The Phoenix Fire Department is in crisis.
911 response times today are near 9 minutes – far short of the national standard of 5 minutes!*
*City Manager’s Performance Dashboard

Seconds count.
As the City of Phoenix continues to add population, emergency response times will continue to rise – unless city leaders take action today.
Between 2010 and 2020, Phoenix added approximately 300,000 residents. The PFD’s 911 call volume spiked to nearly 248,000 calls annually. That’s a 54% jump!
In that time, the City has added
1 fire engine and only 40 firefighters.
That’s a 2.4% increase in resources to fight a 49% increase in emergencies.
What happens in 2030, when the city’s population is projected to top 2.1 million?

Your firefighters are in crisis!
49% spike in calls per shift per unit
In the past decade, call volumes have increased by 49% calls per shift. That means longer response times and longer delays when you need help the most. For Phoenix firefighters, more calls per shift means more danger, more injuries and more job-created stress.
71% of PFD units running calls at crisis levels
When a fire unit runs more than 3,000 calls per year, they typically miss about 25% of the 911 calls in their area. So when you call 911 with an emergency, there’s a 25% chance the station will be empty when you need help. Who answers your call? A unit from outside the area, with more miles to travel. This creates more danger for the public, longer response times, more equipment failures and more stress for firefighters.
65% of the PFD fleet is past replacement age
When fire vehicles and equipment pass replacement age, maintenance costs go up, as do failure rates. In the fire service, failure can literally mean death – for those we serve and for firefighters and paramedics.
Times have changed.
911 Response Times (2022)
%
Increase in 911 Calls Since 2010
%
Increase in Firefighters Since 2010
A PROJECTION TO 2030
Let’s look into Phoenix’s future.
There is a solution!
Between now and 2030, the City of Phoenix needs to add 30 fire engines and 30 ambulances to ensure PFD can keep residents, businesses, visitors and the men and women on the frontlines safe.
The City also needs to add nearly 400 firefighters by 2030.
This equipment and the trained professionals to staff these vehicles are not a luxury or a Christmas wish. They are an absolute must if the City of Phoenix is to solve this crisis and avoid catastrophic 911 emergency response times.
In our business, seconds and minutes can mean the difference between life and death.
Thank you for your support. Together, we can solve the #PHXFireCrisis.
Reach out
Do you have insight into the Phoenix fire crisis? Thoughts to share, or the desire to offer your support. Please reach out to us via email today.

Phoenix Fire Makes History In 2022 With Highest Call Volume Ever Recorded In One Year
City of Phoenix (1/4/23)

Phoenix Fire cannot respond quickly to your 911 call. We can't let this problem fester
Op-Ed: Az Central (9/21/22)