Safety analysis and prioritization of urban areas in order to allocate urban relief service centers (Case study: Ardabil city)

Subject Areas :

SEPIDEH NOORI ¹ , Alireza Mohammadi ² , ATA ghafarigilandeh ³

1 - Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, , University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
2 - Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, , University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
3 - Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili

Received: 2021-11-16 Accepted : 2022-01-25 Published : 2024-02-20

Keywords: GIS, Spatial analysis, Ardabil city, Fuzzy Topsis, Fire Stations,

Abstract :

Today, fires represent a significant hazard stemming from both natural occurrences and human activities, presenting multifaceted challenges across urban settings. Fire stations emerge as pivotal service hubs within cities, necessitating strategic placement to ensure timely and dependable response, unimpeded by urban constraints. This study endeavors to devise a suitable model for the establishment and distribution of fire stations in Ardabil city. The research methodology is predominantly descriptive-analytical, employing a combination of documentary studies, library research, and field surveys for data collection. The Moran index is utilized to assess the distribution pattern of existing fire stations, while the Analytic Network Process (ANP) method, facilitated by Super Decisions software, is employed to weigh 16 criteria determining optimal station locations. Subsequently, the Fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (Fuzzy TOPSIS) model, within the ArcGIS software framework, is utilized to identify suitable zones for new fire station placement. Findings reveal gaps in coverage by existing stations concerning functional radius and population density, indicating a need for 11 additional stations to adequately serve Ardabil's population of 516,277. The Moran index underscores the randomness of the current station distribution pattern. Ultimately, the study delineates suitable areas for new station deployment across five distinct levels on a map. This research serves as a valuable resource for crisis management in Ardabil, offering insights into the current state and distribution pattern of fire stations, as well as delineating areas for new station establishment.    
Extended Abstract
 
 
Introduction
 
At present and in the future, ensuring safety in life is essential for human beings. Fire stations are one of the most important and vital centers for providing security in the city in critical situations. Fire stations can provide their services in a timely and safe manner if they are located in suitable places and can reach the accident site in the shortest time and without facing obstacles and limitations of the urban environment. The most important problem in servicing these centers is the lack of proper distribution of stations and the limited operating radius of existing stations. This has also been true of locating fire stations in the city of Ardabil; and every year, many people lose their lives and property due to various accidents, including fires. It is involved in the spatial distribution of municipal services, including fire stations. As 7 fire stations in the city are not able to serve the whole city. Therefore, in this research, spatial distribution and suitable zones for locating fire stations in Ardabil city are done using Fuzzy Topsis model in GIS software.
 
Methodology
Stations in Ardabil by the end of 1399 were extracted from the official statistics of the fire department and transferred to the GIS environment and the necessary analyzes were performed using spatial statistical techniques. By determining the status of existing stations and research objectives, we have identified suitable areas for locating fire stations. In general, the location selection process in this research can be expressed in four general parts: 1. determining the study area, 2. Determining the evaluation or decision criteria, 3. determining the weight of the criteria, and 4. Weight and overlapping criteria maps. Accordingly, after selecting the study area, the criteria affecting the location of fire stations were selected from different sources and in the next step, the criteria were weighted based on the opinions of experts using the network analysis method in Super Design software. After determining the weight of the selected criteria, using the Fuzzy Topsis model in the GIS software environment, the criteria were evaluated and finally, a combination map of the criteria that showed the best place to build a fire station was extracted.
Results and discussion
This study achieved its main goal, which was to determine the appropriate locations for the location of new fire stations. However, in order to complete the issue in the next step, based on the appropriate zones for locating fire stations, suggested sites for constructing new fire stations have been proposed. According to the population of Ardabil and the standard of one fire station for every thousand people, 4 fire stations are required for the city. In this research, in order of priority and based on the set of research criteria, stations in the priority of location selection are marked with numbers. There is no certainty in choosing the location of new stations and it depends on economic conditions, managerial decision making, traffic conditions, budget and facilities of municipalities and other dynamic and difficult conditions in terms of forecasting. In the proposal of new stations, attention has been paid to building density and highway network. The proposed stations cover the city well. The obtained results are in line with the findings of Nazari et al. (2015), based on the need of the city to create new stations. It also confirms the results of Warsi et al. (2015) that the number of available stations is not enough to cover the entire city. Moreover, the results of this study are consistent with the findings of Noheghar et al. Except for these cases, the results of the paper are based on Murray (2013) findings that the existing stations are located in an inappropriate position. And is consistent with the results of Janek (2013) on the need to use new methods and especially the new scientific and executive approach to the problems of fire stations in the city.
 
Conclusion
One of the most important factors influencing the construction of fire stations is the location, and determining the optimal location maximizes the efficiency of fire stations and provides better services to users. With this in mind, fire stations should be properly located throughout the city. In this research, in the first step, the status and distribution pattern of existing fire stations in Ardebil city were analyzed using spatial analysis techniques in GIS environment. The results showed that fire stations do not completely cover all areas of the city and only cover part of the city of Ardabil and part of the east and west and the suburbs of the city are outside this radius of operation. In the second step, the pattern of distribution of existing stations was analyzed and the results showed that the pattern of distribution of stations in the city is random. Due to the need of the city for new stations or their spatial rearrangement, in the third step, suitable locations for the location of new fire stations were identified using the main criteria affecting the location

References:

References

1. Adeli, M. (2012). Site selection for fire station in Gorgan City using geographic information systems. Geographical Planning of Space Quarterly Journal, 1, 109-.


2. Adelizadeh, M., & Seyed Mohammad, S. (2019). Identifying fire risks for high-rise buildings: A factor analysis approach. Resilient City, 2(6). [In Persian].


3. Ajzae Shokouhi, M., Shayan, H., & Derroudi, M. H. (2013). The optimal location of fire stations in Mashhad. Journal of Geography and Environmental Hazards, 3, 107-128. doi: 10.22067/GEO.V3I3.32086. [In Persian].


4. Alavi, A., Salarvand, E., Ahmadabadi, A., Sis, S. F., & Bosshaq, M. R. (2013). Spatial analysis of fire stations based on crisis management by the combination of MCDM and network analysis. Emergency Management, 1, 57-66.


5. Aliabadi, Z., Nastaran, M., Pirani, F., & Sheikhzade, F. (2017). Fire station location using AHP and GIS compilation case study: Third zone of Esfahan city. Geographical Data, 26, -.


6. Ardabil Fire Department. (2020). Municipality.


7. (2017). Review of Ardabil city master and detailed plan studies. Report in: Library archives of the Ardabil's Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, 1. Ardabil; 2017.


8. Atai, M. (2010). Multi-criteria decision making. Shahroud: Shahroud University of Technology Press.


9. Bakhshi, M., Shamhamdi, R., & Hejazi, H. (2012).


10. Bolouri, V., Vafaeinejad, A., Alesheikh, A., & Aghamohammadi, H. (2021). Location-allocation problem of fire stations in Tehran, region 22 using "VAOMP" a unified approach. Geographical Planning of Space Quarterly Journal, 10, 43-56. 10.30488/GPS.2019.154046.2921[In Persian].


11. Chevalier, P., Thomas, I., Geraets, D., Goetghebeur, E., Janssens, O., Peeters, D., & Plastria, F. (2012). Locating fire stations: An integrated approach for Belgium. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 46, 173-182.


12. Ebrahimzadeh, E., Hosseini, A., & Kashefidoost, D. (2017). Analysis of the location of urban fire stations (Case Study: Piranshahr City). Journal of Geography and Planning, 20, 1-21. [In Persian].


13. Ertuğrul, İ., & Karakaşoğlu, N. (2009). Performance evaluation of Turkish cement firms with fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and TOPSIS methods. Expert Systems with Applications, 36, 702-715.


14. Esfandiari Darabad,F., Jedi, S., Mehboob, R. (2012). Investigating the natural and human bottlenecks for the physical-physical development of cities in Garami using GIS. Geography and urban-regional planning, 3(6), 85-95. [In Persian].


15. Esmailnjand, M., & Eskandari, S. M. (2016). Site location of urban municipal facilities and equipment in line with utilization of Golden Time Crisis Management (Case study: Birjand fire stations). Journal of Disaster Prevention and Management Knowledge, 6, 253-263. [In Persian].


16. Fard, N. R., Gheisvandi, A., Mohit, M., & Daneshi, S. (2014). Optimal locating of fire stations in intra-city traffic networks for helping people in the case of earthquake. Geographical Information Quarterly (Sepehr), 23, 48-.


17. Ghods, M., & Kamyabi, S. (2014). Using AHP techniques in GIS for fire station site selection: A case study of Semnan. Journal of Geographical Exploration of Desert Areas, 2, 165-185.


18. Hemat, H., Farhadi, A., & Khadem, A. H. (2019). The role of decision-making systems (GIS) in managing future crises. Quarterly Journal Defensive Future Studies, 4, 143-164. doi: 10.22034/DFSR.2019.36259[In Persian].


19. Heydari, R., & Rostami, M. (2015). Submitting and evaluating a model for locating optimal sites for establishing fire stations through GIS (Case Study: Kermanshah City). Journal of Studies of Human Settlements Planning, 9, 87-99.


20. Hoseini, S. F., Soleymani, M., Azizpour, F., & Porbar, Z. (2014). Application of GIS in the role of local institutions disaster for rural areas (City Qyrvkarzyn). Scientific-Research Quarterly of Geographical Data (SEPEHR), 23, 46-53.


21. Hosseinpour Koohshahi, B., Mahdavi Najafabadi, R., Holisaz, A (2019). Site selection of firehouses based on fuzzy logic and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) (Case Study: Region one of Bandar Abbas Municipality). Journal of Geography and Urban Space Development, 5, 145-163. https://doi.org/10.22067/gusd.v5i2.62850.[In Persian].


22. Javan, I. P., & Farhad. (2016). Analysis of limits of safety and optimal positioning of fire stations by using GIS (Case Study: Rasht). Territory, 13, 1-16.


23. Khanahmadi, M., Arabi, M., Vafaienejad, A., & Rezaiean, H. (2014). Locate fire stations using fuzzy logic and AHP integration in GIS environment (Case Study: District 1 District 10 of Tehran). Geographical Information Quarterly (Sepehr), 23(89), 88-98. [In Persian].


24. Klausner, J. (2018). Assessment of physical vulnerability of buildings to an earthquake using local TOPSIS and global TOPSIS: A case study of the San Fernando Valley. California State University, Northridge.


25. Lin, H.-T. (2010). Fuzzy application in service quality analysis: An empirical study. Expert Systems with Applications, 37, 517-526.


26. Mohamadrahim, Rahnama, & Aftab, A. (2014). Locating the fire stations of Urmia City using GIS and AHP. Geography and Development Iranian Journal, 12, 153-166.


27. Mohammadi, A., Pishgar, E., & Noori, S. (2018). Spatial analysis of urban sewage network events using GIS: A case study of Ardabil City. Research and Urban Planning, 9(34), 105-118. DOI: 10.1001.1.22285229.1397.9.34.8.9[In Persian].


28. Momeni, M., & Sharifi Salim, A. (2010). Models and multi-character decision making software (author).


29. Murray, A. T. (2013). Optimising the spatial location of urban fire stations. Fire Safety Journal, 62, 64-71.


30. Nazarian, A., Yari, P., & Karminejad, T. (2014). Optimum location of fire stations using GIS geographic information system (case study: Kermanshah city). Scientific Journal of Rescue and Relief, 7(2), 26-37.[In Persian].


31. Rahnama, M., & Aftab, A. (2014). Locating the fire stations of Urmia City using GIS and AHP. Geography and Development Iranian Journal, 12, 153-166. [In Persian].


32. Riahi, V., Tawalaei, S., Ziaeian, P., Abdi, A., & Azizdoust, A. (2014). Determination of Optimum Location Regarding Fire Station in Rural Settlements of Bookan. Geography, 12(41), 179-200. [In Persian].


33. Rozhina, M., Lyubomirskiy, A., & Talipova, L. (2020). Analysis of fire departments location in St. Petersburg. In E3S Web of Conferences, 04013. EDP Sciences.


34. Salehi, E., Sayyedeh Ale, M., & Ramezani, M. M. (2018). Assessing the spatial distribution of firefighting stations by modeling of network analyzing (Case study: Tehran Metropolis). Urban Areas Studies, 5, 17-31. [In Persian].


35. Shiri, F., & Shams, M. (2016). Factors affecting the location of fire stations with an emphasis on cluster analysis technique. Amayesh Journal, 33, 113-132. [In Persian].


36. Shiri, F., & Shams, M. (2016). Factors affecting the location of fire stations with an emphasis on cluster analysis technique. Amayesh Journal, 33, 113-132. [In Persian].


37. Statistical Census Report. (2018). Ardabil province housing and population census reports and data. Available from: www.sci.ir.


38. Sufianto, H., & Green, A. R. (2012). Urban fire situation in Indonesia. Fire Technology, 48, 367-387.


39. Taghizadeh Fanid, A., Saleki Maleki, M. A., Ranjbarnia, B., & Ghasemi Khoi, M. (2014). Providing a model for the rational deployment of fire stations (case example: Tabriz city). Scientific Journal of Rescue and Relief, 7(2), 81-92. [In Persian].


40. Varesi, H. R., Nasrin, S., & Jasem, S. M. (2016). Location of fire stations by using overlap index and analytical hierarchy process (case study: Najafabad city). Journal of Rescue and Relief, 7, 56. [In Persian].


41. Vas, Z., & Szakalne Kano, I. (2010). Analyzing spatial distribution of knowledge-intensive industries in Hungary at sub-regional level.


42. Yao, J., Zhang, X., & Murray, A. T. (2019). Location optimization of urban fire stations: Access and service coverage. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems, 73, 184-190.


43. Yazdani, M. H., & Saidain Afshar, S. (2017). Deliberation the vulnerability of the city in terms of passive defense (Case Study: Ardabil City). Geographical Information (Sepehr), 25(100), 17-34. https://doi.org/10.22131/sepehr.2017.24803[In Persian].