Assessment of Fire Safety Preparedness in Elementary Schools: Evidence from Banjarmasin, Indonesia
Abstract
School fire incidents present critical risks to vulnerable demographics, particularly in developing urban areas. This study evaluates the structural fire preparedness of primary education facilities. Employing a descriptive qualitative research design, this study selected thirty-two elementary schools in Banjarmasin City through purposive sampling, prioritizing institutions near high-density residential zones with predominantly wooden structures. The assessment framework was established based on the Banjarmasin City Regional Regulation Number 13 of 2008, supplemented by the Indonesian Ministry of Public Works Regulation Number 26/PRT/M/2008. The evaluation criteria strictly measured four core dimensions of fire preparedness: active fire protection facilities, passive fire truck access, life-saving evacuation facilities, and Building Fire Safety Management (MKKG). Primary data were gathered through direct on-site observations, standardized checklists, and interviews with school principals. The findings revealed severe gaps across the evaluation criteria: only 22% of schools possessed functional fire extinguishers, none had fire hydrants, and life-saving assets such as emergency lights and exit signs were completely absent. While 94% of the sites demonstrated sufficient fire truck accessibility, the implementation of formal MKKG scored 0% across all sampled institutions due to the total absence of emergency response organizations or written evacuation plans. It is concluded that fire safety readiness remains critically suboptimal. These systematic deficiencies highlight an urgent need for policy interventions, integrating school operational budgets with standardized emergency response governance.
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