An organizational process for promoting home fire safety in two community settings

The purpose of this study was to describe the home fire safety quality improvement model designed to aid organizations in achieving institutional program goals. The home fire safety model was developed from community-based participatory research (CBPR) applying training-the-trainer methods and is illustrated by an institutional case study. The model is applicable to other types of organizations to improve home fire safety in vulnerable populations. Utilizing the education model leaves trained employees with guided experience to build upon, adapt, and modify the home fire safety intervention to more effectively serve their clientele, promote safety, and meet organizational objectives.

Transforming fire prevention: a case study

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to examine the transformation of fire prevention processes via improved targeting of fire prevention interventions over a four-year period.

Design/methodology/approach

– A four-year case study of the transformation of fire prevention processes involving a UK fire and rescue service, local council, National Health Service primary care trust and a police force was undertaken.

Findings

– Understanding the socio-economic causal factors underlying unintentional dwelling fires, and the need to work in collaborative partnerships to achieve change in such factors can support more targeted and effective fire prevention activities.

Research limitations/implications

– Analysis of underlying causal factors and their relationships, together with population segmentation and working in coordinated collaborative partnerships, can support enhanced fire risk assessment and community safety. This supported more pro-active early intervention fire risk management.

Practical implications

– Analysis of socio-economic causal factors and socio-economic groups associated with unintentional dwelling fires can assist in targeting fire prevention activities in a more effective and efficient manner. This enabled the fire and rescue service to target fire prevention to social groups most at risk of dwelling fires and the types of fires (for example, kitchen fires) relevant to the different social groups.

Social implications

– Collaborative public sector partnerships can achieve change in the socio-economic circumstances of at-risk individuals to support fire prevention. This enables the social- and health-related factors underlying fire risk to be addressed by the relevant partner health or social services agencies.

Originality/value

– The detailed analysis of the transformation of fire prevention activities that led to an implemented approach to enhance community safety. In particular, the analysis and evaluation of the move to collaborative multi-agency partnerships to support and improve fire prevention activities.

Home fire safety beliefs and practices in homes of urban older adults

The purpose of this study is to examine factors influencing urban older adults and develop a thematic analysis of how these factors affect seniors' home fire safety (HFS) beliefs and practices. This was a focused ethnography using participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Additionally, public housing records, cognitive functioning, and general health status were assessed. Individual interviews were transcribed verbatim using a constant comparative analysis. Eight seniors participated in the study. Two main themes described older adults' HFS while aging in place: the risk associated with the living environment and the journey associated with maintaining independence. All participants experienced HFS challenges such as limited mobility and financial constraints. Participants' general health and cognitive status additionally influenced their ability to maintain HFS. The findings suggest that urban seniors may have diverse HFS environment risks compared with the general population, highlighting the need for older adult focused HFS interventions.

The development of the residential Fire H.E.L.P. tool kit: a resource to protect homebound older adults

This article describes the development of the Fire H.E.L.P. tool kit for training selected Meals On Wheels (MOW) staff in Texas to implement a fire safety program for homebound older adults. We used a formative evaluation approach during the tool kit's development, testing, and initial implementation stages. The tool kit includes instructional curricula on how to implement Fire H.E.L.P., a home assessment tool to determine a residence's smoke alarm needs, and fire safety educational materials. During the tool kit's pilot test, MOW participants showed enhanced fire safety knowledge and high levels of confidence about applying their newfound training skills. After the pilot test, MOW staff used the tool kit to conduct local training sessions, provide fire safety education, and install smoke alarms in the homes of older adults. We believe the approach used to develop this tool kit can be applied to education efforts for other, related healthy home topics.