Optimal locating of fire stations in intra-city traffic networks for helping people in the case of earthquake

In urban areas, harmful influences of natural disasters include a combination of physical destructions and disruption in functions of urban elements. Destruction of structures and residential buildings, route networks and access points like bridges and communication roads and basic installations like water reservoirs, power plants, telephone lines, electricity, water pumps, gas, etc. are among these physical destructions and disruptions. Transportation network is the most important element in helping people and saving their lives after earthquakes. Optimal functioning of transportation network can decrease direct and indirect influences of crisis. This shows the importance of time and decreasing delay time in helping victims. Optimizing traffic allocation and finding the best place for fire stations in Dehdasht city are among goals and objectives of this study. It analyzes urban transportation network using GIS. A map is produced to show optimal places for building fire stations in Dehdasht city in regard to the situation of the present stations and also considering limitations and problems, weak and strong points.