Community/Public Health Nurses' Awareness of Residential High-Rise Fire Safety issues

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Community Health Nursing
• Fire Safety Research

Background:

• High-rise (HR) building fires represent a significant public health threat, causing preventable injuries and deaths.
• Fire safety is a critical component of household emergency preparedness, often addressed by community/public health nurses (C/PHNs).
• A knowledge gap exists regarding C/PHNs' specific awareness of fire safety challenges in HR residential settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate community/public health nurses' awareness of fire safety issues pertinent to residents of high-rise buildings.
• To identify perceived barriers that hinder effective fire safety measures for occupants in high-rise residential environments.
• To explore suggested strategies from C/PHNs for improving fire safety in high-rise buildings.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive qualitative study design was employed.
• Data were collected through key-informant and focus group interviews with 19 C/PHNs in Honolulu, Hawaii.
• Qualitative data analysis was used to identify emergent themes.

Main Results:

• Three primary themes emerged: C/PHN awareness of HR fire safety issues, perceived barriers to occupant fire safety, and suggested strategies for improvement.
• Findings indicated a need for enhanced C/PHN preparedness in addressing fire safety for HR building residents.
• Specific barriers and actionable strategies were identified by the participating C/PHNs.

Conclusions:

• Community/public health nurses require further education and resources to effectively address fire safety in high-rise buildings.
• Addressing identified barriers is crucial for enhancing the fire safety of individuals and families residing in high-rise environments.
• Strengthening C/PHN capacity is essential for mitigating the risks associated with high-rise building fires.