Fire Extinguisher Online Training

The intent of this training was to equip learners with essential knowledge and skills to handle fire emergencies effectively. The primary focus was to help trainees understand fire behavior, identify fire extinguisher types, master the PASS technique for extinguisher operation, and grasp the fundamental rules of firefighting.

This training incorporates a learner survey designed to gain a deeper understanding of the targeted audience. Additionally, pre and post-tests are administered to gather comprehensive data on the impact of the training module and the overall effectiveness of the learning experience. A usability test was also conducted after the training was complete, to collect feedback on the product itself. These assessment forms serve to enhance the training and provide evidence that the training is effective in achieving its learning objectives.

The prototype used for this evaluation is one of three Otter Student Union(OSU) safety training modules, designed originally for OSU workers. In this specific learning module on fire safety, learners would be equipped with the essential knowledge and skills to understand how fires start and spread, and the appropriate actions to take during fire emergencies. The training session covered crucial topics that are vital for ensuring safety in the event of a fire. Throughout the module, they were introduced to the Fire Tetrahedron, a fundamental concept that explains how fires ignite and develop. Moreover, they were informed of the five different types of fire extinguishers and their specific applications. The module also walked them through the essential steps of operating fire extinguishers using the PASS method (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep). Lastly, learners would go over the basic rules of firefighting to equip them with a foundational understanding of how to approach fire emergencies safely and responsibly.

The module was built using Adobe Captivate and typically takes around 20 minutes to complete, although learners may take longer due to the interactive practice activities scattered around the module.

Pre and post-tests are administered to gather comprehensive data on the impact of the training module and the overall effectiveness of the learning experience. In addition, a usability test is conducted to collect feedback on the product itself. These assessment forms serve to enhance the training and provide evidence that the training is effective in achieving its learning objectives.

Prior to administering the Fire Extinguisher Training Module, we hypothesized that the training would result in an improvement in post-test scores, reflecting an enhancement in participants’ knowledge and understanding of fire safety. As such, the null hypothesis postulated no significant difference between pre- and post-test scores, suggesting that the training would not have a measurable impact on participants’ fire safety knowledge.

A paired two-sample t-test for dependent samples was conducted to compare the pre-test scores to the post-test scores. This analysis was appropriate as it allowed for the comparison of two related groups to determine if the training led to a statistically significant difference in scores. The degrees of freedom (df) for this test was 9, calculated as the number of pairs minus 1.

Statistical significance was assessed using a one-tailed test because our hypothesis was directional; we predicted that the post-test scores would be greater than the pre-test scores. The t-statistic was -5.373200827, and the corresponding one-tail p-value was 0.000224238, significantly less than the commonly used significance level of 0.05. The critical value for a one-tail test with df=9 at a 0.05 significance level is 1.833112933, which is less in magnitude than our calculated t-stat, leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. This indicates that there was a statistically significant increase in test scores after the implementation of the Fire Extinguisher Training Module.

d = (M2 – M1) / SDpooled = (7.5 – 3.9) / 1.842014761 = 1.9554184155

The effect size, calculated using Cohen’s d, was approximately 1.96, indicating a large effect size. This further supports the assertion that the training had a substantial impact on the participants’ understanding of fire safety.

In summary, the Fire Extinguisher Training Module was successful in significantly enhancing participants’ knowledge and comprehension of fire safety as reflected in the improved post-test scores. The substantial effect size underscores the practical importance of this improvement, validating the value of the training in equipping individuals with vital skills for handling fire emergencies. The findings from this evaluation affirm the training module’s efficacy and highlight its potential utility in various contexts beyond the initial target population. Future work could investigate its application in other environments or with other demographic groups to further bolster fire safety preparedness.