Optimum Locations for a Rural Fire System: A Study of Major County, Oklahoma

Extremely dry conditions in the Great Plains during Spring and Summer of 1976 have greatly increased the awareness of rural residents and decision-makers of the need for increasing rural fire protection. In addition, increasing investments in farm machinery, buildings, crops and livestock, and urban sprawl have increased the need for improved rural fire protection. Oklahoma farmers have six billion dollars invested in farm property and annually produce crops and livestock worth about 1.9 billion dollars. More than one-third of the state's population lives in rural areas. These large agricultural investments, movements of urban people to small acreages and extremely dry conditions have induced rural residents to pressure county and community officials to improve fire protection. The usual procedure is to approach county commissioners and ask them for funds. Commissioners are acutely aware of the problem, but have several crucial needs competing for limited funds. If they decide to invest in fire equipment such as providing rural truck(s) for an existing department(s) to operate, the problem of optimum placement becomes very important.