About the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA)
As an entity of the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency, the mission of the USFA is to foster a solid foundation in prevention, preparedness, and response by providing national leadership to local fire and emergency services.
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Working for a Fire Safe America: The United States Fire Administration Challenge
America's fire death rate is one of the highest per capita in the industrialized world. Fire kills 3,700 and injures more than 20,000 people each year. Firefighters pay a high price for this terrible fire record as well; approximately 100 firefighters die in the line of duty each year. Direct property losses due to fire reach almost $11 billion a year. Most of these deaths and losses can be prevented!
In fact, America's fire losses today represent a dramatic improvement from more than 20 years ago. In 1971, this Nation lost more than 12,000 citizens and 250 firefighters to fire. Acting to halt these tragic losses, Congress passed P.L. 93-498, the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act, in 1974; it established the United States Fire Administration (USFA) and its National Fire Academy (NFA). Since that time, through data collection, public education, research and training efforts, USFA has helped reduce fire deaths by at least half - making our communities and our citizens safer.
Related Publications (Download, Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Help)
- America at Risk (PDF, 2.3 Mb)
- America Burning (PDF, 7.5 Mb)
- America Burning Revisited (PDF, 1.8 Mb)