| Abstract: | The model presented in this paper is developed for an integrated emergency system in which ambulance and fire service deployment are simultaneously considered. The model extends and blends the Maximal Covering Location Problem (MCLP) for ambulance siting and the Facility Location-Equipment Emplacement Technique (FLEET) for fire service placement. The objective of the new formulation is to maximize and trade-off both ambulance and fire coverage subject to constraints on the total number of vehicles and stations of both types that can be sited. We introduce a new concept in integrated coverage that permits free-standing ambulance stations to be sited in addition to fire stations. Typically, ambulances are located at fire stations and, sometimes, hospitals; that is, eligible sites are driven by prior choices that did not include consideration of ambulance service. Our results, based on three sample problems, suggest that, for a given budget level for facility construction, it may be possible for ambulance coverage to be increased with little or no loss in fire coverage. This condition pertains if ambulance stations are freed of the requirement to be sited only at fire stations. |
