Assessing teachers' fire security knowledge, training effectiveness and attitudinal changes: a cross-sectional study in Turkey

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge level of teachers about basic fire and extinguishing and the effectiveness of the fire training received. This is a cross-sectional study. The research population comprises teachers employed in educational institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education (MNE) in Konya, Turkey, during the year 2021. The sample of this research consisted of 2649 participants who voluntarily agreed to participate in the research and answered all questions completely. Data were collected from the questionnaire forms prepared by the researchers by examining the literature in the electronic environment via Google Forms. Of the participants, 53.7% were women, 39.8% were between the ages of 35 and 44 and 93.0% were working as teachers. The fire safety knowledge score is higher for those who attended the fire training. While the fire knowledge score increased as the end-of-training attainment score increased in those receiving fire training, no significant relationship was found between the education environment and content score, the educator effectiveness score, the status of having a fire extinguishing task and having encountered a fire and this score. Teachers' fire safety knowledge score is higher and at a moderate level compared to the attitude score. Participating in fire education positively affects both knowledge and attitude toward fire.