Fire Department Hiring Staffing and Activity Info Only Report Oct PSJ.pdf

Note: Report was prepared as of September 24 and thus September data is a projection. 
Page 1 of 6 
 
 
 
With all public and private sectors, workforce challenges to attract and retain 
quality candidates are more important than at any other time. This new reality is 
consistent across the Fire Service. Firefighter recruitment requires proactive 
efforts to ensure that a highly trained, dedicated, and committed workforce exists 
to meet the growing needs of our community. (Testing frequency is based on the 
number of applicants and the number of full-time positions being recruited to ensure a robust 
candidate pool is available). 
 
Firefighter Applicants  
 
Training  
3,853 
2,477 
2,058 
1,880 
2,090 
1,348 
1,445 
1,271 
2,284 
1,621 
1,379 
1,190 
1,319 
896 
921 
730 
2013
2015
2016
2017
2019
2021
2022
2023
Applicants
Tested
Phoenix Fire Department 
Staffing, Hiring and 
Activity Report 
 
As of September 24, 2023 
Attachment A

Note: Report was prepared as of September 24 and thus September data is a projection. 
Page 2 of 6 
 
The Fire Department’s Training Section is considered one of the best programs for 
its commitment to ensuring that every Firefighter who graduates the Fire 
Academy is well-trained and prepared. 
Firefighter Recruits Trained 
 
The Fire Department works throughout the year to hire and train new firefighter 
recruits. We aim to ensure that all vacant sworn positions are filled quickly. With 
the fire academy lasting 14 weeks, we must plan for attrition and coordinate 
recruitment, hiring, and training to minimize vacancies. 
Sworn Staffing Levels 
 
 
69
123
29
104
68
135
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Maximum Recruits per Year: 150 Recruits

Note: Report was prepared as of September 24 and thus September data is a projection. 
Page 3 of 6 
 
Sworn Demographics 
The Fire Department is committed to values of diversity and inclusion and understands the 
value this brings to our department and our community. We are focused on the goal of 
ensuring our department reflects our community. The department connects with the different 
communities within the City of Phoenix and beyond through a collaborative approach such as 
with the multiple affinity groups. Affinity groups provide invaluable mentoring and support to 
new and current fire service members.  
 
Sworn Demographic Breakdown 
 
 
 
Male 95%
Female 5%
White 
68.3%
Black 
8.3%
Asian 
1.2%
Hispanic 
19.0%
Other 2.0%
American 
Indian/Alaskan 1.1%

Note: Report was prepared as of September 24 and thus September data is a projection. 
Page 4 of 6 
 
Call Response Times  
 
Because seconds count when responding to emergencies within the 
City of Phoenix, the members of the Phoenix Fire Department must 
arrive quickly when an emergency occurs. Response times are 
measured and monitored daily to ensure the system's health is known 
and drive how resources are deployed.  
 
Fire Department Emergency Response Times

Note: Report was prepared as of September 24 and thus September data is a projection. 
Page 5 of 6 
 
Call Volume Activity 
 
Overall emergency response activity levels are a key metric the fire service utilizes 
to understand how the system is performing and what capacity levels exist. 
Before 2023, activity levels have been on an upward trend for the past decade. 
While a two to three percent increase year over year has been the consistent 
trend, the year-over-year increase in 2021 and 2022 was significantly higher. After 
a careful review of dispatch protocols, the fire department has reduced the 
overall activity level of 2023 by an average of eight percent compared to 2022. 
 
Emergency Calls for Service Activity

Note: Report was prepared as of September 24 and thus September data is a projection. 
Page 6 of 6 
 
Transportation Activity 
 
The Phoenix Fire Department operates our own emergency patient transportation 
system. This system has been in place for almost four decades. This system 
ensures that the residents of Phoenix receive the highest level of care from the 
point of calling 9-1-1 to the hospital arrival. While the number of transports 
remained consistent for many years, the department has experienced an average 
increase of 20% more transports each shift.  
 
Emergency Transportation Activity