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Fire risk reduction through a community‐based risk assessment: reflections from Makola Market, Accra, Ghana
Author(s) -
OtengAbabio Martin,
Sarpong Akwasi Owusu
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
disasters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.744
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1467-7717
pISSN - 0361-3666
DOI - 10.1111/disa.12116
Subject(s) - stakeholder , disaster risk reduction , poison control , business , environmental planning , psychological intervention , occupational safety and health , vulnerability (computing) , suicide prevention , hazard , human factors and ergonomics , injury prevention , risk assessment , enforcement , environmental health , environmental resource management , risk analysis (engineering) , computer security , geography , medicine , public relations , political science , computer science , economics , chemistry , organic chemistry , pathology , psychiatry , law
This paper explores the level of vulnerability to the hazard of fire that exists in Makola Market in Accra, Ghana, and assesses how this threat can be reduced through a community‐based risk assessment. It examines the perceptions of both market‐stall occupants and primary stakeholders regarding the hazard of fire, and analyses the availability of local assets (coping strategies) with which to address the challenge. Through an evaluation of past instances of fire, as well as in‐depth key stakeholder interviews, field visits, and observations, the study produces a detailed hazard map of the market. It goes on to recommend that policymakers consider short‐to‐long‐term interventions to reduce the degree of risk. By foregrounding the essence of holistic and integrated planning, the paper calls for the incorporation of disaster mitigation measures in the overall urban planning process and for the strict enforcement of relevant building and fire safety codes by responsible public agencies.