Analyzing the spatial distribution of fire stations in Tabriz city with passive defense approach

Cities are required to meet the needs of their citizens. In the way of encountering the needs of damage, natural and unnatural damage in the city environment makes this process more complicated and on the other hand it can show. The issue of passive defense in such cases where the saving of human lives is a key factor, provides the conditions for organizing the city and resolving the issues. Therefore, every fire station must be able to send its rescue forces to the scene of the incident within 5 minutes from the time the fire is detected until it is contained. Therefore, the correct distribution of fire stations in the city is one of the essential and key issues in advanced cities. In this regard, the present research has investigated the spatial distribution of fire stations in Tabriz city in critical conditions. In other words, the aim of this article is to analyze the optimal distribution of fire stations in Tabriz city with the passive defense approach.

According to the purpose of the research, the descriptive-analytical research method and the use of library studies have been used to prepare the questionnaire. In this research, Delphi technique as well as Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) method and network analysis have been used to evaluate the importance of information layers. The effective layers in locating suitable areas for firefighting centers have been combined and overlapped. In this regard, proximity to compatible uses, distance from incompatible uses, population density, access, land price and functional radius of fire stations have been considered in the context of geographic information system. The criteria for locating fire stations have been selected by studying the literature, and after checking the effective criteria, its application has been evaluated in a case study.

The population factor should be considered as one of the important components in the construction of fire stations. Therefore, the areas with high population density are considered to be suitable areas for building fire stations. On the other hand, factors such as proximity to main roads, land price, coverage radius of existing fire stations, proximity to residential, commercial, medium and small sports areas, proximity to gas stations and distance from passenger terminal, religious centers, health care centers and big sport complexes are among the important factors in locating and building fire stations. According to the network analysis, the 5-minute time coverage of existing fire stations in Tabriz city is 55%, and therefore, the lack of this essential use in the city can pointed out.

Based on the results of the analysis, three priorities and necessities were identified and introduced according to the existing conditions in order to build new fire station locations. Thus, the northern and northwestern parts of Tabriz city were evaluated as suitable parts, the central parts of the city relatively unsuitable and the southeastern parts of Tabriz unsuitable for building fire stations.