Optimization of fire service stations in Minna metropolis using Maximum Covering Location Model (MCLM)

Abstract

The study is aimed at determining the optimal locations for the present geographical location of fire stations service in Minna Metropolis considering the distance and benefits of the users to the facility or if there is needs for an additional fire stations service to be added using Maximum Covering Location Model (MCLM). The existing fire stations service in the study area were three (3) which served as facilities (Supply) while 2012 and 2014 number of fire incidences and the population were used as the centroid points for the wards and also utilized as demand points which are twenty-five (25) in the study area. The impedance time was set to be 5-minutes and 2000 meter radius was used as a distance factor. After the assessment of the coverage of the existing fire stations service using (MCLM), It was discovered that two wards were uncovered (based on the imposed time constraint) while nineteen (19) wards were uncovered based on the distance factor. Thus, the three fire stations service could not guarantee total coverage in the study area. Therefore, recommendations was made for the location of five (5) new fires stands to serve the uncovered wards in the study areas in case of emergency.