FIRE EVACUATION PREPAREDNESS AMONG OLDER RESIDENTS IN AN INDEPENDENT LIVING FACILITY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i43.2121Keywords:
Fire safety, Independent Living, Older Residents, Evacuation, Human BehaviourAbstract
This study examines fire evacuation preparedness among older residents in an independent living facility, with particular attention to self-reported fire safety knowledge, perceived evacuation cues, and egress-related preparedness. Using the Protective Action Decision Model (PADM) as a guiding framework, a structured survey questionnaire was administered to 137 residents aged 50 years and above at an Independent Living Complex, Temerloh, Pahang of whom 75 provided complete responses for analysis, immediately after an inaugural fire drill conducted at the facility. The questionnaire comprised four sections addressing respondent background, environmental and social cues, protective action decision-making, and fire safety knowledge. Findings indicate that respondents placed strong importance on route-related orientation, place of assembly, and alarm-related cues, while mobility-related considerations remained relevant to perceived evacuation readiness. Given that the survey relied on self-reported responses from a single site immediately after a drill, findings are interpreted as exploratory post-drill perceptions rather than definitive evidence of evacuation performance. Nonetheless, the study offers practical insight for planning and facility design, highlighting the need for clearer wayfinding signage, accessible and redundant alarm communication systems, and structured assisted-evacuation arrangements to strengthen fire preparedness among older residents in independent living settings.
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