Using G.I.S as a tool to help combat fire-outbreak within Kumasi Metropolis-Ghana.

Keywords: Fire outbreak, Fire hydrants, ArcGIS, Garmin handheld G.P.S, Fire-fighters, Digitize, Response time.
Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

In Kumasi metropolis, periodic fire outbreaks particularly in the central business district (CBD) lead to loss of lives and property damage, and this poses challenges to firefighters and citizens. In 2007, thousands of people were affected by a fire explosion in Kumasi, and the cost of damage was ~ $7 million. The objective of this study is to estimate travel time from fire hydrants, and fire stations to fire-prone locations in the metropolis.
Geographic coordinates of fire stations and hydrants were recorded using Garmin handheld G.P.S. We scanned and digitized the road network of the Kumasi metropolis using ArcGIS 9.0, simulated 15 locations from historically fire-prone regions, and developed a road network model to estimate travel time from the location of the fire stations and hydrants to the simulated locations.
The results indicate the locations of the fire stations and hydrants were unevenly distributed across the metropolis, and distances from most fire hydrants to the 3 fire stations were >5 km. The simulation results from the road network analysis showed a long response time to the fire-prone regions and the fire hydrants. We found the major cause of fire outbreaks to be human negligence.
The research work shows the ability of fire simulation and G.I.S maps as an important technique that is used to address fire outbreaks in the metropolis. Our methodology is portable to other areas interested in the development of a digital system with G.I.S of fire stations, fire hydrants, and road networks to help combat fire outbreaks.