Multi-criteria optimisation of fire station location in Gaza Strip

Abstract

This paper evaluated fire stations' locations and suggested how to improve their performance in Gaza Strip. The paper used two models, and these models include set covering and goal programing models. The models were solved in two stages: the first stage used the set covering model to determine the number of fire stations needed for given time limits. The output of the first model was inputted into second model to determine the fire stations' locations. Further, several scenarios were proposed for sensitivity analysis. The first scenario freely identified each fire station locations, while the second scenario was forced the model to select/unselect given locations based on decision-maker preferences. Based on the fire department's request which called for expansion through identifying the optimum number and locations of new fire stations needed at six and eight minutes, it was found that they need to build 12 new stations and six new stations, respectively.