Developing Optimal Firefight Station Using Geospatial Techniques: A Case Study of Hosanna Town

Proper management of fire risks is essential for protecting communities, and determining the best sites for firefighting facilities is a fundamental part of this strategy. Geospatial technology provides strong decision support for pinpointing these ideal locations. However, the use of geospatial technology for planning fire locations has not been widely investigated in Ethiopia. This research aims to create an effective strategy for fire location selection in Hosanna Town by utilizing advanced geospatial methods. This study used ALOS DEM, demographic data, and comprehensive field assessments to determine the key elements that impact the selection of fire locations. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to give weights to these elements, which consist of slope, drainage density, population density, distance to service areas, and distance to existing fire stations. By applying the AHP method, thematic maps for each of these factors were created, which were subsequently merged through a weight overlay technique to identify the most suitable sites for new fire stations. At present, the current fire facilities cater solely to a single kebele, revealing a noteworthy gap in coverage. To remedy this deficiency, the study advises the creation of nine additional fire stations in line with literature and international benchmarks. Ultimately, the use of geospatial tools in planning fire locations has shown to be very effective. The research emphasizes the importance of integrating these technologies for enhanced site selection and infrastructure development, advocating for their incorporation into future fire risk management plans