Examining the Road Networks and Locations of Firefighting Teams by Using GIS Techniques

Abstract

For effective response to forest fires, the period of time necessary for the firefighting team to reach the fire site should not exceed the critical response time, where the fire is more likely to be taken under control. For this reason, the optimum route that allows the team to reach the fire site by a fire truck within the shortest time possible should be determined. Computer-aided methods such as the road network analysis are widely used in the solution of such transportation problems that require the shortest path analysis. In this study, the locations of the existing road networks and firefighting team were examined using GIS techniques in order to determine the optimum route that will provide the promptest access to the fire site. The study was carried out in the Adana Forest Enterprise Directorate, where first degree fire-sensitive forests are located. There are three firefighting teams located in the boundaries of the study area. The sites in the study area where previously occurred forest fires (15), which burned 1 ha or more forest areas, were evaluated as potential fire sites. The analysis results showed that 64,12% of the forest areas in the study area was reached by the firefighting teams within 20 minutes, which is the critical response time for first degree fire sensitive forests. It was found that the teams could reach 12 potential fire sites within the critical response time. This result revealed the necessity to establish new firefighting teams in the study area. In addition, it is thought that improving the road network density in the study area by building new roads or increasing the truck travel speed by improving the conditions of existing roads will help to solve the problem.