A study on GIS-based spatial analysis of emergency response for disaster management: Focusing on Seoul

This study aims to analyze the operation of fire emergency dispatch, understand the impact of golden time on fire emergency dispatch, and identify factors and improvement measures for effective fire emergency dispatch with in prime time. According to the results of the study, rescue dispatch activities varies depending on the nature of the incident. The summer season had a higher number of calls than other seasons, and Saturday was the day of the week with the highest number of calls (i.e., Spring: 13,189, Summer: 15,652, Fall: 13,128, Winter: 14,545). When analyzing the spatial distribution of rescue incidents, it is found that rescue incidents were concentrated in some areas. In particular, the arrival time tended to be relatively long in areas south of the Han River and in areas where some fire stations or safety centers were not deployed. Results showed that rescue incidents dispatched by the stations other than neighboring stations were also concentrated in certain points. Based on these findings, the following policy implications can be drawn: first, the location of fire stations or safety centers should be adjusted; second, dispatch personnel and equipment should be strengthened; third, interagency cooperation should be strengthened; and fourth, prevention and education programs should be strengthened. Implementing these policy recommendations will improve fire emergency services' efficiency and response capabilities and minimize the occurrence and damage of life-saving events.