In this lecture I learned about the application of GIS by the fire departments. GIS offers the ability to visualize geospatial data that are constantly being gathered by the fire departments. Visualization can be a very efficient way to communicate important information when disaster strikes and where each minute is extremely valuable. Using GIS, fire departments are able to determine the most suitable location by considering spatial variables such as proximity to different communities and response time as well as equipping important equipment such as ladders for different types of buildings in the area. Therefore, when a fire occur, GIS locates the nearest fire department and create the quickest route to the scene, saving valuable time for the fire fighters to extinguish the fire and save lives.
GIS also helps the fire departments by locating the exact location of fire hydrants instead of using addresses. This allows the quickest time needed for fire responders to access the water source to extinguish the fire. Additionally, it also makes hydrant maintenance convenient. Therefore, integrating GIS can definitely offer unlimited benefits for the fire department and allows them to visualize their complex data sets conveniently.