Fire Company Relocation and the Future of Applied Operations Research

Abstract

The relocation algorithm is a simple, but sophisticated, four-step procedure, which includes the sequential solution of three integer programs (only one of which is solved using an optimization algorithm). The algorithm was implemented in Brooklyn as part of New York City's computerized Management Information and Control System in 1977. By 1980 the system (including the relocation algorithm) was implemented citywide. That is where the algorithm's use stood until 1986. In March of that year I received a letter from a fire protection engineer working for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. As an extracurricular activity, he was developing microcomputer-based software for the fire service. RAND gave its approval (the programs were in the public domain). The models were reprogrammed; menus, color graphics, and geographic displays were added. The new programs will be introduced at the National Fire Protection Association's National Convention in May 1988. (sdw)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA216643

Entities

People

  • Warren E. Walker

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Control Systems
  • Corporations
  • Decision Support Systems
  • Education
  • Fire Fighting
  • Fire Protection
  • Fires
  • Mathematical Models
  • Models
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Operations Research
  • Personal Computers
  • Queueing Theory
  • Relocation
  • Systems Analysis

Readers

  • Database Systems and Applications
  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Emergency Management and Homeland Security.