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Discussion on appropriate response times for fire & EMS
From excerpts on NFPA.org:
Recently, some fire departments have faced criticism from the media and local leaders regarding their response times. NFPA 1710 outlines specific timelines for fire and emergency services response. While these guidelines are based on empirical data, departments sometimes struggle to clearly explain how they interpret these requirements. A key question remains: what is truly fast enough?
NFPA 1710 specifies clear expectations for how quickly fire vehicles should arrive at incidents. In Chapter 3, the standard breaks down response time into eight distinct elements, including travel time, which starts when units leave the station and ends upon arrival. Chapter 4 mandates that the initial engine company should reach the scene within 240 seconds or less. Despite this clear directive, departments still find themselves under fire.
One challenge lies in fire departments’ communication with the public. Officials have claimed full compliance with NFPA 1710’s travel time requirements, yet in practice, they’ve often altered these times without adhering strictly to the standard's definitions. Given that all NFPA standards are freely accessible online, journalists can easily review the details and hold departments accountable.
Another issue arises when agencies reference NFPA 1710 solely for budget discussions or when responding to media inquiries. The standard requires departments to develop a comprehensive organizational statement supporting their travel time goals, updating it annually and making it publicly available.
Additionally, some departments hesitate to exercise their right to adjust NFPA recommendations based on local needs. Under the equivalency clause in Chapter 1, the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) can customize these guidelines to better fit the community’s unique circumstances. However, if these changes increase risks, the public must be informed and reassured about mitigation efforts.
So, how fast is fast enough? It varies depending on the situation, but NFPA 1710 provides essential guidance. To ensure compliance, departments should fully utilize the standard, especially the fire propagation curve in Annex A, to justify the four-minute benchmark. Draft a detailed organizational statement, maintain transparency about any modifications to travel times, address potential risks arising from longer response times, and communicate openly with the public throughout the year—not just during budget season.
Ultimately, the key is to balance adherence to national standards with localized needs while keeping the public informed every step of the way.