Protecting People Over Things: Integrating Social Vulnerability into Fire Department Risk Assessments
Abstract
With finite resources, fire departments strategically allocate their assets to protect lives and property. This allocation encompasses proactive and reactive measures based on risk assessments which favor long-term evaluations. This also means the unique vulnerabilities of residents are often neglected. This thesis reviews risk assessment processes, asking if modern methods equitably consider residents' vulnerabilities. The research investigates use of social vulnerability indexes in risk assessments, seeking more equitable fire service responses. A literature review, conceptual model development, and data examination of three Prince William County, Virginia census tracts provides insight into each community's risk. Using this examination, the author created a model for envisioning risk elements and a tool for risk analysis. Findings reveal the insufficiency of indexes alone for shaping resource deployment; as indexes flag risks, but fall short of explaining the "why" behind the results. Nuanced, area-specific risk elements emerged, which are capable of steering policy, as well as distinctly forming resource assignments, which an index alone could not achieve. Contemporary techniques enlighten equal response distribution yet falter at delivering an equitable response system. The analysis process shows a possible way to fill this void by considering the residents' distinctive vulnerabilities and fostering a fire service that recognizes each community's unique vulnerabilities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1225396
Entities
People
- Thomas L. Labelle
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School