Fire department operations, management and safety

USFA'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.

CIP InfoGram headlines for Oct. 27

Fire response to civil disorder, protests and riots

Police officer mental health after mass violence

Utilities get a new tool against solar storms

National Fire Academy resident program

Download the Oct. 27, 2016 InfoGram PDF 315 KB

USFA 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.

See also: U.S. on-duty firefighter fatalities

Voice radio communications

This guide provides a basic understanding of radio communications technology, including hardware, policies and procedures, and human resource issues. Topics covered include:

• Digital and analog radio.
• System design and portable radio selection and use.
• Interoperability.
• Radio spectrum licensing.
• First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet).

Voice Radio Communications Guide for the Fire Service PDF 6.3 MB

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.

Find out how your fire department can enhance its level of preparedness and response to non-fire emergencies and natural disasters.

Operational lessons learned in disaster response

This report identifies gaps and needs in first responder training and resources and presents solutions that serve to better prepare local-level fire services for all-hazard events and to interact with federal resources.

Operational Lessons Learned in Disaster Response PDF 2.5 MB

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.

Thermal performance of SCBA facepiece lenses

Working with NIST, USFA sponsored a study to better understand the thermal degradation of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) facepiece lenses, an issue identified as a contributing factor in certain firefighter casualties.

Thermal Performance of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Facepiece Lenses Exposed to Radiant Heat Flux PDF 2.6 MB

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.

Read about best practices and recommendations for safer emergency vehicle and roadway incident response.

Our latest study report, “Emergency Vehicle Safety Initiative,” covers these topics:

• Common crash causes and crash prevention.
• The impact of vehicle design and maintenance on safety.
• Internal and external factors for improving response-related safety.
• Regulating emergency vehicle response and roadway scene safety.
• Roadway incident scene safety.

USFA sponsors research and studies to help keep EMS personnel and their patients safe, and help prepare fire departments for special EMS operations.

Browse our resources on EMS responder safety, human trafficking, and guidelines and protocols for responding to all-hazards incidents.

Help victims of human trafficking

Fact: approximately one-third of human trafficking victims are treated by medical providers.

This collection of resources will help you learn about the crime and be prepared to help prevent human trafficking and treat victims.

Explore resources and share with first responders.

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.

Explore the latest research findings, best practices and recommendations for firefighter health, wellness and fitness.

Firefighter cancer study

We are working with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health on a research project to clarify the relationship between firefighter occupational exposures and cancer. Firefighters can be exposed to contaminants from fires that are known or suspected to cause cancer.

Learn more about our firefighter cancer study.

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.

Volunteer retention and recruitment strategies

If your volunteer department is looking for ideas and proven successful practices in recruitment and retention, download this publication.

Retention and Recruitment for the Volunteer Emergency Services: Challenges and Solutions PDF 3.4 MB