Key drivers affecting the performance of fire stations after environmental hazards, with emphasis on earthquakes: A case study of Urmia city

Document Type : Original Research Articles

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

2 Master's Degree in Spatial Planning, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

Abstract

Large earthquakes can cause severe damage to buildings and infrastructure. Earthquakes are highly unpredictable, and fires caused by large earthquakes are even less predictable. Historical records indicate that small fires, often ignited by earthquakes, have occasionally escalated into widespread, devastating blazes, resulting in severe damage to people's lives and property. In this regard, the present study, considering its nature and the horizon in which the drivers are identified, is based on a futures research approach, which is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of research method. The statistical population of the study comprises all specialists and experts with the necessary knowledge and experience in firefighting and safety. To extract the key drivers affecting the performance of fire stations after the occurrence of environmental hazards, 30 variables originating from scientific projects and articles were identified in several stages with the help of experts and inspired by theoretical foundations. Key drivers affecting the performance of fire stations after the occurrence of environmental hazards were identified. Based on the results and output of the cross-sectional structural model (MICMAC), these drivers or variables have often had a direct and indirect effect on the performance of stations with different intensities and at various levels. In this regard, the direct and indirect effects of the variables include the impact of human resources on the reliability of communication systems, the access and transportation logistics on inter-organizational coordination, the impact of the reliability of communication systems on the prediction and reduction of seismic intensity and characteristics, and the role of financial resource allocation on inter-organizational coordination. The relationship between the level of awareness and preparedness of the community and the allocation of financial resources, the impact of relief equipment and technologies on improving the resilience of physical infrastructure, the reliability of communication systems on the management of environmental and climatic factors, and the impact of relief equipment and technologies on the allocation of key financial resources were identified.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Geography and Regional Future Studies
Volume 4, Issue 3 - Serial Number 15
Autumn
December 2026
Pages 82-102

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