A Robust Model for the Bases Location and Ambulances Allocation Problem

Abstract

The time an ambulance is in service is a parameter influenced by the nature of the emergency, traffic conditions, distance to the emergency, immediate availability of ambulances, among others. In this work, a robust model is developed for the problem of locating bases and allocating of ambulances in a fire department. The time of an emergency, which begins when a phone call is received and ends with the arrival of the ambulance at the base, is an uncertain parameter. A case study was performed with data from a fire department in the state of Goiás, Brazil. Results, for the nominal model, indicate that the current number of ambulances can serve almost the double of the current number of emergencies. However, the results of the robust model suggest this number is not sufficing, depending on the level of uncertainties imposed.