NFPA Reports State-by-State Findings Of Fire Department Needs And Response Capabilities

Firefighters can now download the National Fire Protection Association's latest findings on the needs and response capabilities of the fire service in each state.

The study, released July 2004, is a state-level breakdown of a national study conducted by NFPA in 2002, which was commissioned by FEMA/United States Fire Administration for Congress, according to the NFPA's web site. Among the topics covered are fire department readiness for four specified tasks:

2. Hazmat and EMS response for a defined chemical/biological incidents

3. Response to a defined major wildland fire

4. Response to a developing flood

NFPA president James M. Shannon writes in the forward to each report:

"When the national results of the first comprehensive study of the needs of the U.S. Fire Service were released in 2002 by NFPA for Congress, I described it as a call to action. That study showed clearly that most fire departments in the U.S. severely lack resources to respond to challenging incidents like terrorism.

Today's fire service is a broad-spectrum emergency-response service, as well as a leader in the drive to prevent emergencies. In area after area of critical importance to our safety, fire departments are attempting to operate with insufficient personnel, equipment, and training. Nowhere is this shortfall more evident than in the area of terrorism preparedness.

Now firefighters are faced with additional needs, including specialized training and equipment to combat terrorism. In all sizes of communities, most departments don't have that training or that equipment.

This concise state version of the needs assessment for your fire service will help policymakers and others closely examine where individual shortfalls exist and work toward providing greater safety for citizens in your state and the firefighters who protect them."

The reports are available for free at the NFPA's online One-Stop Data Shop, or they can be purchased on paper by contacting the NFPA via email at [email protected] or by phone at +1 (617) 984-7450.