METHODS FOR ALLOCATING URBAN EMERGENCY UNITS

• NCJ Number: 7136
• Author(s): J M CHAIKEN; R C LARSON
• Date Published: 1971
• Length: 55 pages
• Grant Number(s): H 1056
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Housing and Urban Development
• Corporate Author: New York City-Rand Institute
• Sale Source: National Technical Information Service
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

DISCUSSION OF METHODS FOR IMPROVING THE ALLOCATION OF EMERGENCY SERVICE VEHICLES.

Abstract

MANY MUNICIPALITIES EXPERIENCE INCREASING DIFFICULTY IN DETERMINING THE MOST EFFECTIVE DEPLOYMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICE VEHICLES SUCH AS POLICE PATROL CARS AND FIRE ENGINES. THIS REPORT REVIEWS CURRENT RESEARCH ON THE SUBJECT AND DESCRIBES VARIOUS QUANTITATIVE ANALYTICAL MODELS THAT PROMISE SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS WHEN ADAPTED TO LOCAL ALLOCATION PRACTICES. THE WORK COVERS THE FOLLOWING - DETERMINATION OF THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES TO HAVE ON DUTY IN VARIOUS GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS AT DIFFERENT TIMES, SELECTION OF INDIVIDUAL UNITS TO RESPOND TO PARTICULAR INCIDENTS, ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PATROL AREAS FOR UNITS ON DUTY, AND DETERMINATION OF HOW AND WHEN UNITS SHOULD BE REDEPLOYED IF MANY UNITS ARE TEMPORARILY BUSY. THE EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MODELS PRESENTED WILL REQUIRE THE COLLECTION OF MORE AND DIFFERENT KINDS OF DATA THAN ARE COMMONLY USED. THIS WORK WILL BE OF CONSIDERABLE ASSISTANCE TO AGENCY ADMINISTRATORS WHO SEEK TO - REDUCE THE TIME DELAY BETWEEN A CALL FOR EMERGENCY HELP AND THE ARRIVAL OF SUCH AID, REDUCE THE WORKLOAD DISPARITY AMONG EMERGENCY UNITS, AND IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF POLICE PREVENTIVE PATROLS. (SNI ABSTRACT)