Impact of Training & Education on Fire Prevention & Safety

Awareness in Bangladesh
Research Proposal By
Fahad Hossain (Roll: 83)
8th Batch
Undergraduate Students
Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies (IDMVS)
University of Dhaka
Dhaka-1000, Dhaka

Background
Fire hazard incident is one of the contemporary issues in Bangladesh especially at densely
populated Dhaka city. Every year many people dies due to fire accidents. They lost their lives,
wealth, assets and properties and suffer from agony of burn injury year after year. Since 1997,
there have been more than three times as many fire occurrences in Bangladesh; on average, 53 fire
incidents occur each day in 2018. Statistics from the Fire Service and Civil Defense revealed that
between January 1, 1997, and December 31, 2018, there were almost 2,50,000 fire occurrences
nationwide. Additionally, the nation suffered an estimated financial loss of almost Tk 6,400 crore
as a result of these fire occurrences. Approximately 2,00,000 fire incidents occurred across the
nation between 2004 and 2018, and according to the fire service's records, at least 1,970 of those
incidents resulted in fatalities. Urban planners ascribe the sudden increase in fire accidents to
unplanned urbanization, violations of building code requirements, human negligence, increased
usage of gas cylinders and equipment, lack of proper urban fire safety systems and a lack of
oversight by relevant authorities. Electric short circuit, leaked electric wire, different types of
burners and burning cigarettes, fragile building material, chemical reaction, unplanned building
layout, negligence, unawareness are some reasons of fire incident in Bangladesh. As Bangladesh's
metropolitan areas grow without essential infrastructure like fire stations, the frequency of fire
occurrences has increased four-fold over the past 20 years. Between January 1, 1999, and
December 31, 2020, there were almost 285,000 fires reported in the nation, according to
information from the Fire Service and Civil Defense. Additionally, the nation suffered an estimated
financial loss of almost Tk6,900 crore as a result of these fire occurrences. In addition, according

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to data from the fire department, at least 2,308 persons were died in fires across the nation between
2004 and 2020. With 24,074 fire incidences, 2019 was the year with the most, and 2020 was second
with 21,073.

Killed Injured
400 1600

350 1400

300 1200

250 1000

200 800

150 600

100 400

50 200

0 0
2006

2008
2007

2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020

2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Killed Injured

Fire Incidents
30000

25000

20000

15000

10000

5000

0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Fire Incidents

Figure: Deaths in Bangladesh Fire incidents 2006 to 2020 according to Bangladesh Fire Service
& Civil Defense (FSCD)

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According to figures from the Fire Service and Civil Defense, between January 1, 2016, and
December 31, 2020, there were approximately 99,752 fires nationwide.

Of those, 71,684 or more of the fires in the previous five years were caused by electric
disturbances, various forms of burners, and burning cigarettes.

Of the total events, 37,044 (or 37%) were caused by electric disturbances, followed by 19,124
(19.17%) by various types of burners and 15,536 (15.57%) by smoking-related incidents.

Due to the fact that few structures are erected in accordance with building codes, electric short-
circuits are the primary cause of the increase in fire accidents in metropolitan areas.

The lack of awareness of the public is linked to additional causes of the fire. In our country most
of the people don’t know the causes of fire hazard and how to evacuate themselves from the
accidents. So in this case fire safety training and education plays a crucial role to aware the people
about fire safety in our country. Learning about fire safety is the key to preventing fire from
occurring. As we are at great risk of fire accidents so it should be mandatory for us to know about
the causes of fire accidents, which are responsible for fire accidents, we should know about the
type of fire. There are five types of fire that are primarily based on the fuel that is burning. And
this classification also helps us to determine the most effective way to extinguish the fire.
Moreover, we have to know how to operate fire extinguisher, how to activate the fire alarm and
especially how to evacuate themselves within three seconds.

Analyzing potential fire dangers in one's immediate area and taking precautions to ensure minimal
damage and the safe escape of everyone exposed to fire are both examples of fire safety awareness.
The safe and effective evacuation of those trapped in a building in the event of a fire is the main
focus of the training. Proper fire safety training is essential for effective fire safety awareness. The
measures one must follow in the event of a fire are covered in a professional fire safety training
program. A person can be psychologically and physically prepared by well-planned and executed
fire safety training to maintain his composure in the face of an emergency so that he can take the
essential actions to minimize the damage. Fires can cause property damage and fatalities. One must
be always vigilant if they want to put out a fire without causing any damage. Identifying potential

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fire dangers around us and ensuring that a well-thought-out fire safety plan is in place as soon as
a fire breaks out are two crucial methods when talking about fire safety awareness.

In addition to being mandated by law, fire safety education and training is a crucial ability to
acquire for the safety of any potential building occupants as well as personnel. Fires inflict property
damage, injury or death, and can even result in employment losses because many burned-out
buildings are not rebuilt. Proper fire safety training is the only way to stop these terrible events.

Participating in fire safety training will provide a person the ability to identify risks, carry out a
fire risk assessment, take action to prevent fires, and lastly, comprehend how to react in an
emergency. These are all valuable abilities that have the ability to entirely remove fire hazards in
both homes and workplaces

The best way to stop a fire from starting is to educate yourself on the risks. The combustion triangle
is a wonderful place to start when teaching. The triangle is made up of the components that fires
require to ignite: heat, fuel, and an oxidizing agent. once the fundamentals are understood, then
the people can understand the causes of fire accidents.

Risk assessment is the next skill on the list of training. This happens immediately after identifying
fire dangers since workers and individuals are now responsible for taking action against already-
present hazards and lowering or eliminating them. Assessments typically consider the following:

Emergency exits and routes

Active and passive fire protection systems

Safe storage/removal of dangerous substances ( chemicals)

Firefighting equipment like extinguishers, fire balls, fire alarms

Evacuation plan for a building or garment

Strong communication with others about fire hazards

Staff fire safety training

How to help those who are more physically and mentally vulnerable than others

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How to respond to a fire is a big part of fire safety training, which is important for building a solid
understanding of emergency protocol so people are well-equipped to fight the fire or leave safely
and effectively. Fire training classes teach students how to handle firefighting equipment like fire
extinguishers, activate the fire alarm, and work as a team in addition to teaching them about their
particular responsibilities.

Overall, taking part in fire safety training can greatly reduce the risk of fires by increasing people's
awareness of their surroundings and their knowledge of potential fire starters. They can all
contribute by taking basic actions like:

Keeping the own place clean and safe

Smoking in selected areas

Keeping extinguisher machinery properly serviced

Being aware of the combustion triangle

Do not using poor quality electric substances

Being aware of the uses of gas stoves

Being aware of the uses of electric machinery

Study Objectives

Main Objectives:

Main objectives of this study are to explore the impacts of training and education on Fire
Prevention & Safety Awareness in Bangladesh.

Specific Objectives:

The purpose of this study is:

• To identify how training can enlighten people so that they can understand what individuals
actions and responsibilities that they are to take in the work areas as well their houses, educational
institutions etc. as when the need arises.

• To identify the causes of large number of exposures to fire hazards.

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• To recommend future policy suggestions to ensure effective fire safety awareness.

Research Questions
• What are the main causes of fire incidents?

• How training and education can reduce the risk of fire accidents and enhance fire safety.

Methods and Materials

Study Design:

This study's design will follow a methodical process to ensure reliability and validity to the greatest
extent possible. The study's goals will be taken into account and given top priority at every stage.

Review the literatures and find out the location which will be our study area

Selecting the study area

Sample Design: Random Sampling

Determining techniques to conduct the study

Tools: Questionnaire survey (Qualitative Method)

Observations (Qualitative Method)

Data collection, data analysis and data presentation

Conclusion-making and the presentation of results

Study Area Details:

We have selected some areas near the University of Dhaka and Manikdi to conduct our study.

Expected Outcomes

➢ This research will define the importance of training and education to aware people on fire
prevention and safety awareness in Bangladesh in the long run.

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➢ This study will evaluate the performance of training and education program of Bangladesh Fire
Service and Civil Defense and will also recommend some advices to do better in future.

➢ This study will attempt to provide future policy proposals to law enforcement in preventing fire
incidents.

Budget
Items Cost (BDT)

Logistics (Pen, Pencil, Eraser, Notebook) 1000.00

Internet 600.00
Printing Questionnaire Papers 200.00
Transportation 500.00
Food 500.00
Printing and binding of the report paper 200.00
Total 3000.00 (Three Thousand Taka Only)

Work Plan

Gantt Chart

Review Literatures December 7, 2022 7

Structured Questionnaire Development December 14, 2022 3

Field Data Collection December 17, 2022 5

Analyze Data December 22, 2022 3

Preparing Results and Review Results Outcomes December 25, 2022 5

Report writing and Submitting Draft Report December 30, 2022 4

Final Submission of the Report January 4, 2023 1

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Start Date Days to Complete

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 References

Creative Safety Supply. (2022). Why is fire safety education and training important?: Creative
Safety Supply. Retrieved from Creative Safety Supply:
https://www.creativesafetysupply.com/qa/fire-safety/why-is-fire-safety-education-and-
training-important
DhakaTribune. (2019, March 28). Bangladesh / Dhaka: DhakaTribune. Retrieved from
DhakaTribune: https://archive.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/2019/03/28/what-are-
the-reasons-behind-frequent-fire-incidents-in-dhaka
Joalesto. (2022). The Objective Of Fire Safety Awareness Training. Article Alley.

Kamal, Z. (2019, March 31). Country: The Daily Star. Retrieved from The Daily Star:
https://www.thedailystar.net/country/news/interactive-chart-fire-incidents-rise-
bangladesh-1722880
New York Post. (2022, June 6). News: New York Post. Retrieved from New York Post:
https://nypost.com/2022/06/06/2-day-depot-fire-kills-at-least-49-in-bangladesh/
The Independent. (2021, November 14). Bangladesh: The Independent. Retrieved from The
Independent:
https://theindependentbd.com/post/270187#:~:text=The%20number%20of%20fire%20in
cidents%20in%20Bangladesh%20has,between%20January%201%2C%201999%20and%
20December%2031%2C%202020.

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