Valparaiso University Student Combines Economics and Fire Safety in Effectiveness and Response Study

Valparaiso, Indiana – Mathew Blevins ’28 a double-major in economics and Spanish at Valparaiso University, has been awarded the Guild Undergraduate Creative Work and Research (CWR) Expense Grant, and will use the funds this summer to research and quantify the factors that influence response time and overall effectiveness of a Northwest Indiana fire department. His goal is to improve public health and safety through improved budgeting practices.

“I’m looking at how allocating resources in a different way, or getting federal funding and allocating that in a certain way, would impact the overall effectiveness of a department,” Blevins said. “If I can do that, it will be really helpful for places around the world.” 

As a volunteer with the South Haven Fire Department, Blevins brings firsthand experience to his project. He will gather data using the National Fire Incident Reporting System, existing literature on fire department efficiency and budget allocation and interviews from regional firefighters. Key performance indicators will include loss of life, damage to property, response time, and safety ratings. 

Blevins plans to present his findings to federal agencies to advocate for more effective resource distribution within emergency services.

This research opportunity, rare for a first-year student, is made possible through the support of the Valparaiso University Guild. Established in 1931, the Guild awards up to $10,000 annually to support undergraduate research projects, exemplifying Valpo’s commitment to hands-on learning and the ambitions outlined in its strategic plan Uplift Valpo: Our Beacon for the Journey Forward.

For Blevins, who hopes to pursue a career in supply chains for emergency response safety tools, the project is an opportunity to set a foundation that he can build on for the rest of his academic and professional career. 

“I was planning on just working this summer, and now I have this too, and I’m glad I do,” Blevins said. “It’s something I can grow as I get older.” For more information on the University Guild and the Guild Undergraduate Creative Work and Research Expense Grant, click here.