Summary
The 2023 ESO Fire Service Index report serves as a benchmarking guide for fire departments, analyzing performance-related metrics from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022. The report compiles data from 1,461 participating agencies, encompassing 4,527,591 incidents. It aims to assist fire leaders in understanding their operational challenges and successes through quantitative analysis. Key findings indicate that fire departments responded to a higher number of EMS calls compared to fire calls, with EMS incidents representing 68% of total responses. The report also identifies residential properties as the most common site for fire calls, accounting for 80% of incidents. The document outlines critical metrics such as turnout times, response times, and property loss, providing a framework for departments to refine strategies and improve community safety. Additionally, it discusses the implications of changing community dynamics on fire response and emphasizes the importance of community risk reduction initiatives.
