Fire Service Accessibility to Potential Intervention Areas in Łódź Voivodship

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Fire Service Accessibility to Potential Intervention Areas in Łódź Voivodship

Journal Title: Safety & Fire Technology - Year 2016, Vol 43, Issue 43

Abstract

Aim: This analysis provides a spatial focus on the determination of firefighting resource requirements and matching the distribution of resources according to needs created by the concentration of population and terrain profile. Matching of resources will shape the Łódź Voivodship environment for the essential operation of the Fire Brigade. Project and Methods: For each topic a “two step floating catchment area” analysis method was applied, in the classic and modified versions. Modifications may be applied in such a manner so as to admit different elements, which may impact on firefighting operations. Three response time scales were stipulated for arrival at a potential intervention scene; duration of no more than 5, 15 and 30 minutes. The basic area exposed to scrutiny is a commune. It is in this context that differentiated spatial accessibility is determined. The distance between each firefighting establishment under scrutiny (a point on the segment of the road network at fire station level) and individual management elements of the municipality (their centroids), is expressed in units of time taken by an appliance to reach the scene of an incident. With the use of local statistics “Getisa-Orda”, the entire study was able to identify areas with particularly high and low accessibility levels to intervention scenes. The study took account of population, building configuration, road infrastructure, rail infrastructure, forests, watercourses and reservoirs. Results: Study results reveal that the best protected areas by the Fire Service are found in communes near the northern and southern area of the region. There is a clear deterioration in the level of accessibility to communities as the distance from the centre of the region decreases. The area, which merits special attentions is somewhat offset towards the southwest of the region and mainly includes municipalities of Pabianice and Łódź East. Conclusion: A spatial focus on Fire Service activities may provide a diagnostic tool for eventual action intended to improve the effectiveness of the Fire Service. It can also be used during implementation to address problematic issues for new fire stations. It is advisable that the results obtained by this study should be compared with an analysis of actual Fire Service interventions for the region with a focus on: type of incident, duration and effectiveness.

Authors and Affiliations

dr Szymon Wiśniewsi

Keywords

EP ID EP234581
DOI 10.12845/bitp.43.3.2016.2
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