Changes in the modern fire service

While thermal imaging cameras and advanced life-saving tools are helping firefighters, the enemy they face has evolved significantly over time. Fire incidents have dropped steadily—more than halved in the last 25 years—but today's fires are far more dangerous and spread at a much faster rate. As a result, fire departments across the country are working hard to adapt their strategies to tackle this new challenge.

Fire chiefs warn that the decline in reported fire calls can be misleading. It doesn’t mean fewer firefighters are needed. In fact, last year alone, nearly 1.3 million fires were reported nationwide—up 4.7% from 2013. On average, a fire occurs every 24 seconds. Despite the rise, the number is still less than half of the 3 million fire reports from 1980. The National Fire Protection Association reported that fires in 2014 caused $11.6 billion in damage and claimed the lives of 64 firefighters and 3,275 residents.

About 75% of the 494,000 structure fires last year occurred in homes and apartments. However, modern house fires are nothing like those from two decades ago. Today’s homes are larger, built with materials that burn hotter and faster, and filled with furniture and belongings made from highly flammable synthetic polymers. Even wood furniture, which naturally burns when heated, is often coated with flammable polyurethane, making it even more hazardous.

This means firefighters must act faster before buildings collapse. They also have less time to search large homes for trapped individuals. While thermal cameras and equipment allow them to enter structures that were once too dangerous, these tools need to be used alongside updated techniques and training.

A striking example of how fire behavior has changed is the escape time available to homeowners when smoke alarms go off. Traditional advice suggests that properly placed smoke detectors can give up to 15 minutes of warning. But in today’s modern homes, filled with flammable items, that window can shrink to as little as two minutes.

Many local fire departments operate as hybrid units, where most firefighters are also trained as paramedics or EMTs. This dual role requires them to stabilize patients on-site—whether it's for a broken bone or a cardiac emergency—before transport. This growing responsibility adds to their workload.

For instance, Woodstock Fire Rescue saw a dramatic increase in calls after merging its fire and rescue districts in 1993. Back then, it handled around 1,100 calls. Now, it responds to over 4,500 annually—a 300% increase. Nationally, almost two-thirds of the 31.6 million total calls received by fire departments last year were for medical assistance, highlighting the expanding role of firefighters in emergency services.

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