The Business of Government – Resource Allocations


Fire protection services were


first formulated in the 1700’s. Fire stations had to be close to structures because pumpers were


pulled by firemen and later horses. Either way time and distance had to be short and close. Gradually, fire stations were placed at greater distances because equipment kept improving. Today’s modern fire units rely on technology, fire prevention and sophisticated GPS, communications and dispatch services to put most homes within minutes of being served. Today modern fire systems rely on sophisticated management


software. Data collected on fire calls, incidents, false alarms and more, allow management to analyze information which has led to critical decisions on equipment requirements, station location and manpower needs. The response time goals to reach the point of report


expressed in a percentage of incidents covered in minutes, for example; ■ to reach 90% of calls in 4 minutes


■ to reach 95% of calls in 5 minutes ■ to reach 98% of calls in 6 minutes Many factors affect the response time including population


concentrations, traffic impediments, and distance from fire station.


In 2003/2004, the fire department conducted a Fire


Station Location and Resource Allocation (FSL&RA) study which considered trends based on historical call volumes and response time benchmark as well as other factors. This analysis led to the decision to locate current station 3 in south Cedar Falls. However, the following data shows that adjustments must be made for the safety of all City residents.


Response time Station #3


2003 2010


Overall Response Time


2003 2010


5:46 6:49 50.90% 34.80%


(4 minutes or less response time percentages 2003 compared to 2010)


Because this data shows that improvements must be made in response to calls, a re-examination of resource assignment has been completed. The current location and present staffing of 3 stations is as follows:


■ Station 1 ■ Station 2 ■ Station 3


1718 Main Street


722 W. Lone Tree Road 106 Blue Bell Road


The significant decline in service demand at Station #2,


Lone Tree Road coupled with the incident volume in South Cedar Falls dictates a realignment of 24 hour staffing.


Allocation of Resources Chart (2006 - 2010) is


Station 2 Station 1


Station 3 Station 2 Station 1


If Staffed Based on research and analysis, the staffing of station


#3 will to be upgraded to 24 hour coverage. Station #2 will be scheduled with reduced staffing in direct correlation to demand. In the future, the department will conduct a new FSA&RA study to confirm any new station locations. This new study will examine issues ranging from risk factors to boundary issues and transportation routes to service demands. The business of Public Safety comes down to balancing the


resources based upon future probability of incidents based on historical data. An updated Location/Resource study assures the best ways to protect all of the citizens by matching the workforce to the workload based on goals, trends, and need. As every municipality struggles to live within its means,


Cedar Falls is relying on data and proven analysis to reach decisions that allow government to do more with less. The City slogan: Our Citizens are Our Business continues to bear fruit.


8,618 887


If Station 3 was staffed during this time the distribution of incidents would have been as described below.


5,644 887 2,974


www.CedarFalls.com Winter 2012 | 3


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