Locating Fire Stations using Deterministic and Fuzzy Multiple Criteria Decision Making Methods and GIS Information: A Case Study of Isfahan City

This paper aims to identify the optimal locations for new fire stations in Isfahan city using multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods and geographic information system (GIS) data. AHP, fuzzy AHP, and TOPSIS methods are used to identify potential locations for new fire stations based on decision criteria such as population density, proximity to main roads, distance from existing fire stations, density of hazardous materials, radius of the fire brigade, traffic network, land use, age of buildings, and potential for danger. The candidate locations for new fire stations are ranked according to these criteria, and the results are validated by the Statistics and Strategic Planning Unit of the Isfahan Central Fire Department. The fuzzy AHP results indicate that districts 8, 9, and 4 have the highest priority for new fire stations, respectively. Sensitivity analysis of the criteria weights reveals that district 8 has the highest priority, while districts 12 and 15 have the lowest. This study also provides managerial insights, including the need to modify municipal building regulations and relocate dangerous sites to improve fire safety in Isfahan city. The proposed approach provides a useful tool for decision-makers to identify optimal locations for new fire stations and improve fire safety in urban areas.