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Fire and EMS

Be prepared.
Be informed.
Be safe.

Fatalities reported in 2024

Install.

Put smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.

Test.

Only working smoke alarms provide you the early warning that there is smoke in your home. Test your alarm each month by pushing the test button. If the alarm doesn’t sound, replace the battery. If your alarm is sealed, replace the alarm.

Replace.

Smoke alarms don’t last forever. Get new smoke alarms every 10 years.

Community Risk Reduction

It is crucial to replace smoke alarms every 10 years

Over time, smoke alarms can become less effective, potentially failing to alert you in time during a fire. Dust and cobwebs can block the smoke chamber, and the electronics can deteriorate. Remember to vacuum both smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as part of your regular home cleaning.

Share smoke alarm materials with your community

National Fire Data Center

USFA announces effort to launch new fire information and analytics platform

The USFA is leading a national effort to develop and launch a new interoperable fire information and innovative analytics platform, known as the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS).

Learn about NERIS

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.

View courses with vacancies

Search

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

EPA and Forest Service release new AirNow Fire and Smoke Map

Discover the air quality in your community with the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map and provide your community with information they can use to protect themselves from wildfire smoke.

Read the article
Episode 33 | Podcast

Conversation with Dr. Lori

Listen to Dr. Lori as she discusses the key takeaways from the World Fire Congress and what will be brought to the roundtable at the 2024 U.S. Fire Administrator's Summit, October 8, 2024.

Listen to the podcast
USFA Blog

How stakeholders view wildfire mitigation efforts for homes

Wildfires represent serious safety issues around the world, posing major challenges to community safety. Learn about stakeholder perceptions in NFPA's report: Stakeholder Perceptions of Wildfire Mitigations for Homes Multi-Audience Survey Research

Read the article
USFA Blog

NIOSH project addresses respirator effectiveness with workers with facial hair

Religion, culture and medical reasons for workers with facial hair make it difficult to comply with OSHA's facial hair requirement that respirators be fit-tested to the wearer’s face to achieve a tight seal to the face. NIOSH announces a project to determine how well respirators offer protection to workers with facial hair using beard bands.

Read the article
USFA Blog

A new National Institute for Standards and Technology report outlines best practices for post-fire analysis

Learn more about lessons learned from previous case studies, including the Camp Fire, as well as what strategies need to be followed for future post-fire research and analysis to help us learn how to better protect ourselves, our communities, infrastructure and local ecosystems.

Read the article
Episode 32 | Podcast

Sirenicide: The impact of stress on vehicle crashes

Learn why firefighters are at a higher risk of dying on the way to a fire and the sense of urgency in response to emergency calls.

Listen to the podcast