Evaluating urban fire vulnerability and accessibility to fire stations and hospitals in Austin, Texas

Abstract: Anthropogenic climate change has increased fire frequency and intensity, yet urban fire vulnerability is under-researched. This study identifies fire vulnerability patterns, maps high-risk areas with limited access to fire stations and hospitals, and determines factors contributing to increased fire incidents. A fire vulnerability index was developed using health and socio-environmental factors, while accessibility to resources was assessed through E2SFCA analysis. OLS and GWR regression identified factors linked to higher fire incidents. Results show high fire vulnerability in eastern and north-central Austin, with decreased access to fire stations and hospitals in the eastern periphery. GWR revealed a negative relationship between health vulnerability and fire incidents, and a positive relationship with socio-environmental vulnerability. Findings suggest areas with socio-environmental vulnerabilities face more fire incidents and have reduced access to critical resources, guiding public health, city planning, and emergency services in targeted mitigation strategie.