3.0 DATA COLLECTION AND TABULATION

A total of 123 days of data was collected covering each engine and truck company response during May, June, July, and August, 1970. The data was taken off the company report form (see Figure 3) which is filled out by each truck and engine company responding to an alarm. TAD personnel transferred the data items to the computer compatible data form shown in Figure 4.

As the data sample was limited to four months, any conclusions pertain strictly to that limited time period. However, the data analysis is illustrative of possible procedures.

Once the forms had been completed, the information was reviewed and certain factors were tabulated, including the distribution of calls for service by:

The calls for service (CFS) were distributed by time of day as shown in Figure 5. A marked increase in demand during the evening hours is visible. The variation in frequency of calls is highlighted by dividing the day into the three time periods used in Table 1A. This breakdown shows twice as many CFS during Period III as during Period I. Other temporal divisions are possible, as in Table 1B. The difference in demand load is still evident.

For the 123 day period, the average number of calls per day was 7.73. The average per period was:

This information suggests that if there is a temporary manpower shortage, it might be desirable to ensure sufficient personnel for the third period rather than to assign equal numbers of employees for each period. If such averages were computed by company for a larger sample, preferably a complete year, they could be used to compare work loads and adjust personnel assignments for the individual companies. Seasonal changes in these norms could be used to determine the establishment of leave periods and policies.