Abstract

Developing A Decision Support System For Emergency Management Services, Alaska
Track: Disaster and Emergency Management
Authors: Kate Schaefer

Every year the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB), in interior Alaska, responds to common emergencies, as well as disasters of varying types. Six GIS based network analysis models based on FNSB data were evaluated to determine the response times of a fire engine from the fire station to a specific destination in the Borough. Each model was tested against simulated call times verify model accuracy. Results showed that a network analysis that accounted for a 10 second penalty for left turns, 5 seconds for right turns, and 2 seconds for straight through an intersection gave the best results (R = 0.958). Time penalties for slope and different turn penalties did not work as well. This study also divided FNSB into evacuation zones and a mapbook was created.