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Fire is one of the most common hazards worldwide that exists in all walks of life. This can be in workplaces, factories, industries, residential areas, areas of mass gathering, etc. It has been identified as one of the major threats in the United Nations Global Assessment Report 2018. The Emergency Management Division of Washington defines a fire as "an uncontrolled burning of a residence or building due to natural, human or technical causes" (Emergency Management Division - Washington, 2002).

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of India has also recognized the fire as a human-induced disaster. Around 1.5 deaths per 100,000 persons have been reported due to fire hazards globally in the year 2017 while the total number of reported incidents in the same year is around 3.1 million (Center for Fire Statistics, 2019). Apart from burning, fire is considered to be the deadliest danger because of its side effects. It depletes oxygen from the surrounding incident and most of the victims in a fire die of suffocation due to smoke and lack of oxygen. The burning of material due to fire can release toxic gases that cause lung and breathing problems to the victims. In addition, the heating effect of fire causes liquids, gases, and various metals to expand, often causing explosions and bursts. Fire is one of the most frequent disasters in India, especially during the hot dry summer months. The country has been a victim of fire incidents many times in all the states. Urban areas, especially towns and cities, as well as factories and industries are vulnerable to fire. Most of the deaths in the country are due to fire hazards. About 83,872 fire incidents have been recorded in India during the years 2014 to 2018 (Ministry of Home Affairs; Department of States; National Crime Records Bureau, 2018). The present study is conducted in Kota City to find out the residents awareness about fire safety and their response mechanism to deal with the critical fire situation. Further, this study tried to reveal the facts that the differences of fire safety preparedness amongst those who were exposed to fire incidents or not exposed to fire incidents. The city of Kota is a famous education center in the country for its engineering and medical entrance competitive examination. The city is known by various names such as the Education City of India and the Coaching Capital of India; because it is famous for its thriving coaching culture. It is famous for its IIT JEE preparation as well as medical exam preparation. It is now a hub of educational institutions; many cities do not see such an influx of thousands of students every year and have earned good revenue. It is the third most populous city of Rajasthan, situated on the banks of river Chambal. Considering the significance of city, it has seen increasing trend of fire incidents in the busiest coaching areas, scrap market, airport area and industrial areas. Kota has become fire prone zone and incidents are taking place most often.

In recent years, India has witnessed the increasing trend of fire incidents and so disastrous for human life and properties. According to National Crime Record Bureau Report 2018, 83,872 fire cases reported during 2014-18 in the country. The state-wise details of fire incidents reported in 2018 are given below;

According to Centre of Fire Statistics 2019 report, 81634 persons died due to fire incidents in India during 2014-18. The year wise description of deaths due to fire incidents are as follows;

Although the trend of deaths due fire incidents have gone down during 2014-18 but still significant number of deaths are taking place due to fire incidents, which may be avoided with precautionary measures. 

In recent years, Kota city has also witnessed various fire incidents causing disastrous for human life and properties. The series of fire incidents have arisen the need to understand the fire safety preparedness amongst the residents of Kota City so that the risk of fire related incidents can be minimized and the people and their properties’ may be saved from the disastrous loss due to fire incidents. 

Present study is based on exploratory research. As the fire incidents are growing in the city, how far the people are aware and prepared to deal with the fire incidents. This study explores the residents’ preparedness about fire safety especially with those who were exposed and unexposed to fire incidents. Exploratory Research Exploratory research studies are also called formative research studies. The main objective of such studies is to formulate a problem for more precise investigation or to develop a working hypothesis from an operational point of view. Major emphasis is placed on the discovery of ideas and insights in such studies. Exploratory research design provides an opportunity to consider different aspects of a problem and explore new dimensions of study. In the present study an attempt has been made to collect the facts from the people about their awareness and preparedness to deal with the fire incidents. Geographical Area Present study is related to the fire accidents under Kota city. Therefore, the geographical area of this study is related to Kota City.

Simple random sampling method was used to select the sample respondents. All the sample respondents belong to those geographical areas where fire incidents took place and they were living close to those areas. A total of 100 sample respondents are selected for the purpose of the study.  Out of 100 sample respondents , 80 sample respondents belong to unexposed group whereas 20 sample respondents belong to exposed group of the fire incidents. Since this study is of exploratory in nature, a semi-structured interview schedule was used to collect information for the study.

 The question related to the preparedness to tackle the fire incidents was asked to all the respondents to find out whether they and their families are prepared to tackle the fire incidents. Table 1 represents the respondents’ response related to family preparedness to tackle fire incidents.

 Table 1: Respondents and their family preparedness to tackle fire incidents

Out of 100 sample respondents, 53.0 percent respondents said that they are prepared for such incidents, 22 percent respondents also said that they are partially prepared but 25 percent respondents said either not prepared or do not know. It is important to note that the group who were exposed to fire incidents is well prepared with respect to the group who did not have any such exposure. Among the respondents who were exposed to the fire incidents, around 90 percent respondents said that they were ready to face the fire incidents and well prepared with most of the precautionary measure.

The question related to the community preparedness was asked to all respondents to find out whether their communities are well prepared to tackle the fire incidents. Table 2 reflects the community preparedness to tackle the fire incidents.

Table 2: Community preparedness to tackle the fire incidents

Type of Respondents	Total Respondents	Yes	Partially Yes	No	Don’t Know	Total
Respondents exposed to fire incidents	20	16	4			20
	Percentage	80.0	20.0	0.0	0.0	100.0
Respondents unexposed to fire incidents	80	25	30	15	10	80
	Percentage	31.3	37.5	18.8	12.5	100.0
Total Respondents	100	41	34	15	10	100
	Percentage	41.0	34.0	15.0	10.0	100.0

Out of 100 sample respondents, 41.0 percent respondents said that they are prepared for such incidents, 34 percent respondents also said that they are partially prepared but 25 percent respondents said either not prepared or do not know. It is important to note that the group who were exposed to fire incidents is well prepared with respect to the group who did not have any such exposure. Among the respondents who were exposed to the fire incidents, around 80 percent respondents said that their communities are ready to face the fire incidents and well prepared with most of the precautionary measure.

The question related to fire safety preparedness was discussed within their family members was asked to all respondents to find out whether they had discussed the preparedness for fire incidents within their families.  Table 3 reflects the respondents response for the discussion of fire safety preparedness within their families.

Table 3: Discussion about fire safety preparedness within their families

 

 

Out of 100 sample respondents, 33.0 percent respondents said that they had discussed the fire incidents prepared within families, 34 percent respondents also said that they had partially discussed but nearly 50 percent respondents said that they never discussed such issue within their families. Among the respondents who were exposed to the fire incidents, around 90 percent respondents said that they had discussed the fire incidents prepared within their families whereas only 18.8 percent unexposed respondents admitted that they had discussed the fire safety preparedness within their families. It clearly reflect that the group of respondents’ exposed to fire incidents are more sincere to discuss the fire safety preparedness within their families.

The question related to awareness about fire emergency number was asked to all respondents to find out their awareness level in case of fire emergency situation. Table 4 reflects the comparative response amongst the exposed and unexposed group of respondents about awareness of fire emergency number.  

Table 4 – Awareness about fire emergency number 101

Type of Respondents	Total Respondents	Yes	Partially Yes	No	Don’t Know	Total
Respondents exposed to fire incidents	20	20				20
	Percentage	100.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	100.0
Respondents unexposed to fire incidents	80	18	12	40	10	80
	Percentage	22.5	15.0	50.0	12.5	100.0
Total Respondents	100	38	12	40	10	100
	Percentage	38.0	12.0	40.0	10.0	100.0

Out of 100 sample respondents, 38.0 percent respondents said that they knew about the emergency call number for fire incidents. Nearly, 50 percent respondents did not know the number to be called at the time of fire incidents. Among the respondents who were exposed to the fire incidents, 100 percent respondents said that they knew fire emergency help line number 101 whereas only 38 percent respondents of the unexposed group admitted that they are aware of fire emergency number. Again the exposed group has better awareness about fire emergency number.

The question related awareness about the availability and using of first aid medical kit was asked to all respondents to find the differences amongst two groups of respondents. Table 5 reflects the awareness level about using of first aid medical kits in both the groups.

Table 5: Availability and awareness about using of first aid medical kit

Type of Respondents	Total Respondents	Yes	Partially Yes	No	Don’t Know	Total
Respondents exposed to fire incidents	20	18	2			20
	Percentage	90.0	10.0	0.0	0.0	100.0
Respondents unexposed to fire incidents	80	20	10	30	20	80
	Percentage	25.0	12.5	37.5	25.0	100.0
Total Respondents	100	38	12	30	20	100
	Percentage	38.0	12.0	30.0	20.0	100.0

 Out of 100 respondents, 38 percent respondents said that they have first aid medical kit required for fire incidents but nearly 50 percent respondents said that they do not have any such medical kits. 12 percent respondents said that they had partial items of first aid kit. It is important to note that amongst the families who were exposed to fire incidents, 90 percent respondents said that they had first aid medical kit required during emergency situation whereas only 25 percent respondents of unexposed group admitted the availability of using of first aid medical kit. There is a clear difference in availability and using of first aid medical kits in both the groups.

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