Using AHP techniques in GIS for fire station site selection: A case study of Semnan

To avoid wasting money and to ensure the efficiency of the entire system of a city are the two main objectives of site selection for urban public services. One of the important public services in cities is fire rescue services. Commonly, the quality and performance of these services are influenced by the position and distribution of fire stations and traffic conditions. So, selecting a suitable location for new fire stations or transferring an existing station is necessary for improving quality and performance. It should be performed in a systematic framework.
Now, there are only four active fire stations in Semnan. The number of stations, with regard to the population and the area of the city and the attention to be paid to standards, is not enough. So, we need new stations according to site selection parameters. In this study, to determine appropriate locations for fire stations within the city, we define a conceptual model, specify criteria and prepare necessary information for site selection. Then, we use AHP, a multi-criteria decision making model, and geographic information systems to find new locations for fire stations. The results show that AHP is suitable for optimum site selection of fire stations. This model can be used for other emergency site selections. Also, using this model shows that, in Semnan, we need four new fire stations in suitable locations.