The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) sponsors research and conducts studies to support emergency responder health and safety and help fire departments prepare for and respond to fire, natural disasters, non-fire emergencies, and other threats and vulnerabilities.
Current events and issues
About 20 percent of volunteer firefighters meet the VO2 max fitness level recommended by NFPA 1582. So how might volunteer firefighters improve their cardiovascular fitness? A study published this year explored how circuit training may help.
Read the articleThis information is compiled daily (Monday-Friday) by USFA to provide a snapshot of significant national events potentially impacting the fire and emergency services. A weekly Influenza Surveillance Report is also included during flu season.
Subscribe to receive the briefing through email Download the briefing PDF ≤ 1 MBUSFA’s Emergency Management and Response – Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) promotes critical infrastructure protection (CIP) by sharing CIP and emerging threat information with Emergency Services Sector (ESS) departments and agencies nationwide.
Learn more about what the EMR-ISAC can do for your ESS organization.
InfoGram
Steps that first responder families can take to be more resilient while a loved one is away from home working during a major disaster.
Read the article Download the Sept. 20 InfoGram PDF ~160 KBUSFA sponsors research to create safer operational environments for firefighters by increasing awareness about building construction during fires, emergency incident rehabilitation, firefighting techniques and tactics, and more.
Explore these materials to help increase awareness about safer operational fireground environments.
The public relies on first responders during emergencies, and the more substantial the incident or the disaster, the greater the need for assistance delivered by the fire department and others with public safety missions.
USFA partners with the National Institute of Standards and Technology on research projects to improve the protective qualities of clothing and equipment used by firefighters in operational situations.
Explore our latest research on protective clothing and equipment technology.
Approximately 25 percent of on-duty firefighter fatalities occur each year while responding to or returning from incidents, with the majority of fatalities resulting from vehicle crashes. Vehicle collision is the second leading cause of firefighter fatalities.
USFA sponsors research and studies to help keep EMS personnel and their patients safe, and help prepare fire departments for special EMS operations.
If you are a firefighter looking for tips to improve your overall health and fitness, or a fire department leader developing or enhancing a wellness-fitness program, these resources can help.
Almost 70 percent of all U.S. firefighters are volunteers. USFA is working with the National Volunteer Fire Council to help keep volunteers healthy and safe, and to keep the volunteer fire service strong now and in the future.
Browse our volunteer health, safety, and retention and recruitment resources.
This collection of recommended resources will help your fire department prepare for, and respond to, WUI fires. Included are outreach materials, training courses, assessment tools, and links to the latest WUI research studies.
Explore toolkit resourcesStressful Conditions and Crowd Behavior: How Properly Trained Crowd Managers Can Be Life Savers
This presentation explores the differences between how people respond to stimulus as individuals versus how they respond when in a crowd. Here’s what you will learn:
