[Application of AHP Model in site selection of firefighting centers by using Geographical Information Systems: [Case Study: Jahrom City]]

ABSTRACT

Determining the appropriate locations for establishment of fire fighting stations are one of the important tasks and objectives of urban managers which should be prepared before implementation in a systematic framework. The main purpose of the site selection is to avoid wasting costs and also to ensure optimal performance of stations in contrast to urban systems. Quick and timely access to fire stations is essential for societies especially in urban ones. In this descriptive-analytical study, required information is collected by using a1/2000 land use map, field observation, and also studying the related projects to Jahrom city which is applied as the model used in the weighting of criteria in paired comparisons format by using GIS software, Analysis Hierarchy Process [AHP] and based on experts' opinions. Data processing and analysis was performed in accordance with the criteria and standards for urban planning. At the end, the most appropriate locations are determined to establish centers. Buffering method is used to evaluate the fire fighting stations; however, eastern and western parts of Jahrom city didn't cover of fire stations with 2000 and 1500m function of radius. Several steps must be taken for selecting a fire station site by using GIS such as 1] To identify the used data; 2] To identify influencing factors for selecting a fire station site; 3] To enter influential factors in GIS; 4] To evaluate layers of information; 5] To overlap layers of criteria considering the importance of criteria; 6] To enter the final weight in GIS and composition of information layers; 7] To compare the results of site selection pattern with the realities. It is necessary to arrange new firefighting centre for Jahrom City due to population growth in the future; urban development; increased migration from rural areas to cities and also lack of facilities and fire stations in response to the needs. The results show that there was used of different information layers and effective geographical information system [GIS] especially for selecting a fire station site and also assessment of status in Jahrom city. Finally, two locations were detected suitable for establishment of new fire station after comparison between the results of site selection pattern with the actual location of the study area considering all the parameters affecting the process of site selection.