GIS is used heavily by fire departments for several logistic and analytical functions. Here we were introduced to how the Calgary Fire Department uses GIS to improve public safety. We went over 5 main applications:
- risk analysis
- response mapping
- operational decision making
- station planning
- apparatus deployment and station relocation
and beyond these applications the department maps monthly calls, properties, fire-related deaths, station and hydrant locations, historical fire damage, and oil and gas locations. All in an effort to streamline and focus their operations to have to best response possible.
Station planning is integral to response times and coverage. GIS technicians map response times, incidents, and other stations to help determine where fire stations should be located. The level of detail that goes into planning where a station goes and even what kind of equipment is contained within it astounded me. Through creating a 3D model of building heights in a city or town stations can identify which fire stations should have ladder trucks. This allocation of equipment is not only great for streamlining service and training. Under budgetary contraints the most economically advantageous configuration of fire stations and allocation of equipment and fire fighters could be determined.
As we learned previously, having successful results largely depends on the data you collect. For Fire Departments this means conducting pre-incident surverys. These surveys catalog building floor plans, diagrams of the surrounding grounds, business types, and the locations of hydrants to map risk and how a response will be performed.