Needs Assessment survey deadline extension
The deadline for U.S. fire departments to complete the 2025 U.S. Needs Assessment survey has been extended to February 15, 2026.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announced the extension and said it is intended to increase participation and strengthen the response rate.
Shelby Hall, fire analysis research manager with NFPA’s Fire Analysis and Research Division, said: “The U.S. Needs Assessment survey provides one of the single most effective opportunities for fire departments to make their needs and challenges known amongst the very groups and policymakers that determine where fire department funding and resources are allocated.
“That’s why participation from every fire department across the country is critical to its success and impact.”
Survey scope, changes and how it is completed
The survey is conducted every five years to capture current resources and staffing levels among U.S. fire departments, and to identify where they can meet community needs and where gaps exist.
Hall said: “The response rate for the 2020 survey was the lowest to date across all U.S. Needs Assessment surveys, which was not unexpected given the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Increasing the response rate for the new survey will help ensure that the final 2025 U.S. Needs Assessment report continues to be the impactful resource it has been since its launch in 2001.”
NFPA said it worked with representatives from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to identify current issues and challenges.
The release said more than 40 changes were made to the 2025 survey, including new questions about responses to lithium-ion battery fires and specialised rescue operations, plus updated questions on physical and behavioral health, medical programmes and community risk reduction.
The overall number of questions was reduced to make completion less time-consuming.
The survey can be completed online, and a print version was also mailed out.
The survey must be completed by a fire department chief or an assigned designee and returned to NFPA by February 15, 2026.