Track: Decision Sciences

Abstract

This paper presents a case study conducted for 47 Fire Stations that involves determining manning requirement for Fire Fighters; and provide a model whereby Fire Department could use to adjust existing or determine new Fire Station manning requirements. The model uses a recursive calculation process which can be broken down to 3-stages. In first stage, initial crew size per fire apparatus was determined using a complexity index that captures the fire station profile from its nearest support, type of coverage, and its risk classification. In second stage, the number of fire apparatus for initial effective response was determined by ensuring each fire station can cover 90% of their incidents on their own with a supplemental support from nearby fire stations and in cases where a fire station is remote, the number of fire apparatus was adjusted to ensure those stations can provide effective response.  In third stage, the manpower requirements per shift were determined using the results from the two stages along with incorporating applicable international and local standards. Then, manning requirements in stage 3 were used to build a business planning model to perform scenario planning for changes in existing fire station profile or addition of new fire stations.