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U.S. Fire Administration Blog

Articles for the fire and emergency medical services (EMS) providing information on professional development, emergent issues and critical emergency services sector infrastructures.

woman wearing an N95 mask looking out at her smoky neighborhood
NEW Current Issues
  • CRR
  • Wildfire & WUI

Minimizing the effects of wildfire smoke

Inform your community about these actionable steps that they can take to minimize the respiratory effects of wildfire smoke.

Posted: June 8, 2023
2 firefighters walking in Pride parade
Current Issues
  • Events
  • Leadership

Celebrating Pride Month

Pride Month is an opportunity for the fire service to recognize the positive impact Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer employees have on fire and rescue departments and the communities their departments serve.

Updated: May 31, 2023

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Current Issues
woman wearing an N95 mask looking out at her smoky neighborhood
  • CRR
  • Wildfire & WUI

Minimizing the effects of wildfire smoke

Posted: June 8, 2023
Current Issues
2 firefighters marching in a Pride parade
  • Events
  • Leadership

Celebrating Pride Month

Updated: May 31, 2023
InfoGram
firefighting foam used during a vehicle fire
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Hazmat
  • Health & Safety

Firefighting foams: PFAS vs. fluorine-free foams

Posted: May 25, 2023
InfoGram
firefighter demonstration in-suit communication
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Health & Safety

In-suit communications evaluation video

Posted: May 18, 2023
InfoGram
firefighter putting on gear
  • Hazmat
  • Health & Safety

New information on potential carcinogens in firefighter gear

Posted: May 11, 2023
InfoGram
mountain highway auto accident
  • Data
  • Health & Safety

Start using ReportStruckBy.com… it could save your life

Posted: May 4, 2023
Current Events
America Burning
  • Events

America Burning: 50 years of fire safety and prevention

Posted: May 4, 2023
Current Issues
wildflowers with homes in the background
  • CRR
  • Wildfire & WUI

Include everyone in wildfire safety and prevention efforts this year

Posted: May 4, 2023
InfoGram
autism decal
  • EMS

Autism resources for first responders

Posted: April 27, 2023
InfoGram
firefighters fighting off a large wildfire
  • Training
  • Wildfire & WUI

2023 Wildland fire safety training annual refresher

Posted: April 21, 2023
InfoGram
hazmat team at a railroad tanker incident
  • Data
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Hazmat

CBRNResponder: FEMA’s one-stop shop for CBRN incident management and data sharing

Posted: April 13, 2023
InfoGram
electric bike stand
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Health & Safety
  • Hazmat

2023 Firefighter Safety Stand Down focuses on lithium-ion batteries

Posted: April 6, 2023
InfoGram
Photo of opioids in a bag
  • EMS
  • Hazmat

Reducing first responder occupational exposures to opioids

Posted: March 30, 2023
InfoGram
Photo of firefighters huddled together on duty
  • Wildfire & WUI

Implementing a new model for management of large wildland fire incidents

Posted: March 23, 2023
InfoGram
Photo of firefighters demonstrating the use of wildland fire shelters
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Wildfire & WUI

Wildland fire shelter safety warning

Posted: March 16, 2023
InfoGram
Photo of a person using VR while using a laptop
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Training

Immersive learning: an important part of fire service training

Posted: March 9, 2023
InfoGram
Photo of a person donating blood
  • Health & Safety
  • Hazmat

Firefighters: Donating blood may reduce PFAS levels in your blood

Posted: March 2, 2023
Current Issues
Solar panels installed on fire station
  • CRR
  • Planning

Sustainable energy and conservation solutions for fire departments

Posted: March 8, 2023
Current Issues
Electrical vehicle charging
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Hazmat
  • Health & Safety

Fire and EMS: Be alert for alternative fuel vehicle conversions

Posted: March 1, 2023
Current Issues
community hillside fire
  • Wildfire & WUI
  • CRR

Fire protection engineers: Key players in solving the wildland urban interface fire problem

Posted: Feb. 24, 2023
InfoGram
Home energy storage system
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Hazmat

Guidance for energy storage systems technologies

Posted: Feb. 23, 2023
InfoGram
Pendar spectrometer
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Hazmat

Technology assessment completed for hazard identification tool

Posted: Feb. 16, 2023
InfoGram
firefighters in ladder bucket with drone nearby
  • Data
  • Equipment & Technology

Privacy and data protection guidance for drone users

Posted: Feb. 2, 2023
InfoGram
lithium battery
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Health & Safety
  • Hazmat

Free training on fire and explosion hazards from lithium-ion batteries

Posted: Jan. 26, 2023
InfoGram
wildfire in homes on hillside
  • Wildfire & WUI

The chemistry of fires in the wildland urban interface

Posted: Jan. 26, 2023
InfoGram
canine and handler working at incident scene
  • Fire Investigation

Available from FEMA: Canine team resource typing documents

Posted: Jan. 19, 2023
InfoGram
firefighters putting patient into an ambulance at the scene of a car accident after dark
  • Health & Safety
  • Training

Free training course on use of personal protective equipment for roadway incident response

Posted: Jan. 12, 2023
Current Issues
firefighters on hoseline in smoky environment
  • Health & Safety

Help reduce firefighter cancer: Join the National Firefighter Registry

Updated: April 17, 2023
InfoGram
flooded highway with stranded cars
  • CRR
  • Planning

New FEMA report summarizes state of national preparedness

Posted: Jan. 5, 2023
Current Issues
The White House
  • Fire Investigation

President Biden signs legislation to investigate major fires

Posted: Dec. 27, 2022
InfoGram
FDNY paramedics placing patient in ambulance
  • EMS
  • Health & Safety

EMS resources for this winter's respiratory virus surge

Posted: Dec. 22, 2022
Current Issues
firefighter looking forward
  • EMS
  • Health & Safety

Increasing the focus on fire and EMS behavioral health

Posted: Dec. 15, 2022
InfoGram
wildland firefighter wearing respirator
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Health & Safety
  • Wildfire & WUI

A new assessment of wildland firefighter respirators

Posted: Dec. 15, 2022
InfoGram
GPS location concept
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Planning

Establishing agreements for Next Generation 911

Posted: Dec. 8, 2022
InfoGram
putting on medical gloves
  • EMS
  • Health & Safety

Evidence-based infection prevention and control recommendations for the EMS/911 workforce

Posted: Dec. 1, 2022
InfoGram
man with closed fist looking toward an emergency vehicle
  • EMS
  • Health & Safety

New workplace violence policy recommendations to protect fire-based EMS providers

Posted: Nov. 17, 2022
Current Issues
fire engine and ambulance
  • All

EMR — ISAC: Making vital, timely, actionable emergency services sector information easily accessible

Posted: Nov. 16, 2022
InfoGram
firefighter looking up at a window with fire coming out of it
  • Health & Safety
  • Training

Mayday: Train to use the portable radio emergency alert button

Posted: Nov. 10, 2022
InfoGram
community destroyed by wildfire
  • CRR
  • Planning

Now available: ASTM standard guide for community resilience

Posted: Nov. 3, 2022
Current Issues
caregiver pushing a man in a wheelchair
  • Planning
  • Wildfire & WUI

Mitigating losses incurred by vulnerable populations during wildfires

Posted: Oct. 28, 2022
InfoGram
911 dispatch control center
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Planning

Action steps to enhance 911 system cybersecurity

Posted: Oct. 27, 2022
InfoGram
flooded cars
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Health & Safety

Responding to electric vehicle fires caused by salt water flooding

Posted: Oct. 20, 2022
InfoGram
emergency operations center
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Planning

Updated: FEMA's EOC how-to quick reference guide

Posted: Oct. 13, 2022
InfoGram
EMTs treating a patient at a protest
  • EMS
  • Health & Safety

Protecting EMS responders from violence

Posted: Oct. 6, 2022
InfoGram
blood bags in storage
  • EMS

Pioneering advancements made in use of whole blood transfusions in prehospital settings

Posted: Sept. 22, 2022
InfoGram
multi-gas monitor
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Health & Safety

All firefighters need to be trained on multi-gas monitor use

Posted: Sept. 22, 2022
Current Issues
firefighter operating an aerial on a ladder truck
  • Funding

You'd be surprised how simple it is for your fire department to get grant money

Posted: Sept. 22, 2022
InfoGram
firefighters wearing ppe
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Health & Safety

Firefighter turnout gear associated with health risks

Posted: Sept. 15, 2022
InfoGram
man sitting on the floor and staring into the distance
  • Health & Safety

Suicide prevention resources for emergency responders

Posted: Sept. 8, 2022
InfoGram
portable radio transceivers
  • Equipment & Technology

Now available: Checklist for communications technology in training and exercises

Posted: Sept. 1, 2022
Current Issues
embers at night from the Camp Fire
  • CRR
  • Wildfire & WUI

Protecting structures from wildfire embers and fire exposures

Posted: Sept. 1, 2022
InfoGram
air medical transport helicopters
  • EMS

Free resources on establishing safe landing zones for air medical transport

Posted: Aug. 25, 2022
InfoGram
2 men riding in a car with a navigation system
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Wildfire & WUI

Next generation wildland urban interface alerting technology

Posted: Aug. 18, 2022
InfoGram
firefighter with firefighting foam surrounding him
  • Hazmat
  • Health & Safety

Major changes in firefighting foams suggest needs for different tactics and training

Posted: Aug. 11, 2022
InfoGram
woman sitting on the floor with her head in her hands
  • Health & Safety

Behavioral health resources for first responders

Posted: Aug. 4, 2022
InfoGram
man with monkeypox blisters on his hands
  • EMS

Updated guidance for EMS on monkeypox

Posted: July 28, 2022
InfoGram
dextrose
  • EMS

Critical shortage of dextrose is forcing EMS to adapt protocols

Posted: July 21, 2022
InfoGram
firefighter using a halligan bar in a smokey environment
  • Health & Safety

International study finds that “occupational exposure as a firefighter causes cancer”

Posted: July 14, 2022
InfoGram
subway tunnel
  • Equipment & Technology

Assessment of portable radio repeaters for indoor and subterranean environments

Posted: July 7, 2022
InfoGram
SCBA
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Health & Safety

NIOSH safety notifications for respirator equipment

Posted: June 30, 2022
InfoGram
firefighter putting water on a car fire
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Hazmat
  • Health & Safety

Emergency response guides for electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries

Posted: June 23, 2022
InfoGram
fire station exterior
  • Planning
  • Terrorism

Critical infrastructure bomb threat awareness resources

Posted: June 16, 2022
InfoGram
hazmat team at a rail yard
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Health & Safety

Wristbands track firefighter exposure to harmful chemicals

Posted: June 9, 2022
InfoGram
EMS providers attending to patient
  • EMS
  • Health & Safety

New manual helps departments develop an EMS safety program

Posted: June 2, 2022
InfoGram
monkeypox
  • EMS

Guidance on monkeypox for EMS providers

Posted: May 26, 2022
InfoGram
couple at counseling
  • Health & Safety

Mental health awareness for first responders

Posted: May 19, 2022
InfoGram
man throwing Molotov cocktail
  • Health & Safety
  • Planning
  • Terrorism

First responders and civil unrest

Posted: May 12, 2022
InfoGram
apartment building fire
  • Health & Safety
  • Training

Free training on the impact of ventilation on fire dynamics

Posted: May 5, 2022
Coffee Break
students conducting an experiment in the National Fire Academy Burn Lab
  • Fire Investigation
  • Training

Accelerate your professional development as a fire investigator

Posted: May 3, 2022
InfoGram
e-bike charging
  • CRR
  • Hazmat

Guidance on responding to lithium-ion battery fires in mobility devices

Posted: April 28, 2022
InfoGram
person caulking a gap in a window
  • CRR
  • Wildfire & WUI

How homeowners and communities can protect themselves from wildfires

Posted: April 21, 2022
InfoGram
blurred photo of an ambulance
  • EMS

Should the use of lights and sirens used in EMS responses be reduced?

Posted: April 14, 2022
Current Issues
female firefighters on hoseline during a training drill
  • Events
  • Health & Safety
  • Leadership

Supporting women in fire and EMS: the USFA commitment

Updated: April 3, 2023
Current Issues
African American fire chief riding in a car at a parade
  • CRR
    • Events Leadership

The U.S. Fire Administration celebrates Black History Month

Posted: Feb. 17, 2022
Coffee Break
fire sprinkler system inspection
  • Codes & Standards
  • CRR
  • Fire Investigation

The Fire Marshal Interchange: A free resource for information sharing

Posted: Feb. 3, 2022
Current Issues
residential highrise
  • Codes & Standards CRR

Protecting people who live or work in high-rises

Posted: Jan. 12, 2022
Coffee Break
older adults looking at content on a tablet
  • CRR
  • Equipment & Technology

Using social media to reach out to your community

Posted: Dec. 8, 2021
Current Issues
photo of a burned out room
  • Events
  • Fire Investigation

First responders: know your fire investigation role

Updated: Dec. 12, 2021
Coffee Break
testing laboratory
  • Codes & Standards
  • Equipment & Technology

How to contact a nationally recognized testing laboratory

Updated: Nov. 5, 2021
Coffee Break
multimedia developers
  • CRR
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Wildfire & WUI

Using multimedia to inform and inspire people to embrace fire safety

Posted: Nov. 4, 2021
Current Issues
child sleeping with mother in background
  • Codes & Standards
  • CRR
  • Equipment & Technology

High-frequency tone smoke alarms are not effective in waking sleeping pre-teenage children

Posted: Sept. 30, 2021
Current Issues
woman charging an electric vehicle
  • CRR
  • Equipment & Technology

Electric vehicle home charging: tips for your community

Posted: Aug. 18, 2021
InfoGram
firefighter at a car fire
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Hazmat

UL webinars share lithium-ion battery science for safe response

Posted: Aug. 12, 2021
InfoGram
wildland firefighters constructing a fireline
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Wildfire & WUI

Lightweight respirator on the way for wildland firefighters

Posted: Aug. 5, 2021
InfoGram
wildfire smoke in Portland, Oregon
  • CRR
  • Data
  • Wildfire & WUI

AirNow Fire and Smoke Map helps communities monitor air quality

Posted: July 22, 2021
Current Issues
sandbags in foreground, first responders in raft on flooded street in background
  • CRR
  • Planning
  • Wildfire & WUI

Is your fire and EMS department ready for climate change?

Posted: June 30, 2021
Current Issues
unattended camp fire
  • CRR
  • Wildfire & WUI

Preventing outdoor activities from turning into wildfire disasters

Posted: June 8, 2021
Coffee Break
wildfire community meeting
  • CRR
  • Wildfire & WUI

Effective communication can ignite wildfire safety engagement

Posted: Feb. 10, 2021
Current Issues
burned homes in Santa Rosa, California
  • CRR
  • Wildfire & WUI

Interdependent factors can influence WUI fire home survivability

Posted: Feb. 10, 2021
Coffee Break
steel construction
  • Codes & Standards

Building construction special inspections: When are they required?

Updated: Jan. 8, 2021
Coffee Break
new home construction
  • Codes & Standards
  • Fire Sprinklers

Residential fire sprinklers save lives and money

Updated: Jan. 7, 2021
Coffee Break
fire at a shopping complex
  • Codes & Standards

The Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule

Updated: Jan. 7, 2021
Coffee Break
evacuation diagram
  • Codes & Standards
  • Planning

How to create a simple building evacuation diagram

Updated: Jan. 6, 2021
Current Issues
photo of a man and a woman staring looking at their destroyed home
  • CRR
  • Wildfire & WUI

Post-wildfire recovery

Posted: Oct. 22, 2020
Current Issues
photo of a small Oregon town
  • CRR
  • Wildfire & WUI

Include everyone in community wildfire preparedness

Posted: Sept. 22, 2020
Current Issues
pictograph illustrations
  • CRR

A pictograph is worth a thousand words

Posted: Sept. 3, 2020
Current Issues
homes destroyed by fire at Ocean Isle Beach
  • CRR

Hurricane Isaias shows why storm fire safety matters

Posted: Aug. 27, 2020
Coffee Break
community members meeting about wildfire projects
  • CRR
  • Wildfire & WUI

Fire-adapted communities

Posted: Aug. 26, 2020
Current Issues
graphic examples
  • Health & Safety
  • Training
  • Wildfire & WUI

New graphics highlight wildland firefighter safety messaging

Posted: July 17, 2020
Coffee Break
photo of wildfire on a hillside with homes in the foreground
  • CRR
  • Planning
  • Wildfire & WUI

How to create a Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Posted: June 24, 2020
Current Issues
photo of an activated residential fire sprinkler head
  • Equipment & Technology
  • Fire Sprinklers

Retrofitting homes with lower cost sprinkler technologies

Posted: May 27, 2020
Coffee Break
photo of a backdraft explosion
  • Health & Safety

Recognizing backdraft conditions can save your life

Posted: May 19, 2020
Current Issues
photo of person installing gutter guards
  • CRR
  • Wildfire & WUI

Doing the little things makes a difference in wildfire safety

Posted: May 11, 2020
Coffee Break
photo of a flashover in a living room
  • Health & Safety

Recognizing flashover conditions can save your life

Posted: May 5, 2020
Coffee Break
park in foreground with wildfire in background
  • CRR
  • Wildfire & WUI

Addressing wildland fire challenges with the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy

Posted: April 21, 2020
Current Issues
photo of a marina
  • CRR

Fire onboard: safety tips for boaters in your community

Posted: March 23, 2020
Coffee Break
firefighters spraying AFFF
  • Health & Safety

The hidden dangers in firefighting foam

Posted: Feb. 11, 2020
Coffee Break
standpipe
  • Codes & Standards
  • Fire Sprinklers

Plan a better fire attack by understanding standpipe systems

Posted: Dec. 11, 2019
Coffee Break
fire hydrant cleared of snow
  • Codes & Standards
  • CRR

Prepare for winter weather fire protection challenges

Posted: Oct. 31, 2019
Coffee Break
firefighter showing smoke alarm to mom holding her daughter
  • CRR

Is your smoke alarm installation program a liability concern?

Posted: Oct. 8, 2019
Coffee Break
steel building construction
  • Codes & Standards

Inspecting fire-resistive steel construction for damage

Posted: Aug. 15, 2019
Current Issues
wildfire threatens home
  • CRR
  • Wildfire & WUI

Mitigating wildfire vulnerability: A community success story

Posted: July 16, 2019
Coffee Break
propane exchange stand
  • Codes & Standards
  • Hazmat

Required storage distances for LPG cylinder stands

Posted: July 26, 2019
Coffee Break
fire engine responding to a car fire
  • Hazmat
  • Health & Safety

Know the threats before you attack an electric vehicle fire

Posted: June 18, 2019
Coffee Break
fire engine with fireworks in the background
  • Codes & Standards
  • CRR
  • Hazmat

Educating the public about safe handling of fireworks

Posted: June 3, 2019
Coffee Break
water gauge with out of service sign
  • Codes & Standards
  • Fire Sprinklers

Planning for a fire protection system shut down

Posted: May 12, 2019
Coffee Break
temporary standpipe
  • Codes & Standards
  • Planning

Temporary standpipe systems

Posted: April 2, 2019
Coffee Break
building under renovation
  • Codes & Standards
  • Planning

Fire prevention at buildings under renovation or construction

Posted: March 19, 2019
Coffee Break
firefighter using a tablet
  • Training

Improving responder performance using job aids

Posted: Feb. 5, 2019
Coffee Break
open hands holding a padlock
  • Training

Student privacy rights: what training managers need to know

Posted: Nov. 27, 2018
Current Issues
paramedics treating a patient
  • EMS
  • Training

Training helps EMS workers identify human trafficking signs

Posted: Nov. 8, 2018
Current Issues
main street usa
  • CRR
  • Fire Sprinklers

Fire sprinkler tax incentives for small businesses

Posted: June 12, 2018
Current Issues
home boarded up with clear board
  • CRR

Clear boarding creates a ”no ply“ zone

Posted: April 17, 2018
Coffee Break
EMAC cover
  • CRR

How to make sure your fire safety messages are accurate

Posted: Feb. 21, 2018
Coffee Break
caregiver with an older adult
  • CRR

Reaching target populations with fire and life safety messages

Posted: Oct. 31, 2017
Coffee Break
firefighter using a computer
  • Data

When should you update your NFIRS reports?

Posted: Aug. 29, 2017
Coffee Break
firefighter making an escape plan with a family
  • CRR

How to improve your cross-cultural communication for risk reduction

Posted: Aug. 15, 2017
Coffee Break
binary data with a question mark
  • Data
  • Training

Where’s the data?

Posted: Aug. 3, 2017
Coffee Break
fire sprinkler system
  • Codes & Standards
  • Fire Sprinklers

Hydraulic system nameplates

Posted: July 31, 2017
Coffee Break
car ignition button that reads change, start
  • EMS

Quality management in Emergency Medical Services — Implementing change

Posted: July 11, 2017
Coffee Break
business man pointing at a bullseye
  • EMS

Quality management in Emergency Medical Services — Problem statement

Posted: July 6, 2017
Coffee Break
DMAIC
  • Data
  • EMS

Quality management in Emergency Medical Services — DMAIC

Posted: June 29, 2017
Coffee Break
checklist with the EMS symbol
  • EMS

Quality management in Emergency Medical Services

Posted: June 26, 2017