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Fire and EMS

Be prepared.
Be informed.
Be safe.

Fatalities reported in 2025


Fatalities reported in 2024

Photo of a family planning for escape
Photo of a child practicing staying low during escape planning
Photo of a family at their meeting place

Plan ahead to save lives.

Fire is fast. Start the year by creating and practicing your home fire escape plan to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Make and practice your #FireEscapePlan

Make a home fire escape plan. Draw a map of each level of the home. Show all doors and windows.

Practice the plan with everyone in your household, including visitors.

Teach your children how to escape on their own in case you cannot help them.

Choose an outside meeting place in front of your home and ensure everyone knows where it is.

Community Risk Reduction

Hotel and vacation rental fire safety and escape planning

Messages to share:

  • Find the 2 closest exits from your room.
  • In a hotel or motel: Count the number of doors between your room and the exits. This will help if you need to get out in the dark.
  • In a vacation rental: Be sure everyone knows 2 ways out of every room and out of the rental if there is an emergency.

Share fire safety resources with your community

National Fire Data Center

Key benefits of V1 NERIS:

  • Telling the Department’s Story.
  • Resource Allocation.
  • Understanding Risks.
  • Performance Review.

Have questions about NERIS? Check out the webinar recordings and the data schemas

Research

Guide to funding alternatives

Updated November 2023

This comprehensive resource tackles the challenges faced by EMS agencies and fire departments, providing vital information on funding sources, grants and alternative revenue options.

Download the guide to funding alternatives PDF

Fire/EMS Training

Invest in yourself

The National Fire Academy has the courses to help you meet your professional development goals and reduce all-hazards risks in your community. The courses you take through the NFA can be considered for college credit.

Apply between Dec. 15 — Jan. 15 for on-campus courses scheduled from April through June 2025.

View courses with openings now

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Tasks

Let the U.S. Fire Administration help you with your mission to keep your community safe from fires and other emergencies.

New content for fire and EMS

USFA Blog

Emergency response guides for electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries

Standardized guides for electric vehicle and lithium-ion battery response are available for easy access to critical information for first responders.

Read the article
USFA Blog

Highlight wildland firefighter safety messaging with graphics

Graphics for wildland firefighters that depict the 10 Standard Firefighting Orders and 18 Watch Out Situations are available for download.

Read the article
Episode 36 | Podcast

Exploring Women's Health Concerns in the Fire Service

On this episode of The USFA Podcast, Dr. Brittany Hollerbach discusses the importance of research on women's health for the fire service.

Listen to the podcast
USFA Blog

Doing the little things makes a difference in wildfire safety

Learn about simple and low-cost actions that homeowners can take to protect their homes from wildfire.

Read the article
USFA Blog

EMS and Community Paramedicine: Evidence-informed policies and state-by-state legislation

Read how many states are using community paramedicine to reduce emergency department use providing primary and preventative care.

Read the article
USFA Blog

How to create a community wildfire protection plan

Learn about the history behind the development of Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs), the key components, how a CWPP can benefit a community at risk from wildfire, and how to create a plan for your community.

Read the article