EXPLORING PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS OF FIRE RISKS IN RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL AREAS NEAR FUEL STATIONS IN GHANA
Main Article Content
Daitey William
Owusu Panin Kwame Baah
The hazardous fire conditions at fuel stations threaten both residential and commercial sectors of Ghana. This study evaluated community perceptions regarding fire risks in gas stations and it measured both preparedness and fire safety educational levels. The researchers employed triangulated data collection tools using unstructured interviews, focus group discussions and observations which collected data from citizens, business owner and gasoline station employees. Study findings showed general public awareness about fire hazards but inadequate people had preparedness measures alongside weak adherence to rules throughout the community. The insufficient planning of many fuel stations close to residential areas created additional fire hazards due to inadequate town development practices. The report supports updated zoning rules that need better law enforcement combined with enhanced fire safety education and fire risk reduction activities involving local communities. The improvement of fire emergency readiness requires the establishment of fire hydrants together with standardized safety drills and increased enforcement of fire safety legislation. The planned steps will establish safer workplace environments in Ghana together with reduced gas station safety hazards.
Agyekum, B., Danso, E., & Frimpong, K. (2020). The impact of fire incidents on small businesses near fuel stations in Accra. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 32, 102345.
Agyemang, K., Osei, J., & Boateng, R. (2022). Fire risk awareness and community preparedness in urban Ghana. Journal of Risk Management, 15(2), 112-130.
Aidoo, K., & Appiah, M. (2022). Fire risk management in urban settlements: Assessing the role of local authorities in Ghana. Journal of Urban Safety Studies, 15(2), 78-94.
Amoako, C., & Frimpong, P. (2019). Urban planning and fire safety: Examining the challenges in Accra’s fuel station siting policies. Ghana Journal of Urban Studies, 10(1), 45-67.
Amoako, G., Asare, P., & Nyarko, J. (2020). Public perception of fire hazards near fuel stations: A case study in Ghana. Ghana Journal of Safety Research, 8(1), 45-62.
Angrosino, M. (2016). Doing ethnographic and observational research. SAGE.
Asante, R., & Kusi, A. (2021). Urban planning and fire risk management: The case of fuel stations in Ghanaian cities. Journal of Planning and Development, 14(2), 89-107.
Boakye, D., Asante, R., & Mensah, T. (2020). Regulatory challenges in Ghana’s fuel station industry: A policy analysis. Environmental Policy Review, 8(3), 78-94.
Boakye, T., Owusu, F., & Amponsah, G. (2021). Challenges in enforcing fire safety regulations in commercial areas near fuel stations. Ghanaian Journal of Public Safety, 7(1), 67-82.
Boateng, K., Adu, S., Antwi, P., & Osei, Y. (2022). Regulatory compliance and fire safety measures at fuel stations: An empirical assessment from Kumasi, Ghana. Journal of Fire Safety and Risk Management, 9(4), 112-130.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101.
Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE.
Etikan, I., Musa, S. A., & Alkassim, R. S. (2016). Comparison of convenience sampling and purposive sampling. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics, 5(1), 1-4.
Graphic Online. (2024, June 13). Bono gas station fire incident destroys storey building, 3 vehicles. Graphic Online. https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/bono-gas-station-fire-incident-destroys-storey-building-3-vehicles.html
Guest, G., Namey, E. E., & McKenna, K. (2020). How many interviews are enough? An experiment with data saturation and variability. Field Methods, 32(1), 59-82.
Gyasi, K., & Aboagye, M. (2020). Fire risk perception and preparedness among fuel station attendants in Ghana: Implications for policy and training. Safety Science, 45(3), 123-139.
Kasperson, R. E., Webler, T., Ram, B., & Sutton, J. (2022). The social amplification of risk framework: New perspectives. Risk Analysis, 42(7), 1367-1380.
Krueger, R. A., & Casey, M. A. (2015). Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research (5th ed.). SAGE.
Kvale, S., & Brinkmann, S. (2015). Interviews: Learning the craft of qualitative research interviewing (3rd ed.). SAGE.
Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. SAGE.
Mensah, A., Kwame, P., & Adu, S. (2021). Fuel station safety and fire prevention in Ghana: An empirical assessment. Safety Science Review, 9(1), 23-39.
Mensah, E., & Agyeman, D. (2019). The socio-economic impact of fuel station fires in Ghana: A case study of Accra and Kumasi. Journal of African Studies on Risk Management, 6(2), 145-162.
Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2016). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (4th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
National Fire Protection Association. (2019). Fire safety standards for fuel stations: Guidelines for risk reduction and emergency response. NFPA Publications.
Nyarko, B. (2018). The June 3 disaster: An analysis of fire risk preparedness in Accra. Ghana Disaster Management Journal, 5(2), 67-84.
Orb, A., Eisenhauer, L., & Wynaden, D. (2001). Ethics in qualitative research. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 33(1), 93-96.
Owusu, D. (2019). Assessing fire safety awareness among residents in high-risk areas: A study of Accra, Ghana. African Journal of Safety Studies, 10(1), 98-113.
Owusu, E., Anokye, P., & Tetteh, M. (2020). Public compliance with fire safety regulations in Ghana: A case study of high-risk areas. African Journal of Public Safety, 7(4), 145-162.
Owusu, K., & Darkwah, N. (2021). Zoning laws and fire risks: An evaluation of urban fuel station locations in Ghana. Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 12(4), 154-178.
Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (4th ed.). SAGE.
Yin, R. K. (2014). Case study research: Design and methods (5th ed.). SAGE.
Daitey William, AsanSka University College of Design and Technology, Ghana
Department of Product Design and Entrepreneurship, AsanSka University College of Design and Technology, Ghana
Owusu Panin Kwame Baah, AsanSka University College of Design and Technology, Ghana
Department of Jewellery Design, AsanSka University College of Design and Technology, Ghana
