Title: Site selection for emergency supplies storage facilities under natural disasters: an approach based on location theory

Authors: Hailin Guo; Hui Li; Weiming Chen

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China ' China Nuclear Power Design Co., Ltd., Shenzhen of Guangdong Prov., Shenzhen Guangdong 518045, China ' Faculty of Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China

Abstract: Locating emergency supplies storage facilities is critical in the preparation phase of emergency management, and it also provides urgent protection when natural disasters strike. An appropriate location can greatly reduce the loss or damage caused by disasters. This paper applies the Location Theory to locate emergency supplies storage facilities combined with the characteristics of locating emergency supplies storage facilities. The study established a location potential mathematical model, selected relevant indexes and quantitatively analysed the location potential through the calculation of cases in each area to determine the optimum location of the emergency supplies storage facility. This method used in this study is simple, easy to use and provides a new thought in solving emergency supplies storage facilities location problems.

Keywords: emergency management; site selection; location theory; natural disasters; emergency supplies; emergency storage facilities; facilities location; mathematical modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEM.2014.066200

International Journal of Emergency Management, 2014 Vol.10 No.2, pp.169 - 179

Received: 12 Aug 2013
Accepted: 26 Jun 2014
Published online: 03 Mar 2015 *

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