Arborlook
Risk & Response by Arborlook Insights

Oden-Pencil Bluff Volunteer Fire Department

VOLUNTEER AR 3 Stations
1,897
Population
82.4
Sq Miles
23
Density / Sq Mi
1
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 96.9 (Very High nationally), ice storm is your leading natural hazard. Prepare for extended power outages, downed trees and power lines, and cold weather sheltering. Establish warming center partnerships and coordinate with utilities on restoration priorities.

Top 5 Hazards in Your Service Area

  • Ice Storm
    96.9 Risk Score Very High
  • Landslide
    89.8 Risk Score Very High
  • Strong Wind
    89 Risk Score Very High
  • Wildfire
    88.9 Risk Score Very High
  • Lightning
    82.3 Risk Score Very High

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 15 FEMA disaster declarations in the last 10 years, and 30 declarations in the last 25 years.

DateTypeTitle
2026-01-24Winter StormSEVERE WINTER STORM
2025-05-21FloodSEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING
2025-04-05Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING
2020-08-27HurricaneHURRICANE LAURA
2020-04-03BiologicalCOVID-19 PANDEMIC

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
3.0% (56)
Ages 5-17
15.8% (300)
Ages 18-64
54.7% (1,038)
Ages 65-74
11.6% (220)
Ages 75-84
11.5% (219)
Ages 85+
3.4% (64)
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
31.8% 23.1% 13.4% slightly higher
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to safety resources
26.8% 18.9% 12.4% slightly higher
Uninsured Rate
May delay medical care, leading to emergencies
11.4% 14.5% 8.2% slightly lower
Limited English Households
Language barrier to emergency communication
2.4% 0.3% 4.2% 8.7x higher
No Vehicle Access
Transport-dependent for evacuation
4.6% 6.7% 8.5% slightly lower
No Internet Access
Disconnected from digital emergency alerts
17.8% 16.2% 6.6% ≈ average

Economic Context

Median Household Income
$39,786
Peers: $51,023 · National: $89,949
Per Capita Income
$23,992
Peers: $29,771 · National: $44,638
Median Home Value
$147,200
Peers: $129,033 · National: $402,984

Fire Risk Factors

What this means for planning: 26.5% of housing units are vacant — 2.6x 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
39.4% 24.9% 36.0% 1.6x higher
High-Risk Heating
Wood, fuel oil, coal
14.5% 4.0% 5.7% 3.6x higher
Vacancy Rate
Vacant properties at higher fire risk
26.5% 24.0% 10.3% ≈ average
Mobile Homes
Structural fire spread risk
29.2% 30.2% 5.8% ≈ average
Renter-Occupied
Higher turnover, variable maintenance
15.8% 19.4% 34.4% slightly lower

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: 31.8% of residents have a disability — 2.4x 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
26.5% 23.7% 17.4% ≈ average
Disability Rate
Higher EMS utilization, specialized assistance needs
31.8% 23.1% 13.4% slightly higher
No Vehicle Access
Transport-dependent for medical access
4.6% 6.7% 8.5% slightly lower
Uninsured Rate
May delay care, leading to emergencies
11.4% 14.5% 8.2% slightly lower
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to healthcare access
26.8% 18.9% 12.4% slightly higher

Critical Infrastructure Protected

Hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and childcare centers require pre-incident plans and specialized evacuation protocols. These counts go directly into AFG/SAFER grant narratives and CPSE/CFAI Standards of Cover documentation.

0
Hospitals
1
Schools (K-12)
1
Childcare Centers
0
Nursing Homes
2
Total Facilities

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
Oden-Pencil Bluff Volunteer Fire Department (You) AR 1,897 62.6 26.5% 26.8% 3
Rosston Fire Department AR 1,293 60 23.6% 20.8% 1
Yarborough Volunteer Fire Department AR 1,635 64.1 24.6% 27.9% 1
Sixth District Volunteer Fire Department AR 1,360 68.6 25.4% 21.8% 1
White Castle Volunteer Fire Department LA 2,132 63.6 20.8% 36.4% 4

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.

See the Response Dashboard

Already a subscriber? Log in →