ABSTRACT
The study assessed the responses of the fire service to market fire outbreaks in Benin City, Edo State. The investigation was based on the use of research survey employing the instrument of questionnaire and observation. Coordinates of the markets and fire stations were also taken for spatial analysis. The objective of the research was directed to examine the operations of the fire service in Benin Metropolis; causes of market fire; spatial extent covered by the fire department; the location and distribution of fire service; the response time of the fire department to market fire; the success rate of the fire service to market fire; market areas that are served and underserved by the fire department; To study the perception of the locales towards the call of fire service.
The research revealed that most of the fire incidents occurred in the night time and evening, most likely caused by electrical appliances not put off, according to some respondents. The research observed that fire was put out either by communal assistance, the fire service department of the joint effort of both the fire service department and communal assistance. Findings from the research showed that there was absence of fire equipments and safety protocols put in place in markets. However, these equipments were present in the fire stations. The research observed that greater populations of the market traders are not aware of the fire emergency numbers.
On perception with respect calling the fire service in cases of fire outbreaks, the research revealed the traders thought of it as a good option. The research observed that there is a disparity in the response time given by the market respondents and the fire service department. Most market respondents responded that it took the fire service 40 minutes and above to arrive areas of fire outbreaks, whereas, the fire service personnel responded it took 15minutes and less. The research observed that the fire service stations in the study area are dispersed in distribution pattern.
From the research, it was suggested that the government equip fire stations adequately to optimize operations. Safety protocols and fire equipments should be provided in markets to reduce cases of fire outbreaks. Educative measures on sensitizing the market traders on fire fighting methods were also suggested.
