Response Time Analyses

Response Times are critical metrics that directly impact emergency services’ effectiveness.  Response times quantify how quickly a fire department company can reach incident locations.  Understanding response times is paramount in optimizing emergency service operations while gaining insights into the efficiency of fire station configurations and the amount of time it takes a first due company (first to arrive) and a second due company (second to arrive) to reach the scene.   

The Fire Station Study Committee (FSSC) engaged with experts from  Criterion Associates and the International Association of Fire Fighters to perform response time analyses.  The following Response Time Analyses informed the Committee’s evaluation of alternatives and formulation of its final recommendations.   

Three- Station Scenario Analysis Summary Based on Criterion Data
This document summarizes the relevant response time maps from Criterion Associates for  three-station configuration.  It explains the FSSC’s conclusion that a three-station configuration is unacceptable because the combination of first- and second- due response times are inadequate.   

Four- and Five- Station Scenario Analysis Summary Based on Criterion Data
This document summarizes the relevant response time maps from Criterion Associates for four- and five- station configurations.  It explains the FSSC’s conclusion that a five-station configuration is optimal from a response time standpoint.  A four-station configuration eliminating Station 4 at 114 Riverneck Road would provide advantages in terms of staffing per station and per apparatus but would require a sacrifice in response times to 20% of the calls in the East Chelmsford district.   All other four-station configurations had unacceptable response time gradients.  

International Association of Fire Fighters GIS Response Times Study
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Headquarters was engaged by the Chelmsford Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 1839. The IAFF was asked to provide information for decision makers regarding proposals for Chelmsford Fire Department (CFD) fire station locations and staffing needs. This report used geographic information systems (GIS) mapping software, an examination of historical computer-aided dispatch (CAD) data, and a comprehensive risk assessment to analyze the impacts of the locations and staffing model. Performance and response capabilities were assessed based on industry standards contained in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA ® ) Standard 1500: Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health and NFPA 1710: Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments. The report can be accessed at this link: https://gis.iaff.org/portal/apps/storymaps/stories/41e5e48ae95648ddbacd1da077db1e4c;

Criterion Analysis Report 1 dated September 26, 2022 
This document is the first report Criterion provided to the FSSC.  The document summarizes National Fire Protection Association metrics for Fire and Medical emergencies along with providing analyses of call distributions, population, and response times.   The FSSC discovered discrepancies with respect to assumptions and results for the threestation modeling, which were also inconsistent with results previously provided to the Town in a Criterion Associates 2019 report.  

Criterion Analysis Report 2 dated October 18, 2022 
Criterion provided a second report to the FSSC with data for five-, four-, and three- station models.  The FSSC members challenged the assumptions in this report in that the analyses and optimizations were based on the Town’s historical call data in the last five years and factored only the top 100 calls in the analysis.  The analyses did not account for what was needed to provide coverage across the entire Town. 

Criterion Supplemental Maps  
This document contains supplemental response time maps emailed from Criterion Associates to the Fire Department Chief for the FSSC’s use.  These maps were provided in response to questions and requests from the FSSC following receipt of the Criterion reports dated September 26, 2022, and October 18, 2022.