Human Factors in Fire Emergency Response in the Hospitality Sector

Rethinking Preparedness in High-Risk Service Environments

Abstract

Fire emergency preparedness in the hospitality sector is often evaluated through technical infrastructure and regulatory compliance, overlooking the human factors that influence emergency response. This conceptual paper examines how cognitive, behavioral, and organizational factors shape fire preparedness in hotel environments. Drawing on literature from safety science, human reliability, and organizational behavior, the study synthesizes the roles of risk perception, situational awareness, stress, leadership, and safety climate in emergency decision-making. The analysis suggests that service demands, hierarchical expectations, and competing operational priorities may delay protective actions despite established safety procedures. It proposes a human-centered conceptual model that understands preparedness as a dynamic capability emerging from interactions between individual cognition and organizational conditions.