- Author
-
Upson, R.
|
Notarianni, K. A.
- Title
- Quantitative Evaluation of Fire and EMS Mobilization Times.
- Coporate
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA
- Report
-
Final Report,
May 2010,
36 p.
- Keywords
-
evaluation
|
emergencies
|
fire fighters
|
first responders
|
medical services
|
mobilization time
|
questionnaires
|
surveys
|
data analysis
|
time
|
fire departments
|
turnout time
|
NFPA 1221
|
NAPA 1720
|
NFPA 450
|
NFPA 1710
|
fire alarm systems
|
human performance
|
statistical analysis
- Identifiers
- emergency response agencies; alarm handling time and turnout time; North American fire service organizations; study question and research methods; recruiting participants; data collection; fire versus EMS response; daytime versus nighttime response; fire fighter crew proficiency in baseline turnout exercise; effects of station layout on turnout response
- Abstract
- Comprehensive data on fire emergency and EMS call processing and turnout time is largely absent from the published literature. Operational benchmarks for alarm handling time and turnout time specified in the NFPA peer consensus standards 1221 and 1710, respectively, would be greatly enhanced with strong empirical validation. This study presents a clear statistical picture of actual recorded alarm handling times and turnout times for fire and EMS emergencies across a group of large fire departments. Additionally, the study identifies some significant factors that affect variation in alarm handling times and turnout times in those departments. These results provide an objective basis for further development of the relevant codes and standards as well as contributing critical information for fire chiefs and other government decision makers tasked with optimum deployment of emergency response facilities (ERFs) and emergency response units (ERUs). FOREWORD: The ability of emergency response agencies to get personnel and equipment to the scene of an emergency in a timely manner is critical. This involves effective alarm handling time and turnout time. However, comprehensive data on emergency first responder alarm handling and turnout time is largely absent from the published literature. Alarm handling time and turnout time are specific measurable segments of the overall mobilization time of emergency response units (along with initiation time and travel time). This study focuses on mobilization times involving alarm handling and turnout, i.e., the measurable time interval from call receipt at a public safety answering point until the first assigned emergency response unit is physically en route to the emergency. This study provides a quantitative evaluation of fire emergency and EMS mobilization times, and identifies key factors affecting their performance. It provides a statistical analysis of actual fire emergency and EMS alarm handling and turnout times based on data collected across a diverse representative population of North American fire service organizations. The results provide measured data for validation and refinement of requirements provided by nationally recognized standards, and additionally indicates the most significant and variable factors (e.g., difference in daytime and nighttime events).