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The most well-known subject in graph theory is the shortest path problem (SPP), which has real-world applications in several different fields of study, including transportation, emergency services, network communications, fire station services, etc. The arc weights of the applicable SP problems are typically represented by fuzzy numbers in real-world applications. In this paper, we discussed the process of finding the shortest distance in a connected graph network in which the arc weights are multi-valued neutrosophic numbers (MNNs). Moreover, here we compare our method with some of the existing results and illustrate one implementation of our method with the help of one numerical example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: When a fire breaks out, combustibles are burned and toxic substances such as carbon monoxide (CO), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), benzene, and hydrogen cyanide are produced. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the air quality inside self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) by comparing it to that in the environment where the SCBA charger is installed. (2) Methods: The design of this study was a simulation-based case-control experiment study, and the experiment was conducted at two fire stations located on land and on water. When charging the SCBA, it was differentiated according to the presence or absence of exposure to harmful substances and the degree of exposure. The air quality inside the SCBA in the charging room installed in the fire station garages located on land and in the water, which were not completely isolated from harmful substances, was evaluated. CO, carbon dioxide (CO2), water, and oil mist were measured and analyzed to determine the air quality inside the SCBA. (3) Results: In the case of land firefighting stations, the mean CO among the SCBA internal air quality items was 20 times higher than the outside the SCBA, and higher than the safe range in the group with the highest exposure at the sites of firefighting buildings completely isolated from hazardous substances. The CO levels of all items of water were analyzed to be higher than the safe range in the floating fire station. (4) Conclusions: It was confirmed that the installation environment of an SCBA charging room can affect the safety of the charged internal air quality components. The results of this study can be actively used for the operation and management of SCBA charging room environments when building firefighting buildings in the future for the hygiene, safety, and health of firefighters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, electrically propelled vehicles are becoming more and more popular. Due to the propulsion system, the risks derived from the operation have changed, compared to the conventionally driven vehicles. The investigated vehicle has the same, new risk factor originating from the behaviour of rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) during combustion and there is only a minority of available literature dealing with the investigation of the battery housing. According to our assumption the housing is a fire comburent material that hinders the work of first responders. In this research we conducted the laboratory examination of a prismatic LiFePO4 battery cell and battery pack cover used in electrically driven vehicles during burning. Combustion gases were collected and were evaluated with the help of gas chromatography. Our results show that plastic housing and cell covers are not recommended in automotive industrial use, because of their comburent characteristics, also the combustion gases are severely harmful. This paper includes the method of sampling, the experiment itself and the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an equilibrium-based modeling framework for emergency response (ER) workload balancing for robust operations in metropolitan areas. The problem is formulated as a non-linear mathematical program (NLP), which determines the optimal maximum workload for each ER station such that the weighted sum of the area-wide expected response time and its variation is minimized. The concept of Marginal Cost of Uncertainty (MCU) is introduced to measure the impact of a station's workload increase on the robustness of the area-wide service performance. The solution of the NLP is proved to be equivalent to a state of equilibrium in which all stations have a minimum MCU. An iterative solution methodology is developed, which adopts a modified version of the Frank-Wolfe decomposition algorithm for convex optimization. The workload is iteratively balanced among adjacent stations until the state of equilibrium is achieved. At equilibrium, no station can reduce its MCU value by unilaterally shifting a part of its workload to any other station(s) in the area. The developed framework is applied to determine the optimal workload balancing strategy for 58 fire stations serving the City of Dallas. The framework is shown to enhance the robustness of the ER service performance especially in situations with imbalanced workloads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DKI Jakarta is one of the regions in Indonesia and the Archipelago A thousand that lies within the territory of the State Capital over specifically the district Island One thousand, which consists from islands coral as many as 113 pieces by the total land area of 8.7 km². Study of existing islands in area archipelago become Power pull alone for researcher, because need public to area settlement nor Power pull tour so that Lots agency must sufficient need functional from building the state building myself, for one the building of the Office of Mitigation Fire And Rescue, in the form of a fire station fire For anticipate to risk the disaster that was in slowly inhabited islands and Rescue. Countermeasures Department Fire and Rescue is one agency government is very important and necessary attention special For sufficient fulfillment building building government. Purpose of study This are: 1. Identify possible risk occurs in phases construction on the Fire Post Development Project Fire in the County Island one thousand; 2. Define risk main What only possible occurs in phases construction on the Fire Post Development Project Fire in the County Island one thousand; 3. Plan response to risk main phase construction on Project. Construction of a Fire Post Fire in the County Island thousand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is a commentary on the movie "The Banshees of Inisherin," directed by Martin McDonagh. The film is about the breakdown of friendship between two friends on an island in Ireland. It criticizes corruption and dehumanization on the island. The movie explores the understanding of the other and the existence of something unrepresentable in the subject. Padráic sets Colm's house on fire as revenge, and the film shows the consequences of narcissistic anger. The movie raises the question of how to stimulate ignorance and mystery. [Extracted from the article]

In order to select the location of fire stations more scientifically and improve the efficiency of emergency management in chemical industry parks (CIPs), an improved risk calculation model for hazardous chemicals has been proposed by taking the domino effect and the identification of major hazardous installations for hazardous chemicals into account. In the analysis of the domino effect, the Monte Carlo simulation was used. Then, a location model of the fire stations was established with the optimization objectives of minimizing total cost and maximizing total risk coverage. The solving procedure of the location model is based on the augmented ε -constraint method combined with the TOPSIS method. Finally, a green chemical industry park was used as a case study for the validation and analysis of the location model. The results showed that the improved model could protect the high-risk areas, which is beneficial for the location decisions of fire stations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high level of air pollution in the cities of central and southern Chile, largely due to the burning of firewood, causes serious damage to people's health, felling of native forests, house fires, and people's deaths. An alternative that has been working for more than 100 years in the northern hemisphere is district heating. In Chile, there are two district heating systems operating for several decades and in recent years small projects have been slowly increasing. It is proposed to promote district heating for a greater number of population, either using industrial energy sources that are wasted or from non-polluting renewable energy sources. Then, the analysis is focused on the buried distribution pipe network in relation to its interaction with the ground related to mechanical and thermal response. These pipes are made of steel, insulated with foam and protected with a plastic jacket. Results of measurements in an instrumented pipe circuit connected to a district heating network in operation are presented. The axial displacements of the pipes in stationary conditions are possible to adequately estimate using the available calculation methodologies. However, steady-state conditions of sudden changes in temperature and pressure are difficult to estimate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Speaker of the House of Commons has a special role in defending the authority of MPs to hold the government to account. Despite the Speaker’s theoretical power to uphold the rights of MPs, the ability to exercise these powers in practice is constrained by factors both internal and external to the position. Specifically, the federal government is able to sidestep the Speaker’s authority and the Speaker’s commitment to impartiality, while central to his role, prevents him from making timely rulings. Combined, these factors create a significant impediment on the ability of the House to exercise its constitutional duties. In this article, the author reviews the powers and role of the Speaker. Then, using the battle between the government and the House over the firing of two scientists from the National Microbiology Laboratory in early 2021 as a case study, she suggests possible reforms that could increase the Speaker’s power and improve the transparency of government, as well as its accountability to the House of Commons. *This article is a slightly modified version of the winning entry in the 2022 Canadian Study of Parliament Group Koester Essay Competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vulnerability assessment of an urban area to earthquake hazards is the requirement to attaining sustainable urban resilience. Quetta city is the capital of the province of Balochistan surrounded by mountains with the existence of many active faults. The main objective of the current study was to assess the earthquake vulnerability in Quetta valley. A total of 400 households were selected for the primary household survey. A simple random sampling technique is employed using proportionate allocation method because of the heterogeneity of the area in terms of population. Secondary data was taken from the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP), the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), and the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Analytical Hierarchal Process (AHP) & Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) methods are used to identify earthquake vulnerability. The results of the study reveal that the Northwestern and Southeastern parts of Quetta are seismically vulnerable to earthquake hazard; its geology coupled with the human dimension indicates a more disastrous future events. Results of the composite earthquake vulnerability show that seven out of thirteen Zones of Quetta city are highly vulnerable to all four components of vulnerability. Four Zones have a medium level of vulnerability and only two Zones are considered low earthquake vulnerable Zones in the study area. The topmost influential factors that make Quetta city highly earthquake-vulnerable are the soil type (0.45), peak ground acceleration (0.34), proximity to the hospitals and fire service stations (0.22, 0.21), elderly population (0.22) and fault lines (0.21) as shown in Fig. 12. This research study has significant implications for urban planners and provides a risk reduction platform in order to reduce future earthquake losses and make Quetta city more resilient and sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sam Patrick, a White female superintendent is in her fourth year leading the Douglasville School District, a high-performing, predominantly White suburban district that has a long history of unacknowledged and unchecked racism and racial disparities. Sam is driven to embrace a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda and move the district in a new direction. The central conflict in the case is the district response to a racist ZOOM bombing incident involving a Black Assistant Principal and the n-word. This is a useful case for district leadership/ superintendency courses and professional development. Authors suggest exploring the issues through one or more of these frameworks: equity-focused leadership, culturally responsive leadership, social justice leadership, and anti-racist solidarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a certain arched "cross" type transfer subway station, the problem of smoke inhalation through the side smoke exhaust mode and the influence of the location of main smoke outlet on the smoke exhaust effect of the arched subway station were studied by the method of combining theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, and the influence of opening mechanical air replenishment on the platform floor and natural air replenishment by opening the screen door on the platform floor was discussed. The results show that: the smoke outlet on the main side of arched station hall plays a decisive role in the smoke exhaust effect of the whole station hall; when the distance between the main side smoke outlet and the arch of the station hall is within 1.8 m, the time when the smoke outlet starts to contact and remove the smoke is almost the same; with the distance between the smoke vent and the vault increases, the smoke layer near the smoke outlet is more likely to be sucked through when a fire occurs, and the suitable range of the distance between the main side smoke outlet and the arch in the case of 2.5 MW fire in the arched station hall is obtained; it is suggested that when a fire occurs in the station hall, the mechanical ventilation of the platform or the screen door of the platform should be opened to provide a safer environment for the station hall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research proposes a data-driven approach to identify possible disparities in a utility's outage management practices. The approach has been illustrated for an Investor-Owned Utility located in the Midwest region in the U.S. Power outage data for approximately 5 years between March 2017 and January 2022 was collected for 36 ZIP/postal codes located within the utility's service territory. The collected data was used to calculate the total number of outages, customers affected, and the duration of outages during those 5 years for each ZIP code. Next, each variable was normalized with respect to the population density of the ZIP code. After normalizing, a K-means clustering algorithm was implemented that created five clusters out of those 36 ZIP codes. The difference in the outage parameters was found to be statistically significant. This indicated differential experience with power outages in different ZIP codes. Next, three Generalized Linear Models were developed to test if the presence of critical facilities such as hospitals, 911 centers, and fire stations, as socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the ZIP codes, can explain their differential experience with the power outage. It was found that the annual duration of outages is lower in the ZIP codes where critical facilities are located. On the other hand, ZIP codes with lower median household income have experienced more power outages, i.e., higher outage counts in those 5 years. Lastly, the ZIP codes with a higher percentage of the White population have experienced more severe outages that have affected more customers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the fire safety problems in self-build housing in China's vast rural areas have become increasingly prominent. We analyzed the interaction of causative factors and logical structure of self-build housing fire accidents (SBHFAs) to find their key causes and reduce their occurrence. Using the 24Model, 30 SBHFA investigation reports were analyzed, and 44 SBHFA causative factors and 97 causal relationship codes were obtained. The causality and centrality degree of causative factors were analyzed using the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method to obtain the causal attribute and importance of causative factors. An adversarial hierarchical topology model of causative factors was conducted using the adversarial interpretive structural modeling (AISM) method, and the causal hierarchical relationships were obtained. Using the Matrices Impacts Croises-Multiplication Appliance Classement (MICMAC) analysis, the causative factors' dependency degree and driving force were calculated. Combining and comparing the results of DEMATEL, AISM, and MICMAC analyses, we found that the adversarial hierarchical topology model of causative factors was reasonable, and key direct causative factors, key transitional causative factors, and key root causative factors were mined. Controlling the key causative factors could effectively reduce the occurrence of SBHFAs and guide the fire safety management of self-build housings in rural areas of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A rare type of risk associated with firefighting activities and affecting the central nervous system (CNS) is acoustic trauma. The main causes of acoustic trauma in professional firefighters include long-term exposure to noise from fire engine sirens, emergency call alarms in the fire stations (fire halls), and the operation of equipment used during rescue and firefighting operations. Material/Methods: The study was based on an analysis of data obtained from the HR Department of the National Headquarters of the State Fire Service (NHSFS). The analysis included cases of acoustic trauma suffered by firefighters while on duty, which were reported to the control room of their firefighting units as rescuer accidents, and followed up with medical interventions. Results: The average number of accidents among SFS firefighters per year during the study period was n=1.617.During the study period (2015-2022), there were seven incidents in which a total of 11 firefighters suffered acoustic trauma affecting the CNS and the organ of hearing. Conclusions: To prevent on-duty accidents, both practical and theoretical training sessions are provided, covering measures aimed at reducing accident rates to minimum levels. Other important activities include hearing prophylaxis; medical examinations; breaks during work, appropriate organisation of work and the working environment; compliance with the applicable regulations, internal procedures and safety instructions; the use of personal protective equipment, and the good technical condition of vehicles and equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore differences in the perceptions of professional and voluntary firefighters regarding the extreme wildfire events that occurred in Portugal in 2017. We collected a sample of 185 participants, professional and voluntary firefighters, who directly participated in suppression activities for the Pedrógão Grande and October 2017 wildfires in Portugal. They were on duty in 149 fire stations in the Central Region of Portugal. A questionnaire was sent via Google Form to participants, based mainly on close-ended and two open-ended questions. It was structured into topics concerning the characteristics of wildfire events, the problems that occurred during the suppression activity, the emotional response of participants to the events, the lessons learned, and the consequences. We found significant differences between the two groups in their perception of wildfire characteristics and their perception of the worst fires they had ever experienced. Some differences were found in their discussion of the suppression phase and their emotional response to fires. On the contrary, the two groups appear to be homogeneous when it comes to no significant changes after the deadly 2017 experience in terms of the fight against rural fires, organization, training, prevention, and careers. The results underline the inadequacy of the suppression model vs. extreme wildfire events, and also its limits from the point of view of psychological reactions and the perception of management problems occurring in extreme and complex events. There is a research gap and no examples in Portugal about the perception of firefighters of the complex flow of activities that characterize the suppression operation of extreme wildfire events. Our research fills this gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadequate fire emergency response infrastructure and a lack of defined service coverage remain key barriers to timely fire disaster response. This study is applied research which employed geospatial techniques and aimed at examining fire disaster emergency response demand and supply relationships with the view to delineating service coverage and locating more facilities for optimum coverage in Kano metropolis. Locations of the existing fire stations and fire incidents (2009-2019) were gathered through GPS surveying. Network data set were generated. Nearest Neighbor and Network Analysis (origindestination, service coverage and location-allocation) were conducted to determine emergency response demand and supply relationships, service coverage area delineation and identifying best site for allocating new facilities within the metropolis respectively. It was found that no clearly defined service coverage exist as emergency response supply takes more than 4-8 times the NFPA travel standard, and with a great deal of overlapping response patterns. New service coverage areas were proposed and best sites for 8 firefighting facilities identified for optimum coverage. It is concluded that emergency fire disaster response demand and supply relationships within Kano metropolis is imbalanced, with extensive recurrent demand especially within the core area served by overstretched and inefficient response supply. This, therefore, implies continuous exposure of lives and properties to the menace of fire disaster in Kano metropolis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the deformation properties of the body of the lithium-ion power cell (LIPC) Panasonic NCR18650B (LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2) exposed to the action of static load at various techniques of fixing the cell. Determining the properties of LIPCs under appropriate conditions makes it possible to fill the gap in existing studies, which will further ensure the safety of their use. Based on the results of experimental studies, the LIPC rigidity and temperature indicators were determined in accordance with the applied load. The most dangerous variant, from the point of view of fire danger, of applying a static load on the cell has been established. It was experimentally established that, on average, the Panasonic NCR18650B LIPC housing can withstand a load of about 80 kg·s/cm² (or 7.84 MPa) without further ignition. An increase in pressure force in the range exceeding 85–90 kg·s/cm² leads to an irreversible chain thermochemical reaction, which, within 2–3 seconds, leads to LIPC ignition. Compressing the LIPC evenly along its lateral surface showed the occurrence of combustion at the load on the cell equal to 150 kg·s/cm². The average temperature of the cell during combustion caused by the deformation of the housing is 350–450 °C, and the maximum value is registered in the range of 580–680 °C. The mathematical model built on the basis of the mathematical theory of thin shells adequately describes the stressed-strained state of the cylindrical body of cells under the action of a force concentrated and distributed load. The estimation model is satisfactorily verified by experimental results, making it possible to improve the strength and rigidity of LIPC housing by choosing the appropriate steel grade for its body, the geometric dimensions, and the structural technique of its fastening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban settlements located in high-seismicity areas should benefit from comprehensive vulnerability analyses, which are essential for the proper implementation of vulnerability modelling actions. Alas, many developing countries face a shortage of knowledge on seismic vulnerability, particularly concerning its systemic component, as a consequence of a combination of data scarcity and a lack of interest from authorities. This paper aims to identify primary time-independent spatial patterns of earthquake systemic vulnerability based on the accessibility of key emergency management facilities (e.g., medical units, fire stations), focusing on the urban settlements located in the high-seismicity area nearby the Vrancea Seismogenic Zone in Romania. The proposed methodological framework relies on open source data extracted from OpenStreetMap, which are processed via GIS techniques and tools (i.e., Network Analyst, Weighted Overlay Analysis), to compute the service areas of emergency management centres, and to map earthquake systemic vulnerability levels. The analysis shows that accessibility and systemic vulnerability patterns are significantly impacted by a synergy of factors deeply rooted in the urban spatial layout. Although the overall accessibility was estimated to be medium-high, and the overall systemic vulnerability to be low-medium, higher systemic vulnerability levels in certain cities (e.g., Bacău, Onești, Tecuci, Urziceni). The presented findings have multi-scalar utility: they aid in the development of improved, locally tailored seismic vulnerability reduction plans, as well as the allocation of financial and human resources required to manage earthquake-induced crises at regional scale. Further to that, the paper provides a transparent methodological framework that can be replicated to put cities in high-seismicity areas on the map of systemic vulnerability assessments, laying the groundwork for positive change in countries where the challenges associated with high-level seismic risk are often overlooked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the significant hazards in the event of a fire in high-rise residential buildings in cities is the length of time taken to completely evacuate a large number of occupants. On a city scale, it is important that a city's fire and rescue services are in place to minimize the consequences which can be incurred in any potential fire incident. The paper presents the methodology and results of a study that evaluates the city-wide vulnerability in high-rise residential building fires in the City of Istanbul, Turkey. In the context of fire and rescue service arrival to burning buildings, a high-rise building can be considered vulnerable if the fire and rescue service arrives at the building site only after the expected completion of evacuation of the building, thus unable to fulfill its intended purpose of saving the occupants. The study is based on comparison of an agent-based evacuation model of safe escape times for 1167 high-rise residential buildings against their fire and rescue service arrival times estimated using GPS data. This methodology can be used to inform the decision about optimal locations of a city's fire and rescue services. As an example, this study indicates that adding a single new fire station in the City of Istanbul can improve its preparedness for fire accidents by reducing the risk of its most vulnerable district by more than 26%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we provide a brief overview of solar photovoltaic and thermal energy, wind turbines with vertical and horizontal axes, and other sustainable energy production systems as well as energy storage systems. In some remote areas away from easy access to electricity and fresh water, a self-contained and self-sustainable off-grid energy production and storage farm is very much needed. In this so-called sustainable energy farm, solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energies along with wind energy can be harvested and stored in a secured battery warehouse with mobile wireless surveillance systems with unpredictable coherent motions. In this battery-based energy storage system, special fire protection measures must also be employed with heat sensors and early detection and alarm systems. The alarm system will be connected to both local fire stations and automated fire extinguishing systems. A subsequent paper will present the details of this wireless fireproof alarm powered by sustainable energy resources. The main purpose of this paper is to document, provide references, and inform about the state-of-the-art achievements in the field of renewable energies, particularly, solar, wind, and other green energy resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of urbanization, fire risk factors have increased greatly, indicating a higher requirement for urban firefighting security. Fire rescue capabilities can be effectively improved by the scientific layout of fire stations, and therefore, the optimal spatial arrangement of fire stations has practical implications for urban safety. In this paper, a method for planning the locations of urban fire stations is presented, taking into account the fire risk points of interest (POIs) data, road networks and fire station planning principles. The combined model method is validated against the nearest facility point model, and the service area model is proposed for the coverage of POIs and regional areas of planned new sites. The efficacy of the model is demonstrated through an improvement in the coverage of crosspoints of the regional area and points of interest (POIs), with increases of 10.20% and 12.43%, respectively. We applied the combined model method to Fengdong New Town, Shaanxi Province, China. A total of 11 new potential sites were proposed to improve the efficiency of spatial coverage, and subsequently, the coverage rate of the POIs and regional area reached 97.66% and 84.80%, respectively. This study provides application guidelines for the decision-making of fire services and the allocation of firefighting resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To constructively ameliorate and enhance traffic safety measures in Saudi Arabia, a prolific number of AI (Artificial Intelligence) traffic surveillance technologies have emerged, including Saher, throughout the past years. However, rapidly detecting a vehicle incident can play a cardinal role in ameliorating the response speed of incident management, which in turn minimizes road injuries that have been induced by the accident's occurrence. To attain a permeating effect in increasing the entailed demand for road traffic security and safety, this paper presents a real-time traffic incident detection and alert system that is based on a computer vision approach. The proposed framework consists of three models, each of which is integrated within a prototype interface to fully visualize the system's overall architecture. To begin, the vehicle detection and tracking model utilized the YOLOv5 object detector with the DeepSORT tracker to detect and track the vehicles' movements by allocating a unique identification number (ID) to each vehicle. This model attained a mean average precision (mAP) of 99.2%. Second, a traffic accident and severity classification model attained a mAP of 83.3% while utilizing the YOLOv5 algorithm to accurately detect and classify an accident's severity level, sending an immediate alert message to the nearest hospital if a severe accident has taken place. Finally, the ResNet152 algorithm was utilized to detect the ignition of a fire following the accident's occurrence; this model achieved an accuracy rate of 98.9%, with an automated alert being sent to the fire station if this perilous event occurred. This study employed an innovative parallel computing technique for reducing the overall complexity and inference time of the AI-based system to run the proposed system in a concurrent and parallel manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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