Fire Stations Research Articles

Impact of Collegiate Football Games on Emergency Response Intervals: A Case Study of College Station, Texas (USA).

Little is known about how mass gatherings affect emergency response intervals. Previous research suggests that college football games increase ambulance transport intervals, but their impact on emergency response intervals is unexplored. This study examines how collegiate home football games in College Station, Texas (USA) affect emergency vehicle response intervals. The study determined the impact of collegiate football games on emergency response intervals using incident data provided by the College Station Fire Department (CSFD). Home games during the 2021-2023 Texas A&M University (TAMU) football seasons were the period of interest. Responses for a 72-hour period (Friday-Sunday) on home game weekends (HGWs) and non-home game weekends (NHGWs) were included (n = 5,095). Response intervals on football HGWs were an average of 30 seconds faster than on NHGWs. Emergency vehicles were 16.5% less likely to respond from fire station locations on HGWs compared to NHGWs. There was also a 12.1% increase in the number of calls to campus locations and a 9.7% increase in calls to the local entertainment district on HGWs compared to NHGWs. Home collegiate football games do not delay response intervals for emergency response vehicles. Further research is needed to determine if these findings can be reproduced in other communities.

진주소방서 구급활동일지 평가소견 텍스트 마이닝 분석 연구

진주소방서 구급활동일지 평가소견 텍스트 마이닝 분석 연구

Characteristics of consecutive versus non-consecutive frequent emergency medical services transport to a single emergency department

Objective This study was to examine characteristics concerning frequent users of emergency medical services (EMS) transport by comparing patients who used EMS transport frequently for one year and those who used EMS transport for more than two years consecutively. Methods A retrospective review for frequent use of EMS transport was conducted. The patients from the fire stations that transported more than 70% of all EMS transport to the study hospital emergency department (ED) were included. The study subjects were divided into consecutive group (frequent EMS transport for ≥ two years consecutively) and non-consecutive group (frequent EMS transport for only one year). Characteristics of patients who were frequent users of EMS transport and those of all cases with EMS transport were examined. Results Of the total 205 patients and 1204 cases of frequent EMS transport, 85 (42%) patients and 755 (63%) cases were in the consecutive group. Patients in the consecutive group were more likely to have risky alcohol use, unemployed state, and medical aid type of payment for ED treatment than those in the non-consecutive group. More patients had previous experience of EMS transport to the study hospital ED in the consecutive group and the number of cases with alcohol ingestion was higher in the consecutive group. Elapsed time from EMS call to ED arrival was longer for the consecutive group. Conclusion Risky alcohol use, unemployed state, and previous experience of EMS transport were associated with consecutive and frequent use of EMS transport in frequent users of EMS transport.

Hierarchical dynamic estimation of fire service accessibility based on POI big data

Failure to obtain timely fire services will lead to thermal runaway phenomenon, which will seriously threaten the lives of people and property safety. In this study, a dynamic method was proposed to estimate fire service accessibility based on real-time traffic. To validate the method, a total of 110,055 POls extracted from online maps and existing 12 fire stations in Yiyang were used as fire service demand points and supply points. Travel times of fire trucks from supply points to demand points were calculated based on real-time traffic, and a total of 550,275 valid samples were obtained. The results showed that the ≥10 min fire service coverage rate in Yiyang is only 71.60 %. Based on the distribution area of demand points ≥10 min, the locations of three optimization solutions of new fire stations are proposed. By calculating the total average time (TAT) of the three optimization solutions of proposed new fire stations, it is concluded that TAT decreases by 743.99 s, 99.72 s, 92.59 s, respectively. From perspectives of safety and economy, the construction of the 10 fire stations of optimized solution I will effectively improve the regional fire service level.

Multiple Table Models Based on Queuing Theory for Firefighting Traffic Problems

With the development of global urbanization, urban planning has been a hot spot of most concern. Since the traditional urban fire station setting method has been gradually unable to meet the emergency needs of a city. In this paper, a series of methods are developed to achieve the best balance between economic expenditure and reliability. According to the heat maps about emergency calls in a city in recent years, different types of alarm phones have obvious regional distribution characteristics. Inspired by the Queuing Theory algorithm, we abstract this complex problem into a parallel multi-server waiting queuing model to find each average queue length of three kinds of alarm calls and success in converting the multiplicity problem into solving the vehicle number and location problems respectively. Based on this planning problem, new combinations with different numbers of vehicles can be gotten. Then based on the assignment model, the optimal deployment plan can also be different with different numbers and geographical locations of the three kinds of stations. Our method significantly improves the firefighting traffic problems and can be applied in the actual situation.

Analysis of Wildfire-Damaged Buildings Using Spatial Information: The Case of the 2023 Gangneung Wildfire

In Korea, several policies and previous studies have focused on forest fire prevention; however, research on the characteristics of building damage caused by wildfires is insufficient. This study investigated a large wildfire that occurred in Gangneung on April 11, 2023, and analyzed the characteristics of the damaged buildings. Furthermore, several discussion points related to building damage due to wildfires are presented through a comparison with previous research. First, because piecemeal measures have limitations in reducing damage to buildings, comprehensive and organic measures are needed, such as supplementing building regulations, managing the surrounding environment, installing damage-reduction facilities, and securing access to firefighting services. Second, although vulnerable infrastructure (fire stations, roads, etc.) must be expanded, additional research is needed focusing on actual cases. Third, because cooperation between various agencies and organizations such as the Korea Forest Service and the National Fire Agency is important in responding to wildfires, systematic improvements are required to make quick and accurate decisions.

Exploring Urban Service Location Suitability: Mapping Social Behavior Dynamics with Space Syntax Theory

Assessing urban service locations is a key issue within city planning, integral to promoting the well-being of citizens, and ensuring effective urban development. However, many current approaches emphasize spatial analysis focused solely on physical attributes, neglecting the equally vital social dimensions essential for enhancing inhabitants’ comfort and quality of life. When social factors are considered, they tend to operate at smaller scales. This paper addresses this gap by prioritizing integrating social factors alongside spatial analysis at the community level. By employing space syntax theory, this study investigates urban service suitability in Hajjah, a Palestinian urban community, presenting a novel approach in the literature. The research identifies good spots for essential governmental facilities like health clinics and fire stations using axial map analysis. It also suggests reallocation for some schools. Additionally, it shows ways to improve the placement of community amenities, finding ideal park locations but suboptimal mosque placements. Commercial services also exhibit areas for enhancement including gas stations and shops. The insights from this research can offer policymakers and planners insights to create more efficient, equitable, and accessible cities. The research approach incorporates social behavior dynamics into spatial analysis, promoting inclusive urban planning.

Evidence of increasing wildfire damage with decreasing property price in Southern California fires.

Across the Western United States, human development into the wildland urban interface (WUI) is contributing to increasing wildfire damage. Given that natural disasters often cause greater harm within socio-economically vulnerable groups, research is needed to explore the potential for disproportionate impacts associated with wildfire. Using Zillow Transaction and Assessment Database (ZTRAX), hereafter "Zillow", real estate data, we explored whether lower-priced structures were more likely to be damaged during the most destructive, recent wildfires in Southern California. Within fire perimeters occurring from 2000-2019, we matched property price data to burned and unburned structures. To be included in the final dataset, fire perimeters had to surround at least 25 burned and 25 unburned structures and have been sold at most seven years before the fire; five fires fit these criteria. We found evidence to support our hypothesis that lower-priced properties were more likely to be damaged, however, the likelihood of damage and the influence of property value significantly varied across individual fire perimeters. When considering fires individually, properties within two 2003 fires-the Cedar and Grand Prix-Old Fires-had statistically significantly decreasing burn damage with increasing property value. Occurring in 2007 and later, the other three fires (Witch-Poomacha, Thomas, and Woolsey) showed no significant relationship between price and damage. Consistent with other studies, topographic position, slope, elevation, and vegetation were also significantly associated with the likelihood of a structure being damaged during the wildfire. Driving time to the nearest fire station and previously identified fire hazard were also significant. Our results suggest that further studies on the extent and reason for disproportionate impacts of wildfire are needed. In the meantime, decision makers should consider allocating wildfire risk mitigation resources-such as fire-fighting and wildfire structural preparedness resources-to more socioeconomically vulnerable neighborhoods.

Solar Energy Powered Advanced Smart Streetlight For Remote Areas

This project is primarily designed for remote hilly areas, where smart streetlights equipped with fire detection sensors, vibration sensors, noise sensors, and an air quality monitoring module, provide critical safety and environmental monitoring. In the event of abnormal situations, the system instantly notifies government authorities, including police stations, fire stations, and the pollution control board, for swift responses. To ensure reliability in remote hilly regions, the system is powered by solar panels. This innovative solution enhances safety, security, and environmental vigilance in challenging terrains.

Evaluate the Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme regarding Basic Life Support among Fire and Rescue Service Personnel in a selected fire station

When sophisticated medical care is not available, individuals might receive a specific degree of pre-hospital care known as "Basic Life Support." understanding basic life support in an emergency can save lives. The statement of the problem is a study to evaluate the effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme regarding Basic Life Support among Fire and Rescue Service Personnel in a selected fire station.  The objectives of the study were;  To assess the existing knowledge regarding Basic Life Support among the Fire and Rescue Service Personnel.  To determine the Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme regarding Basic Life Support among Fire and Rescue Service Personnel.  To determine the association between knowledge regarding Basic Life Support with their selected demographic variables (Age, Educational Status, Designation, Working Experience, Previous Knowledge and Source of Previous Knowledge)  The conceptual framework adopted for the present study was based on Daniel Stuffle Beam's CIPP Model (1971). A Quasi-Experimental study was conducted in the Fire Station at Coimbatore among 60 Fire and Rescue Service Personnel. The samples were selected randomly by adopting the lottery method. The instrument consisted of structured self administered questionnaire to assess the knowledge regarding Basic Life Support. The content validity of the tool was 0.9 and reliability was 0.9 which was highly reliable. Structured Teaching Programme was carried out by Lecture cum discussion with demonstration by using a CPR manikin. After 7 days the same tool was used for post test. The results show that the’t’ value of knowledge was 24.75. It was significant at (p<0.001). Hence the provided Structured Teaching Programme was very effective and has made way for the Fire and Rescue Service Personnel to achieve their motto of "We Serve to Save".

Ensuring firefighter safety and resource preservation from contamination in demolition building fires

Research characteristics and define toxic substances that remain in emergency clothing after fires in abandoned and demolition buildings. As a basic component of the integrated rescue system, members of the Fire and Rescue Service may be primarily or secondarily exposed to the effects of dangerous substances that penetrate the body as part of intervention activities. Personal protective equipment (PPE) used by firefighters can be characterized as a potential source of hazardous exposure to toxic contaminants commonly found and released during fires. The research task was to detect these contaminants in individual samples based on gas chromatography (GC) and subsequently to determine the decontamination methods of firefighters and PPE after an intervention. Based on a real intervention in an abandoned and demolished building where there was a fire, firefighters from individual fire stations intervened, where, as stated in the research, they intervened in the mentioned protective equipment. The amount of dangerous substances was determined based on gas chromatography in the Control and Chemical Laboratory of the Ministry of the Interior in the village of Jasov. The stated procedure was used to determine the amount of residual hazardous substances on emergency clothing and the procedures for possible elimination of the hazard.

Fire Station Management System Based on Digital Twin

To streamline travel, alleviate traffic congestion, and enhance overall traffic safety, the Internet of Vehicles (IoV) technology has emerged. This not only simplifies the lives of modern individuals but also integrates with other technologies, fostering advancements in various fields. Notably, the integration of digital twin technology with IoV is widespread, enabling the visualization of road conditions for informed route decisions and optimization. This paper focuses on applying this capability to a fire truck management system, empowering swift route selection, optimal vehicle deployment, and efficient execution of rescue activities in the shortest time and at the lowest cost.

Exploring the adverse effect of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on wildland firefighters’ pulmonary function and DNA damage

Chiang Mai encounters severe pollution during the wildfire season. Wildland firefighters encounter various hazards while engaged in fire suppression operations, which encompass significant exposure to elevated concentrations of air pollutants resulting from combustion, especially particulate matter. The adverse effects of wildfire smoke on respiratory health are a significant concern. The objective of this study was to examine the potential adverse effects of PM2.5 exposure on the respiratory function and DNA damage of wildland firefighters. This prospective cohort study conducted in Chiang Mai from January to May 2022 planned to evaluate the health status of wildland firefighters during the pre-peak, peak, and post-peak ambient air pollution seasons. The measurement of PM2.5 was done at every forest fire station, as well as utilizing data from the Pollution Control Department. Participants received general health examinations, spirometry evaluations, and blood tests for DNA damage analysis. Pair t-tests and multiple regression models were used to examine the connection between pulmonary function parameters (FVC, FEV1) and PM2.5 concentration, with a significance level of P < 0.05. Thirty-three peak-season and twenty-one post-peak-season participants were enrolled. Four pre-peak-season wildland firefighters had FVC and FEV1 declines of > 15%. Multiple regression analysis showed a negative association between PM2.5 exposure and FVC% predicted (− 2.81%, 95% CI − 5.27 to − 0.34%, P = 0.027) and a marginally significant negative correlation with FVC (− 114.38 ml, 95% CI − 230.36 to 1.59 ml, P = 0.053). The remaining pulmonary measures showed a statistically insignificant decline. There were no significant changes in DNA damage detected. Wildland firefighters suffered a significant decline in pulmonary function associated with PM2.5 exposure. Spirometry is crucial for monitoring and promptly identifying respiratory issues that occur during wildfire seasons. Further research is recommended to explore DNA damage alterations and their potential association with PM2.5.

RISK ASSESSMENT OF SUBWAY STATION FIRE BY USING A BAYESIAN NETWORK-BASED SCENARIO EVOLUTION MODEL

Subway station fires frequently result in massive casualties, economic losses and even social panic due to the massive passenger flow, semiconfined space and limited conditions for escape and smoke emissions. The combination of different states of fire hazard factors increases the uncertainty and complexity of the evolution path of subway station fires and causes difficulty in assessing fire risk. Traditional methods cannot describe the development process of subway station fires, and thus, cannot assess fire risk under different fire scenarios. To realise scenario-based fire risk assessment, the elements that correspond to each scenario state during fire development in subway stations are identified in this study to explore the intrinsic driving force of fire evolution. Accordingly, a fire scenario evolution model of subway stations is constructed. Then, a Bayesian network is adopted to construct a scenario evolution probability calculation model for calculating the occurrence probability of each scenario state during subway station fire development and identifying critical scenario elements that promote fire evolution. Xi’an subway station system is used as a case to illustrate the application of Bayesian network-based scenario evolution model, providing a practical management tool for fire safety managers. The method adopted in this study enables managers to predict fire risk in each scenario and understand the evolution path of subway station fire, supporting the establishment of fire response strategies based on “scenario–response” planning.

Dynamics of OSU-35 Naval Weapon System Ammunition Belts

The paper analyzes the dynamics of an ammunition belt feeding the 35 mm KDA naval cannon - an integral component of the 35 mm Naval Weapon System (OSU-35). The study is concerned with an ammunition feeding mechanism designed and manufactured by Zakłady Mechaniczne “Tarnów” S.A. (Tarnów, Poland), and is part of the project entitled: 35 mm KDA automatic naval cannon with a ship-installed fire control system utilizing a naval version of the ZGS-158 Integrated Tracking Head with a fire control station. The results of the above-mentioned analysis have confirmed that the design solutions satisfy the assumptions defined for the development of the 35 mm naval cannon being part of the Polish OSU-35 weapon system.

건축물 화재안전에 관한 관련법상 연구

Every time a major fire incident occurs, such as the Seocheon Specialized Market fire incident in South Chungcheong Province on January 22, 2024, the fire safety management authorities, including the central government (Ministry of Public Administration and Security, National Fire Agency) and local governments (local governments, fire stations), have revised organizations, mechanisms, and laws and promised to prevent recurrence. However, they are unable to effectively manage fire safety due to overlapping duties between fire safety management departments, dual regulations in fire-related laws, deficiencies in on-site command systems, and the public's insensitivity to disaster safety. Protecting the lives, bodies, and property of citizens from various unexpected fires aligns with the objectives of the「Constitution」,「Basic Fire Fighting Act」,「Fire-related Laws」, and「Building- related Laws」. This paper aims to present the problems and improvement directions of the laws related to fire safety management in buildings, followed by personal opinions and methods for enhancing public fire safety awareness and conducting education.

A Method for Evaluating the Spatial Layout of Fire Stations in Chemical Industrial Parks

The development of chemical industrial parks has resulted in the accumulation of a significant amount of hazardous substances, thereby increasing the demand for enhanced firefighting security, which directly relates to fire stations. This article presents a method for the layout evaluation of fire stations within chemical industrial parks. A practical technique for conducting fire risk assessments of each point to be rescued (PTBR) is proposed. The PTBRs are categorized according to their levels of fire risk. The required rescue time for each PTBR is determined based on the fire risk assessment. The estimated rescue times from each PTBR to each fire station are evaluated based on the actual road network and the speed of the fire engines. The adequacy of the fire stations is assessed through comparing the required and estimated rescue times. The working process of this method is illustrated using an engineering instance. The evaluation results of this engineering instance indicate its feasibility. This method takes into account the impact of irregular road paths and the influence of PTBR fire risks on the layouts of fire stations, which results in a more objective evaluation.

A Study on Improvement to Increase Efficiency of U–Turn Opening on Charan Sanit Wong Road at Bang O Fire Station U–Turn

The U–Turn is a risky point where there are frequent road accidents. There are many factors leading to the problem of the U–turn such as the physical characteristics of the U–turn, location of U–turn median opening, insufficient sight distance, risk spot around the U–turn without traffic management and safety and factors caused by the driver. This paper presents the results of a study on improvement to increase efficiency of U–Turn Opening on Charan Sanit Wong Road at Bang O Fire Station U–Turn. By studying the improvement pattern of the U–turn from the past to the present and the pattern of improvement measure. Traffic microsimulation model was developed using VISSIM software and evaluated the traffic efficiency. The results were analyzed to determine the Time–To–Collision (TTC) using the SSAM program to assess traffic safety from the number of conflict points. The results showed the pattern of improvement measure with improved physical characteristics by increasing the length of the storage lane and restricted U–Turn for motorcycle measure could increase traffic efficiency. The average travel time was reduced by 1% and 10% and reduced the average delay by 12% and 31% in the directions to Rama VII and Pinklao, respectively. The safety analysis results showed the pattern of improvement measure which has a Time–To–Collision (TTC) value of 0.88 seconds and has the least number of conflicts point compared to previous improvement pattern.

A study on GIS-based spatial analysis of emergency response for disaster management: Focusing on Seoul

This study aims to analyze the operation of fire emergency dispatch, understand the impact of golden time on fire emergency dispatch, and identify factors and improvement measures for effective fire emergency dispatch with in prime time. According to the results of the study, rescue dispatch activities varies depending on the nature of the incident. The summer season had a higher number of calls than other seasons, and Saturday was the day of the week with the highest number of calls (i.e., Spring: 13,189, Summer: 15,652, Fall: 13,128, Winter: 14,545). When analyzing the spatial distribution of rescue incidents, it is found that rescue incidents were concentrated in some areas. In particular, the arrival time tended to be relatively long in areas south of the Han River and in areas where some fire stations or safety centers were not deployed. Results showed that rescue incidents dispatched by the stations other than neighboring stations were also concentrated in certain points. Based on these findings, the following policy implications can be drawn: first, the location of fire stations or safety centers should be adjusted; second, dispatch personnel and equipment should be strengthened; third, interagency cooperation should be strengthened; and fourth, prevention and education programs should be strengthened. Implementing these policy recommendations will improve fire emergency services' efficiency and response capabilities and minimize the occurrence and damage of life-saving events.

SPECTRUM OCCUPANCY ANALYSIS OF ACTIVE FM BAND IN OSOGBO METROPOLIS

An investigation was conducted to ascertain the FM band (88-108) MHz spectrum occupancy measurement within Osogbo, Nigeria over a period of 48 hours. The energy detection method was used to analyze the spectrum data, and a threshold of 5 dB/Hz above the noise level was put in place. The Fountain University Osogbo campus, the Atelewo Fire Station, the Uniosun Osogbo campus, and the National Control Centre Osogbo were the four venues for the campaign measurement of the spectrum occupancy. The fieldwork analysis led to the deduction that the Uniosun campus experienced a maximum duty cycle of 99.48% spectrum occupancy at band 9 of frequency 91.625 MHz and band 35 of frequency (104.375-104.5) MHz. Of the four locations, the Uniosun campus had the highest average duty cycle of 89.81% spectrum occupancy and the highest power spectral density of -67.50 dB/Hz. The maximum average power spectral density of -87.89 dB/Hz is recorded at the National Control Center. The Uniosun campus had the highest number of active channels, with 574 channels located at band 9 of frequency channel 91.625 MHz and band 35 of frequency channels (104.375-104.625) MHz. The university campus also had the highest average number of active channels, with 518 channels.