Fire Service
News & Analysis
Expert reporting on the issues that matter most to firefighters. Written by fire service veterans and investigative journalists.
Chief (Ret.) David KowalskiThe Federal Safety Net Is Unraveling: Grant Freezes, DOGE Cuts, and What Fire Departments Stand to Lose
From the FEMA grant freeze to NIOSH layoffs and a DHS shutdown, the federal programs that fire departments depend on are under unprecedented pressure. A policy analysis of what's at stake.
Marcus TorresThe $19.8 Billion Fire Truck Antitrust War: What Every Department Needs to Know
From LA County to Milwaukee, cities are suing fire truck manufacturers over alleged price-fixing that doubled apparatus costs. A Senate hearing, bipartisan investigation, and Texas AG subpoenas have followed.
Capt. Ryan Calloway10 Firefighters Died in Training in 2025: The Most Preventable Crisis in the Fire Service
Ten training-related firefighter deaths in 2025 — mostly cardiac events — demand a hard look at medical clearance and training oversight.
Chief (Ret.) David KowalskiProtecting Your Home and Loved Ones: A Comprehensive Guide to Fire Safety in 2026
With U.S. fire departments responding to a home fire every 96 seconds and 3,920 fire deaths in 2024 alone, here's everything you need to know to protect your family.
Jessica LinThe NERIS Era Begins: The U.S. Fire Service Completes Its Historic Transition from NFIRS
As of February 1, 2026, NERIS is now the nation's only fire incident data system. Here's what changed, why it matters, and what every department needs to know.
Marcus TorresFirefighter Lateral Transfers: The New Free Agency
Departments are offering $20K sign-on bonuses to poach experienced firefighters — the lateral transfer market is reshaping the fire service.
Capt. Ryan CallowayThe 2026 Wildfire Outlook: Why Texas and the Southeast Face Above-Normal Risk
69% of the US is under drought, Texas wildfire response is 136% above normal, and La Nina is making it worse — here's the tactical outlook.
Marcus TorresWho Investigates When the Chemical Plant Explodes? The Fight to Save the CSB
The Chemical Safety Board nearly lost all funding in 2025 — here's why every firefighter should care about this obscure federal agency.
Lt. Sarah Mendez, EMT-PHeart Attacks Killed 48 of 76 On-Duty Firefighters in 2025
Cardiac events caused 63% of on-duty firefighter deaths in 2025 — here's the clinical data and what departments must do now.
Jessica LinFirefighting Drones and Robots: From Prototype to Frontline Deployment
The US firefighting drone market hit $302.7M in 2024 and robots are projected to reach $8.98B by 2034 — these tools are no longer prototypes.
Chief (Ret.) David KowalskiThe Volunteer Firefighter Crisis: 25% Decline and What Comes Next
Volunteer firefighter numbers have hit historic lows at 676,900, down 25% since 1984. The crisis demands policy solutions, not just recruitment campaigns.
Jessica LinHow AI Is Reshaping Fire Service Operations in 2026
From AI-enabled nozzles that extinguish fires 3x faster to predictive shift scheduling, artificial intelligence is transforming every corner of the fire service.
Capt. Ryan CallowayEV and Lithium Battery Fires: What Every Department Needs to Know
Lithium-ion fires generate their own oxygen and toxic gases. Here's what we're learning on the fireground and the tools that are changing our approach.
Capt. Ryan CallowayWhen 20 Wildfires Hit at Once: Inside Oklahoma's 200,000-Acre Disaster
In March 2025, over 20 simultaneous wildfires burned 200,000 acres across Oklahoma, killing 4 and destroying 500+ structures. Here's what happened.
Lt. Sarah Mendez, EMT-PPFAS in Your Turnout Gear: The Science, the Lawsuits, and What to Do Now
With 15,000+ PFAS lawsuits pending and new PFAS-free gear entering the market, here's what the science says and what your department should do today.
Marcus TorresAmerica's Firefighter Shortage Has Reached Crisis Levels
With 200,000 fewer volunteers than a decade ago and federal wildland positions 26% vacant, the staffing crisis is reshaping American fire protection.
Lt. Sarah Mendez, EMT-PMore Firefighters Die by Suicide Than in the Line of Duty
With 112 confirmed firefighter and EMS suicides in 2024 and actual numbers estimated 40% higher, behavioral health is the fire service crisis we must face.
Lt. Sarah Mendez, EMT-PFirefighter Cancer Is Now the #1 Killer in the Fire Service
Nearly 80% of IAFF line-of-duty deaths in 2025 were cancer-related. The data is overwhelming — and so is the case for action.
Jessica LinElectric Fire Trucks in 2025: Real Data From the Departments That Made the Switch
From Cary NC to Portland OR, departments running electric fire trucks are sharing real performance data — here's what they found.
Marcus TorresWildland Firefighter Pay Reform: The Permanent Raise Is Finally Here
After years of temporary fixes, federal wildland firefighters finally got permanent pay raises — here's what changed and who fought for it.
Chief (Ret.) David KowalskiThe Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act: What Every Firefighter Needs to Know
The landmark law adds 20 cancers to the PSOB presumption list, providing $461K+ in federal death benefits to firefighter families.
Capt. Ryan CallowayOne Year After the LA Firestorm: 16,000 Structures Gone and a City Still Rebuilding
A year after the Palisades and Eaton fires killed 31 and destroyed 16,000 structures, what have we actually learned?