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Frequently Asked Questions
Where does PlainFireData's fire department information come from?
Fire department data comes from the HIFLD Open Data fire station dataset maintained by DHS/CISA. This federal dataset contains station-level records for 53,000+ fire stations across the U.S., including personnel counts, equipment, location, and EMS designation.
Why does PlainFireData show departments instead of individual stations?
The HIFLD dataset has one record per fire station. Many departments operate multiple stations. PlainFireData aggregates stations to the department level using the Fire Department ID (FDID) - the official FEMA/USFA identifier for each department, to create department profiles that are more useful for research than individual station records.
My local fire department doesn't appear in PlainFireData. Why?
Not all fire departments report to the HIFLD federal station registry. Smaller volunteer departments are particularly likely to be missing. Absence from PlainFireData does not mean a community lacks fire protection, it means that department doesn't appear in the federal dataset we use. Contact your local fire department directly for authoritative local information.
What is the USFA and where does the state-level statistics come from?
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) is part of FEMA and tracks national fire statistics. State-level fire statistics on PlainFireData (annual fires, deaths, injuries, property loss) come from USFA published annual reports. These are compiled from the NFIRS (National Fire Incident Reporting System) and other sources.
What are Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG)?
AFG is a FEMA program that provides funding directly to fire departments for equipment, training, and other needs. PlainFireData shows grant history for departments that have received AFG and related SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grants. Grant data comes from OpenFEMA.
How current is PlainFireData's information?
HIFLD station data is updated periodically by DHS/CISA. USFA state statistics reflect the most recent published annual report. FEMA grant data reflects the most recent OpenFEMA release. PlainFireData refreshes its database when updated federal datasets are released.
Is PlainFireData affiliated with FEMA, USFA, or DHS?
No. PlainFireData is an independent data portal built by PlainFireData. We present publicly available federal data in an accessible format but are not affiliated with DHS, CISA, USFA, FEMA, or any government agency. For emergencies, always call 911.