Assessing the Adequacy of the Emergency Assembly Points in Fuel Filling Stations in Ghana: The Perspective of the Public

Abstract

There is the need for rescue in every emergency situation. Siting of the Emergency Assembly Point (EAP) is necessary to get people converge to facilitate the recue process. Truly, these points may seem appropriate and adequate in many institutions but is that the same for all?  To find out the feeling of the public on the appropriateness of the EAP in fuel filling stations, this study, through a survey, was conducted in the Bono Region of Ghana. A sample size of 200 respondents was purposively and conveniently studied. These included customers, pump attendants and station managers. This descriptive study employed a structured questionnaire which was self – administered to pump attendants and station managers. Customer's responds were gathered through Google forms. The gathered data were analysed and presented using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). It was realised that people are generally aware of the EAP as well as its uses. However, they felt the point was not far enough to protect them from harm in certain emergencies. They were, therefore, not ready to converge in those points during emergencies. It is recommended that regulatory bodies should spell out emergency situations that are less dangerous for people to utilize these points. Also backup points should be allocated out of the filling station where people can go on their own when they are able to escape dangers from the stations or for serious emergencies.