Assessment of Markets Fire Emergency Preparedness in Tanzania A Case Study of 6 Markets in Ilala City Council -Dares Salaam

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This study is intended to assess fire emergency preparedness in public and private markets in Dar es Salaam Region by measuring the specific market preparedness in fire emergency policies, fire safety equipment, signage and infrastructure, fire fighting knowledge and fire preparedness plans, and acknowledging areas of improvements. The study was comparative and adopted mixed approach design implying both quantitative and qualitative methods. Primary data were collected using questionnaires, semi-structured interview and observation. Secondary data were obtained reviewing published dissertations, articles, journals, textbooks and documents from the website. A total sample of 87 respondents from public markets were selected for the study. Quantitative data was analysed by using descriptive statistics with the help of SPSS. Qualitative data was analysed by using content analysis. The use of graphs and charts was encouraged to facilitate data presentation. The findings showed that fire emergency preparedness was good in private Markets compared to public market. The study revealed that both public and private markets had awareness on firefighting activities. However, public market did not offer much trainings compared to private markets which made majority of the respondents to have less knowledge on firefighting. Also, public markets lacked fire emergency policies, plans and some of firefighting equipment compared to private markets. The study recommended that markets should have fire emergency preparedness plans, policies, sufficient equipment, signage and infrastructure and monitoring and evaluation programs. Also separate fire preparedness budget and creation of awareness programs via different communication media to improve emergency preparedness