This statistic shows total number of calls responded by fire departments of the United States in 2018. In 2018, U.S. fire departments responded to 2,889,000 false alarms. This was an increase of 13% from the previous year.
Number of fire department responses in the U.S. in 2018, by type of call
(in 1,000s)
Type of call
Number of calls responded (in thousands)
Medical aid responses (ambulance, EMS, rescue)
23,551.5
All other responses (smoke scares, lock-outs, etc.)
6,342.5
False alarms
2,889
Mutual aid or assistance
1,512.5
Fire incidents
1,318.5
Other hazardous responses (arcing wires, bomb removal etc.)
706.5
Hazardous material responses (Spills, Leaks, etc.)
426
05,00010,00015,00020,00025,00030,000
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National Fire Protection Association. (September 30, 2019). Number of fire department responses in the U.S. in 2018, by type of call (in 1,000s) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 25, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/376683/number-of-fire-department-responses-in-the-us-by-type-of-call/
National Fire Protection Association. "Number of fire department responses in the U.S. in 2018, by type of call (in 1,000s)." Chart. September 30, 2019. Statista. Accessed April 25, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/376683/number-of-fire-department-responses-in-the-us-by-type-of-call/
National Fire Protection Association. (2019). Number of fire department responses in the U.S. in 2018, by type of call (in 1,000s). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 25, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/376683/number-of-fire-department-responses-in-the-us-by-type-of-call/
National Fire Protection Association. "Number of Fire Department Responses in The U.S. in 2018, by Type of Call (in 1,000s)." Statista, Statista Inc., 30 Sep 2019, https://www.statista.com/statistics/376683/number-of-fire-department-responses-in-the-us-by-type-of-call/
National Fire Protection Association, Number of fire department responses in the U.S. in 2018, by type of call (in 1,000s) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/376683/number-of-fire-department-responses-in-the-us-by-type-of-call/ (last visited April 25, 2025)
Number of fire department responses in the U.S. in 2018, by type of call (in 1,000s) [Graph], National Fire Protection Association, September 30, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/376683/number-of-fire-department-responses-in-the-us-by-type-of-call/
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