The Raleigh Fire Department is harnessing the power of data to optimize fire station locations and improve response times over the next decade. The strategic mind behind this data-driven initiative is Andrea Saravitz, a data and strategy analyst, who joined the department last summer. According to a recent report on the City of Raleigh website, Saravitz plays a pivotal role in managing data for the department, ensuring it’s not just numbers on a spreadsheet, but a tool aiding in tangible decision-making processes that could potentially save lives.
As stated by the Raleigh Fire Department, Saravitz works closely with teams such as Logistics and the Office of the Fire Marshall while enjoying the solitude of crafting maps using geographic information systems (GIS). She has taken up the mantle of project management, guided by Logistics, to drive the analysis on city growth, pinpointing exact locations for new fire stations. Engaging with the Planning department as well, she provides a data-informed perspective to city rezoning and annexation efforts.
Her influence within the City of Raleigh Fire Department has not gone unnoticed. Senior Fiscal Analyst Adam Perry shared, “Andrea’s viewpoint helps create a sense of balance on our Command Staff, tapping into new techniques and approaches from a younger generation, keeping the department innovative and forward thinking.” Saravitz’s educational background plays a significant part in her approach—having graduated with a master’s degree in data analytics from North Carolina State University, she champions the use of data in guiding strategic decisions across any field…