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Firefighters are often first in the line of response for emergency situations. Whether it’s a fire or a medical emergency, firefighters are prepared to help those in need and keep the public safe. And firefighters are responsible for more than just fire safety – they respond to a number of emergency situations, making their role more like a hybrid between a firefighter and paramedic career.

If you are a firefighter, or if you plan on pursuing a career as a firefighter, it is important to keep up on current trends within the industry. Here are five statistics you should know.

1. Overall fire death rates are on the decline in the United States. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the overall number of fire deaths has declined 20 percent since the year 2000. This trend is partially due to an increase in the population and a decline in the number of reported fires. Other factors that may affect the rate of fire deaths include improved policies for fire safety and building codes.

2. Firefighters respond to more medical emergencies than fires. As the number of fire incidents declines, the roles and responsibilities of firefighters continue to shift. According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2010, fires accounted for only 5 percent of responses made by fire departments in the United States. Your career as a firefighter is likely to be similar to a paramedic career; medical emergencies were the most common need for firefighter response – making up 66 percent of responses in 2010.

3. In 2010, there were an estimated 1,103,300 firefighters employed in the United States. Approximately 335,150, or 30 percent of working firefighters, were full-time employees. Meanwhile, 768,150, or 70 percent of working firefighters, were volunteer positions.

4. Most fire departments rely heavily on volunteer firefighters. According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2010, 68 percent of fire departments in the United States were staffed entirely by volunteer firefighters, while an additional 17 percent of fire departments were staffed mostly by volunteers. Only 8 percent of fire departments in the United States were staffed entirely by full-time firefighters, while an additional 6 percent of fire departments were staffed with mostly full-time firefighters. 

5. Full-time firefighters are in greater demand in highly populated, urban areas. Data from the National Fire Protection Association states that seventy-three percent of full-time, paid firefighters are employed in areas with a population of 25,000 or more. Conversely, less populated areas are more likely to employ volunteer firefighters. 95 percent of volunteer firefighters work in areas with a population smaller than 25,000; 50 percent of volunteers are located in rural areas with a population of less than 2,500.

Resources for individuals with Paramedic Careers at HealthEdSolutions.com

Health Ed Solutions offers online courses for healthcare professionals and first responders. Whether individuals are pursuing medical, first responder or paramedic careers, HealthEdSolutions.com courses cover a variety of healthcare certifications. If you are looking for ACLS certification or for ACLS recertification, visit HealthEdSolutions.com for more information.