Career (Paid) EMS Provider

Altoona Fire Department

Altoona, PA · Blair County

Altoona Fire Department is a Career (Paid) department serving Altoona, PA (Blair County), with 5 stations and 67 total personnel. The department also provides EMS services. Full equipment, coverage, and staffing data from HIFLD are below.

67
Total personnel
5
Stations
-
Fire trucks
Yes
EMS service
+91%
above PA avg personnel
(35/dept)
84th
percentile by size
of 1,664 PA depts
13
personnel per station
staffing density
$2.8M
4 FEMA grants
AFG / SAFER

Department Profile

Type
CAREER
Location
Altoona, PA
FDID
07300

FEMA Grant History

$2.8M
Total Funding
4
Awards
Year Award Amount
2019 EMW-2019-FG-00459 $1,750,904
2016 EMW2015FO00642 $289,864
2015 EMW2014FV01326 $366,137
2013 EMW2012FH00518 $344,866

Source: USAspending.gov (CFDA 97.044 AFG / 97.083 SAFER) USAspending.gov (CFDA 97.044 AFG / 97.083 SAFER)

Staffing vs the Pennsylvania average

How Altoona Fire Department's personnel count compares to the typical department in Pennsylvania. It is larger than 84% of the 1,664 reporting departments statewide.

▲ 91% above the state average
Stations
5
State fire deaths/yr
115
PA departments
2,427

What This Data Tells You About Altoona Fire Department

Altoona Fire Department operates as a Career (Paid) department in Altoona, within Blair County, and the HIFLD and USFA records give a precise structural picture of its response capacity. The department reports 67 total personnel, 5 stations, no truck inventory reported. EMS capability is listed as active.

Benchmarking against the state gives this profile context. Pennsylvania has 2,427 registered fire departments and 85,879 total personnel, averaging roughly 35 staff per department. Altoona Fire Department runs 91% above that state average, signalling a larger-than-typical crew likely tied to denser population or higher call volume. The state records about 73,800 fires, 115 fire deaths, and 67% volunteer coverage each year, which shapes training, funding priorities, and mutual-aid patterns felt at every department in the state.

Federal investment further defines this department's trajectory: Altoona Fire Department has received 4 FEMA grants totaling $2,751,771 through the AFG and SAFER programs, money typically spent on PPE, SCBA, training, and hiring or retaining career staff.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many firefighters does Altoona Fire Department have?

Altoona Fire Department has 67 total personnel according to HIFLD data. This is 91% above the Pennsylvania average of 35 per department.

Does Altoona Fire Department provide EMS services?

Yes, Altoona Fire Department provides Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in addition to fire response.

How many fire stations does Altoona Fire Department operate?

Altoona Fire Department operates 5 fire stations.

What type of fire department is Altoona Fire Department?

Altoona Fire Department is a Career (Paid) department serving Blair County, PA. Career departments employ full-time paid firefighters.

Has Altoona Fire Department received federal grants?

Yes, Altoona Fire Department has received 4 FEMA grants totaling $2,751,771 through the AFG and SAFER programs. The most recent grant was in fiscal year 2019.

How many fire departments are in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has 2,427 fire departments with 85,879 total personnel. 67% are volunteer departments.

Data from HIFLD Open Data (FEMA/DHS). Not all departments report equally.

Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainFireData Editorial

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from FEMA/DHS HIFLD Open Data. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.