If you are reading this article on a mobile device, you’re not alone. In fact, each day more people are using their mobile devices as their primary source of communication. This is just one finding from a recent IAFC survey of mobile-device use among first responders.

Recently, IAFC conducted a survey of members and nonmembers on their current and projected use of mobile devices—specifically smartphones, such as Android, Blackberry and iPhone, and tablets, such as Galaxy and iPad—in their positions as fire and emergency service responders.

The results show that use of smartphones is quite prevalent among first responders with 84% reporting they currently have a phone and 71% of those without a smartphone planning to purchase one within the next six months. Moreover, the percentage of those with smartphones goes up the younger the person. The same holds true for those planning to purchase a phone in the next six months.

Tablets (e.g. iPads) are also becoming more prevalent among first responders and they’re growing, though well behind the level of smartphone use. Currently, 24% of survey respondents have a tablet. That figure is consistent across both rank and age.

Respondents also ranked by level of importance various smartphone and tablet applications among first responders in carrying out their work.  Read more on the results from the IAFC Moble Survey