Situation and Factors Affecting Awareness of Fire Prevention and Rescue Measures among Students: A Case Study in Hanoi

Abstract

Recent fires and explosions in Vietnam have resulted in significant physical and psychological damage, undermining both safety and social security. This study, conducted during the first semester of the 2024-2025 academic year, analyzes data collected from questionnaires completed by 352 students at a university in Hanoi. The objective was to identify factors influencing students’ awareness of fire prevention and rescue skills. The findings reveal that a relatively small number of students possess adequate awareness and practical ability to take appropriate action in the event of a fire. Notably, they are initially unaware of how to use fire prevention and firefighting equipment (13.9%), about the evacuation procedures in the event of a fire (8.5%), and basic first aid for injuries (16.5%). Key factors influencing students’ awareness include limited exposure to fire prevention skills, with 55.7% of them reporting only occasional exposure and insufficient opportunities to engage in formal learning and practice, and 52.8% indicating limited opportunities for hands-on training. Based on these results, this study recommends enhancing the systematic delivery of fire prevention and rescue education, and extending the duration of practical fire drills to improve students’ preparedness and their response capabilities.