Ambulance Dispatch Optimization System 🚑

Overview

This repository contains the backend for an Ambulance Dispatch Optimization System built with Python Flask and MySQL. The service manages ambulances, hospitals, emergency requests, dispatch records, and response logs.

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Features

• REST API backend using Flask
• MySQL database integration with mysql-connector-python
• Automatic database and table creation on startup
• Simple nearest-available ambulance dispatch logic
• JSON responses with error handling

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Tech Stack

• Backend: Flask (Python)
• Database: MySQL
• Connector: mysql-connector-python

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API Endpoints

• GET /ambulances - return all ambulances
• POST /ambulance - add a new ambulance
• GET /hospitals - return all hospitals
• POST /request - create an emergency request
• POST /dispatch - assign nearest available ambulance to a request
• GET /dispatch/history - return all dispatch records with joins

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Setup Instructions

1. Create and activate a virtual environment

python -m venv .venv
.venv\Scripts\Activate

2. Install dependencies

cd backend
pip install -r requirements.txt

3. Configure the database backend

By default, the app uses SQLite so it can run without a MySQL server. This is the fastest way to start the backend locally.

If you want to use MySQL later, set DB_TYPE=mysql and configure credentials.

Default SQLite file:

• SQLITE_DB_FILE=ambulance_system.db

Optional MySQL settings:

• DB_TYPE=mysql
• DB_HOST=127.0.0.1
• DB_USER=root
• DB_PASSWORD= (empty)
• DB_NAME=ambulance_system

Example for MySQL:

set DB_TYPE=mysql
set DB_HOST=127.0.0.1
set DB_USER=root
set DB_PASSWORD=your_password
set DB_NAME=ambulance_system

4. Run the app

python app.py

The backend will run on http://127.0.0.1:5000 in debug mode.

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Notes

• The app creates the ambulance_system database and required tables automatically when first run.
• Dispatch selection uses a simple first-available ambulance strategy.

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Development

Start the server locally and test the routes with Postman, curl, or any REST client.

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License

This repository is distributed under the terms of the existing license.