Estimates from data received by NFPA’s 2010 National Fire Experience Survey indicate that public fire departments responded to approximately 1,331,500 fires in the United States last year, down 1.3% from the previous year. This also represents the lowest amount of fire department response since NFPA began using this particular survey method back in 1977-78. While the percentage of fire department response decreased, the percentage of civilian deaths due to fire rose by 3.7%. There were an estimated 3,120 lives lost to fire in 2010. In addition to reported fires and civilian deaths, the survey records property damage figures. In 2010, those figures include $711 billion in residential properties, $421 million in public assembly properties, and $515 million in industrial properties. For more detailed information or to download the fire loss report, please visit NFPA’s website.
