Effect of Call Volume on Resources

A difficult endeavor of data analysis is turning the observations into something that can influence a cost/benefit analysis. The most likely area of influence that this data will have are on the personnel responding to San Diego City's Call Volume and the wear and tear on the apparatus and equipment used during the same Call Volume.

So much of this is hard to quantify based on Call Volume alone due to the extensive variables behind each cost. For example, the cost of an apparatus to run a particular Call Volume. There are numerous micro-costs that are separate from the number of responses and the tasks required of the apparatus during those responses. For example, costs for operation of the apparatus can be influenced by the response distances (fuel costs), quality of roads (damage to tires and suspension, etc.), amount and frequency of equipment used during a response (damage to equipment, apparatus doors), and many others.

An additional goal of this site will be an attempt to describe how Call Volume can drive the costs (financial and non-financial) within a department. Important considerations may be the availability of research already completed by other departments or case-studies already within the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.