Phoenix Fire Department Staffing and Response Time Update Report.pdf

Note: Report Data Through September 30, 2024. 
 
 
 
 
Fire Department Staffing 
 
The Fire Department administers hiring by forecasting attrition rates, managing 
recruitment efforts, hiring, and training cycles to minimize vacancies. Thanks to the 
continued prioritization and support of the Mayor and Council, the number of 
authorized sworn positions has continued to increase. For example per the graph 
below, in October of 2023, the number of authorized sworn positions was 1,812; in 
March of 2024, the number increased to 1,870.  
The increase of authorized sworn positions has included significant efforts such as 
timely hiring and training of sworn firefighters to correspond with new fire stations, 
apparatus, and equipment procurement. In addition, supplemental authorized sworn 
positions have been approved to enhance emergency transportation services (i.e., 
ambulances) throughout the City of Phoenix to address increased activity levels. 
 
 
Phoenix Fire Department 
Staffing and Response 
Time Update 
November 2024 
Attachment A

Note: Report Data Through September 30, 2024. 
 
 
 
Recruitment & Training 
 
The Fire Department recruits, hires, and trains new firefighters year-round to meet 
staffing needs. The Training Section ensures that each graduating firefighter is fully 
trained and ready to serve the residents of Phoenix. Testing frequency is determined 
by both the number of applicants and the full-time positions available, ensuring a 
strong candidate pool is consistently maintained. The table below compares testing 
and recruits trained in the past three years. 
 
Year 
Applicants Testing 
Applicants Passing Test 
Recruits Trained 
2024
600
407
154
2023
730
467
135
2022
921
634
68
 
Fire Department Sworn Staff Demographics 
 
A founding principle of the Fire Department’s recruitment and hiring efforts is that our 
membership reflects the diversity of our community. The Fire Department connects 
with various communities within the City of Phoenix and beyond through a 
collaborative approach that includes multiple affinity groups. These affinity groups 
provide invaluable mentoring and support for recruiting and mentoring new members 
and retaining and motivating existing members. 
 
Fire Department 
Demographics 
Maricopa County 
Demographics 
White
68%
White
54%
Hispanic
20%
Hispanic
31%
Black
8%
Black
5%
American 
Indian/Alaskan
1% 
American 
Indian/Alaskan
2% 
Asian
1%
Asian
4%
Other
2%
Other
4%

Note: Report Data Through September 30, 2024. 
 
 
 
 
 
Phoenix Fire Department 
 
 
Maricopa County 
 
 
White 68%
Black 8%
Asian 1%
Hispanic 20%
Other 2%
American Indian/Alaskan 1%
White 
54%
Black 5%
Asian 4%
Hispanic
31%
Other 4%
American Indian/Alaskan 2%

Note: Report Data Through September 30, 2024. 
 
 
 
 
Response Times & Call Volume 
 
Seconds count when responding to emergencies. Response times are measured, 
monitored, and managed daily to maximize coverage and resource deployment. The 
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) established response time standards for 
fire and emergency medical service delivery, and the Arizona Department of Health 
Services (AZDHS) established the response time standard for emergency 
transportation services. 
The chart below shows response times by Council District for critical emergency 
medical service (EMS) incident, first arriving engine to a fire incident, first arriving 
ladder to a fire incident, ambulance response times for critical EMS, total incident call 
volume for each Council District, citywide totals, and the associated standard. 
 
 
Critical 
(EMS) 
Incident 
First Arriving 
Engine to a 
Fire Incident
First Arriving 
Ladder to a 
Fire Incident
Ambulance 
Response 
Times for 
Critical EMS
Total 
Incident Call 
Volume  
Standard 
5:00 
NFPA 
5:20 
NFPA 
9:20 
NFPA 
10:00 
AZDHS 
 
District 1 
7:43 
5:12 
9:10 
10:32 
17,454 
District 2 
8:37 
5:41 
9:41 
12:07 
12,781 
District 3 
7:28 
6:51 
13:00 
9:42 
20,637 
District 4 
6:28 
5:00 
6:20 
8:28 
27,110 
District 5 
6:39 
4:34 
8:57 
8:47 
19,155 
District 6 
7:41 
5:25 
11:05 
9:58 
16,868 
District 7 
8:00 
4:50 
8:33 
10:23 
24,714 
District 8 
7:18 
5:24 
10:07 
9:30 
32,129 
Citywide 
7:26 
5:26 
10:05 
9:45 
170,848 
        Based on 90th percentile response times.

Note: Report Data Through September 30, 2024. 
 
 
 
Emergency Patient Transportation Activity 
 
The Fire Department has operated its emergency transportation service for nearly four 
decades. Comparing the monthly average activity levels for the past three years shows 
a continued increase in service demands.