Ratio of firefighters to residents

I'm doing some research and I'm having some difficulty finding the answer. This is mainly directed at career departments. Does anybody know if there is a NFPA recomendation on the ratio of firefighters to residents? I have found results from the national run surveys but not a solid answer.

I figured that there was enough NFPA gurus on this site to hopefully find an answer.

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Permalink Reply by Capkurt on September 2, 2008 at 4:57pm

I don't know of anything specific but you can look at ISO information and possibly the ICMA books on managing the fire service

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Permalink Reply by FETC on September 2, 2008 at 6:00pm

Our Chief's just did a manpower study and used the ratio of on-duty firefighters vs calls. NFPA has a document that provides a ratio per the number of calls you have vs. on duty staffing in a year. The average being 300. If you respond to more than 300 calls per on-duty man than your department is under-staffed. Less than 300, well it says your manpower heavy.

Like my department, we did almost 4000 calls last year with an average shift manning of 7. (7) x (300) = 2100 calls. I think the reccomndation says we need to be at (13).

I will inquire where they found the ratio and in what NFPA document tomorrow.

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Permalink Reply by Timothy Overly on September 2, 2008 at 6:08pm

Try NFPA 1700 and NFPA 1710 as these cover staffing requirements for career and volunteer depts. i don't know if they cover FF to resident ratio, though.