As our communities evolve, fire departments nationwide face increasing challenges in delivering an efficient and timely emergency service model. Fire department leadership must constantly reassess their response models to meet the community’s changing needs. Part of this check-and-balance system often ensures new fire stations are strategically located within the response boundaries to maximize service delivery. Even if new fire stations are not included in the plan, frequently monitoring the response performance and delivery model is equally essential.
Too often, fire station locations have been selected based on subjective opinions or convenient opportunities, such as a fire chief or board member asserting, “This seems like a great place for a fire station,” or the availability of a donated piece of land. While these decisions may appear logical at first glance, they often overlook critical factors such as population density, current and projected call volumes, and geographical proximity to high-risk areas.
Any subjective approach can fail to address the unique challenges of community growth and evolving stakeholder expectations. This is where Geographic Information System (GIS) technology becomes invaluable. By integrating GIS analysis with an external consultative perspective, fire department leadership can eliminate emotional bias from the decision-making process and embrace a data-driven approach.
GIS provides actionable insights to evaluate potential fire station sites, ensuring that new station locations(s) are strategically positioned to meet current and future service demands effectively. Implementing this data-driven methodology enables fire departments to make well-informed, objective decisions that enhance community safety and operational efficiency.
The Case for GIS in Fire Station Planning
Before putting a shovel in the ground or initiating building programming, fire departments should prioritize conducting a GIS study to evaluate potential sites. Even if the department plans to replace an existing fire station in its current location, confirming that it meets present and future service demands is essential. Conducting a GIS station location analysis offers a firm plan for analyzing complex data sets, such as population trends, traffic patterns, risk assessments, and future community development. The software can provide variable placement models for comparing and contrasting available options. This data-driven approach ensures the new station is strategically positioned to optimize response times, resource allocation, and community safety for years.
GIS is a powerful tool that department leadership teams can implement to gain critical insights to guide the placement of new fire station(s). This technology allows agencies to visualize response zones, mapping out service areas to determine whether a proposed location provides adequate coverage to high-priority zones or high-call volume areas. It also facilitates the analysis of current and projected population data and community development, ensuring the station can accommodate future demand. Additionally, GIS helps optimize resource allocation by evaluating how well the new location integrates with existing stations, avoiding overlapping coverage or service gaps.
Another powerful feature of GIS is the ability to identify alternative response scenarios, testing various potential station location models to confirm which potential site(s) maximizes response coverage. For instance, a GIS study might reveal that a seemingly ideal site is compromised by service gaps, overlapping response zones, traffic congestion, natural barriers, or insufficient proximity to high-risk areas. By uncovering these potential issues, GIS can also identify alternative locations that provide better access and broader service coverage, ensuring a more effective and strategic placement of resources.
Avoiding Costly Mistakes
Choosing the wrong fire station location can have long-term consequences, both operationally and financially. Building a fire station is a significant investment, and correcting a poorly chosen location after construction can be prohibitively expensive. Beyond financial considerations, a suboptimal location can compromise public safety, as response times may increase or critical areas may remain underserved.
A GIS-driven approach mitigates these risks by providing evidence-based insights early in the planning process. Departments can confidently select locations that meet current needs and accommodate future growth and evolving community dynamics.
A Proactive Approach to Fire Station Planning
The decision to invest in a GIS study might seem like an additional step in an already complex process, but it is a proactive measure that pays dividends. By conducting a thorough analysis before building programming begins, fire departments can avoid costly missteps, maximize the value of their investment, and enhance community safety.
In a world where every second counts, the placement of a fire station can mean the difference between life and death. By asking, “Are we missing the mark?” and embracing GIS technology, fire departments can ensure they are making informed, strategic decisions that serve their communities today and in the future.
Let’s ensure the shovel hits the ground in the right place—the first time.
Disclaimer
Dave Slivinski, a Managing Partner at Advanced Selections LLC, shares his personal views and opinions in this article. The information presented is drawn from his personal and professional experience and research and is intended solely for informational purposes. While diligent efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information, neither the author nor Advanced Selections LLC makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the information contained in this article. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at your own risk.