The Raleigh Fire Department pays close attention to statistics related to the services we provide to the community. Statistics allow us to focus our efforts on geographical areas that may have a specific public safety need, and they help us keep track of resources that are needed to mitigate hazards. Thanks to statistics, we know to focus our fire and life safety education efforts on the areas of the city that show a need at any given time. They also guide us on safety topics we need to focus on in our communication efforts.
In the second quarter of 2023, the number of all fires increased by 22 percent, from 254 to 312. “This might seem like a larger jump, but it’s actually typical as we come out of the colder and wetter months and begin the spring windy and dryer conditions,” explains Capt. James Pearce.
Fires related to the two leading causes – unattended cooking and inappropriately discarded smoking materials – increased slightly. There were 51 cooking fires, compared to 45 during the first quarter, and 11 smoking material fires, compared to 10.
Financial losses that resulted from fires decreased slightly from $4.1 million to $4 million.
The Raleigh Fire Department responded to 8,211 EMS calls during the second quarter, which was slightly higher than in the first quarter (8,108).
| 2023 Quarter 2 Statistics | |
|---|---|
| All Fires ((including brush, vehicle, dumpsters, etc., along with residential and commercial properties) | 312 |
| -Residential Fires | 82 |
| -Commercial Fires | 21 |
| -Cooking Fires | 51 (50 percent of fires in buildings) |
| -Smoking Materials Fires | 11 (11 percent of fires in buildings) |
| Approximate Dollar Loss Due to Fire | $4 million |
| Fires Extinguised by a Sprinkler System | 8 |
| Fire Department EMS Responses | 8,211 (62% of all responses) |
