The DPQOL developed a fire safety and emergency preparedness education program for individuals living with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) who use wheelchairs and/or scooters full-time. Previous research indicates that only 60% of individuals living with SCI have a plan for emergency evacuation, and that individuals with mobility disabilities disproportionately die in residential fires. This study is sponsored by the Craig H. Neilson Foundation, and is being performed by researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. All testing for this study was completely online using video conferencing software (e.g., Zoom).
Phase I and II of the study has already been completed.
In phase I, we gathered input from focus groups with people who use wheelchair and scooter (WC/S) living with SCI and MS along with firefighters to develop a hybrid online education program focused on residential fire safety preparedness, called Fire Evacuation (in) Wheelchair and Scooter Users, or FEW. The FEW program has both synchronous and asynchronous components, utilizing a variety of active learning techniques. The Asynchronous component involved reviewing pre-recorded education material online, setting goals, journaling, and using action planning techniques. The Synchronous component involves groups of 3-5 participants meeting virtually with a firefighter to discuss the pre-recorded materials. Participants also reviewed their goals and journal entries with the fire fighter in order to receive individualized feedback.
In Phase II, our team aimed to test the feasibility and efficacy of implementing FEW in a home setting, and evaluate whether FEW improves the quality of evacuation plans, improves communication between individuals who use WC/S and fire fighters, increases confidence in the ability to safety evacuate a residence in the event of a fire, and reduces anxiety and stress about residential fire events. Participants participated in the FEW program, providing feedback on the education content, the group discussion, and suggestions for improvements. We have conducted Phase II with 42 participants and received high satisfaction with their feedback.