Arborlook
Risk & Response by Arborlook Insights

Benson Fire Department

VOLUNTEER AZ 2 Stations
137,299
Est. Population
6321.2
Sq Miles
22
Density / Sq Mi
40
Census Tracts
Relatively High
NRI Risk Rating

Service Area Overview

Your department boundary, station locations, and overall NRI risk scores by census tract. Use the sections below to explore specific hazards, fire risk indicators, and EMS demand drivers across your service area.

Service area, population, and census tract assignments are based on department boundaries from NERIS Public. Boundary accuracy varies by jurisdiction.

Natural Hazard Risk

What this means for planning: With a risk score of 97.8 (Very High nationally), heat wave is your leading natural hazard. Partner with community facilities for cooling centers, develop wellness check protocols for vulnerable populations, and ensure personnel are trained on heat illness recognition and treatment.

Top 5 Hazards in Your Service Area

Sorted by life-safety impact. Life-safety loss uses FEMA’s Value of Statistical Life ($13.7M per fatality or 10 injuries). NRI methodology

Hazard Risk Score Rating Life-Safety Loss
$/yr
Total Loss
$/yr
Heat Wave TOP LIFE-SAFETY HAZARD 97.8 Very High $23.6M/yr $23.6M/yr
River Flood 80.6 Very High $3.4M/yr $47.0M/yr
Lightning 90.5 Very High $1.8M/yr $1.8M/yr
Wildfire 94.1 Very High $1.3M/yr $21.2M/yr
Strong Wind 54.6 Relatively Moderate $300K/yr $694K/yr

How to read this map: Colors show absolute national risk levels (red = Very High nationally, green = Very Low nationally). These are objective hazard comparisons across all U.S. communities.

Historical Disaster Declarations

Your county has experienced 6 FEMA disaster declarations in the last 10 years, and 15 declarations in the last 25 years.

DateTypeTitle
2020-06-11FireBIG HORN FIRE
2020-04-04BiologicalCOVID-19 PANDEMIC
2020-03-13BiologicalCOVID-19
2017-06-11FireLIZARD FIRE
2011-06-12FireMONUMENT FIRE

Demographics & Vulnerability

Why This Matters

Your community's demographics shape everything: from where you need smoke alarm programs to how many of your calls are EMS. The data below identifies who generates the most emergency demand, who faces the greatest barriers during emergencies, and who benefits most from targeted CRR outreach.

Age Distribution

Age drives EMS call volume (highest utilization: 65+ and especially 75+, with elevated rates also among children under 5), shapes fire safety education priorities, and determines evacuation assistance needs. The dark marker on each bar shows the national average.

Under 5
4.9% (6,666)
Ages 5-17
15.5% (21,249)
Ages 18-64
55.0% (75,456)
Ages 65-74
14.2% (19,533)
Ages 75-84
8.6% (11,783)
Ages 85+
1.9% (2,612)
Your Community
National Average

Social Vulnerability Indicators

These indicators identify populations that need additional support during emergencies, face barriers to self-evacuation or medical access, and benefit most from proactive CRR programming.

Vulnerability Factor Your Community Peer Average National Average vs. Peers
Disability Rate
Higher EMS utilization, evacuation assistance needs, accessible communication requirements
18.8% 18.8% 13.4% ≈ average
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to safety resources
14.5% 14.2% 12.5% ≈ average
Uninsured Rate
May delay medical care, leading to emergencies
7.8% 9.0% 8.3% ≈ average
Limited English Households
Language barrier to emergency communication
4.5% 3.9% 4.3% ≈ average
No Vehicle Access
Evacuation risk; higher EMS transport dependence
5.0% 4.6% 8.7% ≈ average
No Internet Access
Disconnected from digital emergency alerts
8.8% 8.3% 6.7% ≈ average

Economic Context

Median Household Income
$66,861
Peers: $69,352 · National: $89,476
Per Capita Income
$34,116
Peers: $33,896 · National: $44,519
Median Home Value
$222,897
Peers: $247,455 · National: $402,761

Fire Risk Factors

What this means for planning: 13.9% of housing units are vacant, slightly higher the national average. Vacant properties have elevated fire risk due to lack of maintenance, unauthorized access, and delayed detection. Work with code enforcement on vacant property inspections and securing abandoned structures.

How to read this map: Colors show relative risk within your jurisdiction (red = highest-need tracts, green = lowest-need). Check the table below for overall levels vs. peers and national averages.

Risk Factor Your Community Peer Average National Average vs. Peers
Pre-1980 Housing
Pre-1980 construction standards
35.8% 17.7% 36.3% 2.0x higher
Wood Heating
Wood stoves and fireplaces as primary heat
2.1% 1.7% 1.4% slightly higher
Vacancy Rate
Vacant properties at higher fire risk
13.9% 13.5% 10.3% ≈ average
Mobile Homes
Structural fire spread risk
20.1% 19.8% 5.8% ≈ average
Renter-Occupied
Higher turnover, variable maintenance
27.3% 24.7% 34.7% ≈ average

EMS Risk Factors

EMS typically accounts for 60-80% of fire department call volume nationally. The demographics below are the strongest predictors of where that demand comes from in your service area.

What this means for planning: 18.8% of residents have a disability, slightly higher the national average. Residents with disabilities have higher EMS utilization and may require specialized evacuation assistance, accessible communication during emergencies, and coordination with social services. Consider functional needs assessments in pre-incident planning and partnerships with disability advocacy organizations.

How to read this map: Colors show relative risk within your jurisdiction (red = highest-need tracts, green = lowest-need). Check the table below for overall levels vs. peers and national averages.

Risk Factor Your Community Peer Average National Average vs. Peers
Population 65+
Highest EMS utilization group
24.7% 24.5% 17.4% ≈ average
Disability Rate
Higher EMS utilization, specialized assistance needs
18.8% 18.8% 13.4% ≈ average
No Vehicle Access
Evacuation risk; higher EMS transport dependence
5.0% 4.6% 8.7% ≈ average
Uninsured Rate
May delay care, leading to emergencies
7.8% 9.0% 8.3% ≈ average
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to healthcare access
14.5% 14.2% 12.5% ≈ average

Peer Comparison

Departments similar to yours in size, type, density class, and region. Peer benchmarks contextualize your community risk profile and support “demonstrated need” narratives in grant applications.

Department State Population Risk Score 65+ % Poverty % Stations
Benson Fire Department (You) AZ 137,299 80 24.7% 14.5% 2
Naco Fire District AZ 137,299 80 24.7% 14.5% 1
Saint David Fire District AZ 137,299 80 24.7% 14.5% 2
Willcox Fire Department AZ 137,299 80 24.7% 14.5% 2
Sunnyside Fire District AZ 137,299 80 24.7% 14.5% 1

Your Community Risk Profile Is Half the Story

This page shows what your community faces. Connecting your NERIS data shows the other half: where response is slowest in your highest-risk areas, whether you're meeting NFPA benchmarks, and how your CRR investments are performing against actual demand.

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