younger counterpart, who would have a higher response to electronic programs or internet sources for information. It is from this understanding of differences that makes public health programs geared towards particular populations raise awareness and readiness about fire safety. (McNeill, Fothergill, & Masucci, 2017). This fusion of the ancient behaviorist paradigm with contemporary Protection Motivation Theory provides a more holistic vision for fire safety. Behaviors regarding fire safety are fashioned by external reinforcements, behaviorism argues, such as an incentive or routine drills whereas PMT describes the underlying cognitive mechanisms that shape or influence the decisions of subjects to engage in protective action.  6 Collectively, these add greater understanding to fire safety behaviors by including learned behaviors originating from external influences and intrinsically motivating behavior related to a person's perception of risk and their self-efficacy. In the nutshell, combining Behaviorism with Protection Motivation Theory helps better understand psychological and behavioral factors that impact fire safety on a more sophisticated level. The integrated methodology proposed here tries to identify the most effective interventions in enhancing fire safety preparedness in communities. The present study attempts to address both cognitive determinants that impact how individuals perceive fire hazards as well as external reinforcement mechanisms that can facilitate protective behavior. It will thus be able to provide a stronger foundation for enhancing fire safety and reducing the risk of fire injury in communities like Brgy. Addition Hills. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK This study will utilize a Mixed method approach for both qualitative and quantitative research. Qualitative research allows for a detailed exploration of the experiences, perceptions, and awareness level of residents of Addition Hills. It provides a deeper understanding of the underlying factors and allows for the generation of rich and contextualized data. Quantitative data will be gathered through data and surveys the study will use Explanatory Sequential Method which Quantitative to Qualitative and we are now identifying those affected by fire incidents which will enable the examination of specific individuals and provide a comprehensive understanding of the Gaps of the Government response.Quantitative reseach to know the level of awareness and to understand the awareness level which led to the frequent fire incidents and The researchers will conduct semi-structured interviews with the residents who have  7 experienced the impact. The researchers will employ purposive sampling to select participants who have direct experience. The sample will comprise individuals who are residents of Addition Hills and city government officials, including barangay officials and local authorities. The researchers will apply thematic analysis to the collected data. Thematic analysis involves identifying patterns, themes, and categories within the data. The analysis will involve coding the data, organizing it into meaningful categories, and identifying recurring themes. This process will allow for the identification of the gaps of city government response and relief efforts and factors contributing to these impacts. By adopting a mixed method approach, ASSUMPTIONS OF THE STUDY This study assumes a number of assumptions. It supposes that the residents of Barangay Addition Hills have varying levels of fire safety consciousness affected by external factors like fire drills and rewards and also by internal factors, such as risk perception and self-efficacy. Mixed methods will be used so that an in-depth understanding of fire safety behaviors can be expected, the quantitative surveys that will  8 analyze awareness, and the qualitative interviews to look at more profound information. While these theories of behavior, being included Operant and Classical conditioning, explain how fire-safety behaviors are learnt, and more importantly the Protection Motivation theory focuses on the cognitive/emotive aspects. It is postulated that the reccur-rence of fire-incidents is due to gaps in governmental response, by insights from participants. Overall, the data obtained through questionnaires and interviews is valid and the strategies related to both extrinsic rewards and intrinsic motivation will certainly have their expected effect on the preparedness of fire safety in that community. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM This study aims to assess the fire safety awareness and preparedness of residents in Brgy. Addition Hills. By analyzing demographics, awareness levels, and the effectiveness of local government initiatives, the study seeks to identify significant factors influencing fire safety awareness and gather recommendations for improving community fire safety measures. 1.​ What are the demographics of Addition Hills residents? a.​ Age of respondents b.​ Sex c.​ Years of residency 2.​ What is the level of awareness among residents regarding fire incidents, programs, and prevention strategies? 3.​ Is there a significant relationship between gender (Male vs. Female) and years of residency in terms of fire safety awareness?  9 4.​ How effective are the local government’s fire safety initiatives in addressing the concerns of Addition Hills residents? 5.​ What level of awareness do residents have regarding fire safety issues and risks? 6.​ What specific recommendations do residents have for improving fire safety measures in their community? SCOPE AND LIMITATION The population of Metro Manila, which consists of twelve million people dispersed over multiple densely populated cities, is increasing at a rate of 1.21% annually. The impoverished communities in the metro have been facing a significant danger of flames and an annual population increase. Two fires that occurred four years apart in 2016 and 2020 decimated Barangay Addition Hills, one such area in Mandaluyong City (Asiddao, M. D., & Bongolan, V. P., 2021). This study's main goal is to assess the level of fire safety awareness among the people living in Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City. It will look at how well they understand fire hazards, how well local government programs function, and what gaps in support and communication might make it more challenging to implement fire safety measures. This study will acknowledge the broader implications of fire safety while concentrating on the local level to offer tailored suggestions. Additionally, rather than concentrating on the technical components of fire prevention and suppression systems, the study will concentrate on the human element of fire safety, such as awareness, behavior, and community involvement.  10 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY The theoretical relevance of this study lies in its potential contributions to a deeper understanding of how local government efforts influence fire safety awareness and public preparedness. By analyzing the demographics and awareness levels of Brgy. Addition Hills residents, the research aims to uncover critical factors that influence how individuals engage with fire prevention programs, fire safety education, and emergency response efforts. The findings from this study are expected to guide local policymakers, disaster management agencies, and government officials in refining their strategies for fire safety, ensuring that interventions are more targeted and effective in reaching the community. The study is further enhanced by applying Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), which offers a theoretical framework for understanding the cognitive and emotional factors that drive individuals' responses to fire risks. Through the mixed-method approach, this research will assess how residents’ perceptions of fire hazards, their awareness of prevention strategies, and their confidence in government programs influence their preparedness actions. This theoretical lens will provide insights into the effectiveness of government interventions, particularly in relation to their perceived severity, susceptibility, and self-efficacy among residents. The study identifies several specific beneficiaries: Public Officials​ ​ The findings will serve as a resource for local government officials by providing evidence-based recommendations to enhance fire prevention and emergency response strategies, thereby improving overall community safety.  11 Filipino Communities​ ​ Residents of Brgy. Addition Hills, as well as communities across the Philippines, stand to benefit from increased fire safety awareness, better preparedness strategies, and strengthened trust in government efforts to protect public welfare. Disaster Response Agencies​ ​ This study will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of current fire safety and response measures. These findings can guide disaster response agencies in refining protocols, improving coordination, and optimizing resource allocation for better outcomes. Future Researchers​ ​ The study serves as foundational research for future studies on fire safety, disaster management, and the role of government in enabling community resilience. It opens avenues for investigating the effectiveness of local governance in other areas of public safety and emergency management. In summary, this research contributes not only to the practical goal of making communities safer through actionable fire safety recommendations but also to the deeper understanding of the relationship between government actions and public trust. DEFINITION OF TERMS The following terms are operationally and conceptually defined to understand the study clearly:  12 Fire Suppression System. Fire suppression systems to extinguish, control, and prevent fires from spreading. This type of system is an integral part of any fire protection infrastructure. The term also encompasses any engineering group of units specifically designed to extinguish a fire. Applying an extinguishing substance like water, foam, or chemical compounds can achieve this. Because the system triggers in response to the presence of fire, it can be considered an 'active' fire protection method. Casualty. When someone sustains injuries or loses their life in a fire incident, Usually, the researchers use this term to refer to multiple deaths and injuries. Sometimes, people misunderstand it to mean "fatalities," but non-fatal injuries are also considered casualties. Resource Allocation. This strategy involves the selection and assignment of available resources to a specific project. In the context of fire incidents, the government should know how and who to assign resources to respond in any emergency. This is done to efficiently distribute and utilize the available resources to provide assistance to fire victims. Response Time. The emergency communications center receives a call when the first apparatus arrives at the scene during a fire incident. When the public becomes aware of an emergency incident and notifies the fire department, the clock for response time begins 13