Community/Public Health Nurses' Awareness of Residential High-Rise Fire Safety issues

• Main Authors: Gary Glauberman PhD, RN, PHNA-BC (Author), Kristine Qureshi PhD, RN, CEN, PHNA-BC, FAAN (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: SAGE Publishing, 2021-09-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2377-9608; 10.1177/23779608211040597
• Keywords: Nursing; RT1-120
• Source: SAGE Open Nursing, Vol 7 (2021)

High-rise (HR) building fires remain a tragic cause of preventable injury and death in the United States. Recent incidences of HR building fires have served as high-profile reminders of the persistent threat that HR fires pose to public health. Fire safety is an important aspect of household emergency preparedness addressed by community/public health nurses (C/PHNs). This study aimed to address a gap in the literature regarding C/PHNs' awareness of fire safety for people and families who reside in HR buildings. A descriptive qualitative study using key-informant and focus group interviews was conducted involving C/PHNs ( n = 19) in Honolulu, Hawaii. Qualitative data analysis revealed three main themes related to this issue: (1) C/PHN awareness of HR fire safety issues, (2) C/PHN perceived barriers for HR building occupant fire safety, and (3) C/PHN suggested strategies to address HR fire safety for occupants. Findings highlight how more needs to be done to assure that C/PHNs are adequately prepared to work with occupants of residential HR buildings on matters related to fire safety.