Investigating the Preparedness of Staff Members in Privately Owned Hospitals in Sri Lanka Against Fire Hazards

Hospitals have a high potential for fire hazards due to reasons such as the presence of volatile chemicals, large electrical networks, and high waste generation. In addition to taking steps to prevent fire, preparation of staff to face a fire hazard should also be done. This study looks at the current level of fire safety training and preparedness of staff members in privately owned hospitals in Sri Lanka. A structured questionnaire was developed to assess fire safety training and preparedness of hospital staff members. This was used to interview sixty-six staff members of multiple major private hospitals. The staff consisted of various positions ranging from medical staff to security and maintenance staff. The study revealed that over 70% of the staff had training in basic fire management and more responsibility in emergency response had been given to the maintenance and security staff in the hospitals. Overall, the staff in private hospitals were suitably prepared for fire hazards, with each institution holding fire training programs annually. It is recommended that staff preparedness can be increased through actions such as carrying out regular fire safety training and drills, developing a fire action plan for the hospital, and designating a fire safety officer for the hospital.