Fire and EMS
Be prepared.
Be informed.
Be safe.
Fatalities reported in 2024
Teach students to stay fire safe when they head back to school!
For most students, the last fire safety training they received was in grade school, but with new independence come new responsibilities. It is important that both off-campus and on-campus students know their fire risks and prevention actions that could save their lives.
Tips to share:
- Maintain and regularly test smoke alarms and fire alarm systems. Replace smoke alarm batteries every semester.
- Regularly inspect rooms and buildings for fire hazards. Ask your local fire department for assistance.
- Inspect exit doors and windows and make sure they are working properly.
- Create and update detailed floor plans of buildings, and make them available to emergency personnel, resident advisors and students.
- Conduct fire drills and practice escape routes and evacuation plans. Urge students to take each alarm seriously.
Community Risk Reduction
Did you know:
Approximately 25% of all campus fire fatalities follow a party.
There are several specific causes for fires in on- and off-campus college housing, including cooking, candles, smoking and overloaded power strips.
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).
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.
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.
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
New resources help communities plan for extreme heat
Heat-related illnesses and death are largely preventable with proper planning, education and action. Get 2 new resources from National Integrated Heat Health Information System to support communities and local leaders with heat planning and response efforts.
Read the article
Using standards when selecting and purchasing responder equipment
Read the report by DHS that provides guidance related to the use of standards when selecting and purchasing protective and operational equipment for public safety organizations, including law enforcement agencies, fire departments and emergency medical services agencies.
Read the article
2023 East Palestine train derailment and hazmat release
The National Transportation and Safety Board releases its findings and recommendations related to the investigation of the East Palestine, Ohio freight train derailment.
Read the article
ISLAND: How to create an environment where people thrive
Learn about ISLAND, a tool to help you engage your personnel and help them thrive.
Listen to the podcast
New tools launch to raise awareness on wildland urban interface fire
Learn more about the new tools USFA is launching to apply consistent data in the implementation of community risk reduction, code adoption and enforcement, mitigation, and planning efforts.
Read the article
Become a Gold Helmet Department
Become a Gold Helmet Department to show you're actively involved in helping researchers investigate the link between firefighting and cancer. The Gold Helmet Challenge is an initiative from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health to recognize fire departments that achieve high participation rates in the National Firefighter Registry.
Read the article