Fire Disaster Emergency Practices of Selected Markets In South-South Region Of Nigeria
By Okwuonu I. E., Umeuduji, J. E., Chukwu-okeah, G. O.Despite the importance of fire disaster emergency practices, it has been a thing of neglect in most public facilities in Nigeria and this has been a contributing factor to the never-ending fire incidents. The study assessed the fire disaster emergency practices among selected markets in south-south region of Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design and questionnaire for data collection among shop owner/space occupant across major markets in Rivers, Bayelsa and Cross-Rivers States. The result of the study showed that majority of respondents are aware of fire disaster in the markets (58.1%) and perceived electrical fault (64.3%) as the major causal agent of fire in the market. Furthermore, majority of the respondents disagreed about market association is charge with electrical work (70.0%), occupants are restricted from using naked fire (55.7%), space/shop occupants are restricted from domestic activities in the market (52.9%) and fire extinguisher is available in the market (78.7%). Overall, there was lack of prevention, mitigation and response measures among various markets and their occupants. The study therefore recommended that restriction should be placed on various fire causing agents and activities while electrical related activities should be done to standard and accordingly.