Attachment A - Fire Update.pdf

Note: Report was prepared as of September 30. 
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. The number of 
applicants for Firefighter recruitment has been relatively flat for the past three 
years. Firefighter recruitment will require 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 
2,477 
2,058 
1,880 
2,090 
1,348 
1,445 
1,271 
1,621 
1,379 
1,190 
1,319 
896 
921 
730 
2015
2016
2017
2019
2021
2022
2023
Applicants
Tested
Phoenix Fire Department 
Staffing, Hiring and 
Activity Report 
As of September 30, 2023 
Attachment A

Note: Report was prepared as of September 30. 
 
Page 2 of 6 
 
Training  
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 30. 
 
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Sworn Demographics 
The Fire Department is committed to values of diversity and inclusion and 
understands the value this brings to the department and community. Fire staff 
are focused on the goal of ensuring our department reflects the 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 30. 
 
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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 resource deployment.  
 
Fire Department Emergency Response Times

Note: Report was prepared as of September 30. 
 
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 performs 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. The 
department created another RBO subcommittee and made recommendations to 
update dispatch protocols. After months of monitoring these changes, the fire 
department reduced the overall activity level in 2023 by an average of eight 
percent compared to 2022. 
Emergency Calls for Service Activity 
 
Transportation Activity

Note: Report was prepared as of September 30. 
 
Page 6 of 6 
 
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 percent more transports each shift.  
 
Emergency Transportation Activity