The following article was published in the March issue of FireRescue magazine.

PRESIDENT’S LETTER
By Chief Jeffrey D. Johnson, EFO, CFO, MIFireE

The Science Behind Our Business
Use data to your department’s advantage

For decades, the fire service and most fire departments have collected data, such as call types, response times, fire loss, and EMS survival and discharge. But while many of us are good at collecting data, how good are we at analyzing and applying that data to improve our operation and, more importantly, to save lives?

To become and remain accredited, Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI)-accredited departments must demonstrate a solid data foundation and continuous improvement in key categories. But what if your department hasn’t reached that point yet?

Let’s take a look at how data used by fire departments around the world is making a difference.

Improving Service & Costs
You can’t deny the fact that fires are diminishing and EMS and public service calls are growing. Faced with this data, doesn’t it make sense to look at alternative deployment models that include units other than 25 tons of steel and four firefighters on every call? Wake County (N.C.) EMS, the Shreveport (La.) Fire Department and a growing number of other departments are now using non-traditional units to respond to non-fire calls. Wake County’s program also conducts home visits to high-risk individuals with certain medical conditions with the goal of decreasing EMS response and ER visits.

Another great example: the Lancashire (United Kingdom) Fire Authority uses demographic and incident data to reduce fire risk in its most vulnerable communities. With detailed risk information for each of its neighborhoods, Lancashire has reduced its number of high-risk neighborhoods by 50 percent in 2 years.

Life-Saving Public Education
Using consumer data to develop messages that change behavior is nothing new to the private sector. Years ago, my home department, Tualatin Valley (Ore.) Fire & Rescue (TVF&R), took a page from the private-sector playbook following a rash of fatal apartment fires.

TVF&R secured a Fire Act Grant and hired a private company to conduct research with local landlords and tenants. The research highlighted the fact that landlords play a significant role in reducing fires and motivating tenant behavior. Armed with that data, TVF&R implemented a multi-faceted program that offers strategic resources and training for landlords. Today, not only have apartment fires decreased overall—while the number of apartments increased—but 98 percent of participating landlords have not suffered a significant fire after attending the training.

Sustained Funding
A growing number of departments today are reliant upon voter-approved funding. How would you like to increase the odds that you maintain that funding? In 2004, TVF&R did just that by conducting a public attitude survey before asking its constituents for a local option levy (tax) renewal. The research showed that when someone knew more about TVF&R and its EMS role, they were more likely to support a tax renewal. In addition, the research highlighted that those who had interaction with TVF&R were 11–20 percent more likely to support a tax renewal. The research helped us develop strategic messaging and underscored the value of our firefighters and staff interacting with the community on a regular basis. (Note: In the end, our renewal had a 71 percent voter-approval rating.)

In Sum
Are you taking charge of the science behind our business? Our organizations will ultimately be defined by data. The issue is whether we choose to use it in determining our destiny.

Chief Jeff Johnson began his career as a firefighter in 1978, and he has served as fire chief of Tualatin Valley (Ore.) Fire & Rescue since 1995. He is past president of the IAFC Western Division and Oregon Fire Chiefs Association. He is a member of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association and has been active in many IAFC sections, including Fire & Life Safety, Volunteer & Combination Officers, EMS, and Safety, Health and Survival. Chief Johnson is a National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer graduate and has received his Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Designation.