FIREFIGHTERS IN THE UNITED STATES

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that there were approximately 1,148,850 firefighters in the United States (U.S.) in 2008. 

CAREER AND VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS IN 2008

Of the total number of U.S. firefighters, 321,700 or 28% were career firefighters and 827,150 or 72% were volunteer firefighters.  

Career firefighters include full-time (career) paid uniformed firefighters regardless of assignments (e.g., suppression, prevention/inspection, administrative). Volunteer firefighters include any active part-time (call or volunteer) firefighters. 

U.S. FIREFIGHTERS BY AGE GROUP IN 2008

• Age 16-19 (4%)
• Age 20-29 (25%)
• Age 30-39 (26%)
• Age 40-49 (24%)
• Age 50-59 (15%),
• Age 60 and over (6%)

PROTECTING COMMUNITIES IN 2008

Most of the career firefighters (74%) are in communities that protect 25,000 or more people. Most of the volunteer firefighters (94%) are in departments that protect fewer than 2,500 people.

Statistics and information courtesy of the U.S. Fire Administration (http://www.usfa.dhs.gov) and the National Fire Protection Association (http://www.nfpa.org/).  

March 8, 2010