Fire incidents with First Unit Arrival on Scene within 6 minutes 20 seconds

Goal 2. A Healthy and Safe City
Description

Time critical elements in the rapid progression of a structure fire drive the need for rapid responses and early fire department arrival to reported fires. The time interval between fire ignition and the start of fire extinguishment efforts by the fire department has a direct relationship to the incident's outcome in terms of property loss, injury, and death.

In 2016 the Department implemented a new total response time benchmark. The Department’s new response benchmark is to have the first unit arrive at the scene of a fire emergency incident within 6 minutes and 20 seconds or less, total response time, of time of notification at the Emergency Communication Center 90% of the time.  A unit is considered first on scene only if it is staffed with three firefighters trained to the Virginia State Firefighter II certification level.  All CFD engines and trucks meet this criteria.  

While many industries and organizations measure performance based on averages or what occurs 50% of the time, fire departments often measure performance at the 90th percentile, or the point that marks when an event will occur 90% of the time.  Response times to emergencies are measured at the 90th percentile because of the critical nature of reaching patients and properties threatened by fire. 

Analysis

In 2017 the Department responded to a total of 232 fire incidents with the first due unit arriving within 6 minutes and 20 seconds 86.9% of the time. The fire department did not achieve its total response time benchmark in 2017.

Percentage of fire incidents with 1st unit arrival on scene within 6 mins 20 secs
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ChartCreated with Highcharts 5.0.12Chart context menuCY 2012CY 2013CY 2014CY 2015CY 2016CY 2017