Improving fire station turn-out-time using discrete-event simulation

摘要

Fire station turn-out-time is vitally important to firefighters' ability to provide lifesaving services. Turn-out-time consists of two phases: first, dispatch by a controller in a 911 call center; second, turn-out, in which controllers notify the responders, and responders prepare for the emergency by donning their personal protective equipment and boarding their emergency vehicle. The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) suggests a two-minute turn-out-time, yet fire stations do not always meet this goal due to several factors. This case study considered configuration, procedural, environmental, and behavioral factors at a single fire station using discrete-event simulation with the aim to decrease turn-out-time. Implementing a procedural and behavioral change allowing phase two to commence before phase one was completed decreasing the simulated turn-out-time by 24.3%. This change increases the ability for the case study fire station to provide lifesaving services and meet the NFPA goal.