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Risk & Response by Arborlook Insights

Solana Beach Fire Department

CAREER CA 1 Stations
11,244
Population
3.4
Sq Miles
3,278
Density / Sq Mi
4
Census Tracts
Relatively Moderate
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 85.1 (Very High nationally), earthquake is your leading natural hazard. Prioritize heavy rescue capabilities, building collapse protocols, and mutual aid for large-scale events. Coordinate with emergency management on critical facility assessments and community seismic preparedness.

Top 5 Hazards in Your Service Area

  • Earthquake
    85.1 Risk Score Very High
  • Landslide
    71.6 Risk Score Relatively High
  • River Flood
    59.4 Risk Score Relatively Moderate
  • Coastal Flood
    59.3 Risk Score Relatively Moderate
  • Wildfire
    48.1 Risk Score Relatively Moderate

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 12 FEMA disaster declarations in the last 10 years, and 35 declarations in the last 25 years.

DateTypeTitle
2024-02-19FloodSEVERE STORM AND FLOODING
2023-01-14FloodSEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
2023-01-09FloodSEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, AND MUDSLIDES
2020-10-16FireWILDFIRES
2020-03-22BiologicalCOVID-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
3.1% (343)
Ages 5-17
14.7% (1,648)
Ages 18-64
56.4% (6,345)
Ages 65-74
15.2% (1,711)
Ages 75-84
8.4% (943)
Ages 85+
2.3% (254)
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
8.8% 12.7% 13.4% slightly lower
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to safety resources
6.3% 9.6% 12.4% 1.5x lower
Uninsured Rate
May delay medical care, leading to emergencies
3.6% 5.9% 8.2% 1.7x lower
Limited English Households
Language barrier to emergency communication
1.3% 6.2% 4.2% 4.7x lower
No Vehicle Access
Transport-dependent for evacuation
5.7% 4.0% 8.5% slightly higher
No Internet Access
Disconnected from digital emergency alerts
1.3% 3.5% 6.6% 2.8x lower

Economic Context

Median Household Income
$138,807
Peers: $130,229 · National: $89,949
Per Capita Income
$96,400
Peers: $61,151 · National: $44,638
Median Home Value
$1,752,182
Peers: $1,004,627 · National: $402,984

Fire Risk Factors

What this means for planning: 14.4% 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
53.2% 37.8% 36.0% slightly higher
High-Risk Heating
Wood, fuel oil, coal
1.0% 0.2% 5.7% 6.3x higher
Vacancy Rate
Vacant properties at higher fire risk
14.4% 6.8% 10.3% 2.1x higher
Mobile Homes
Structural fire spread risk
0.2% 4.1% 5.8% 26.9x lower
Renter-Occupied
Higher turnover, variable maintenance
32.7% 41.9% 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: 25.9% of residents are over 65. Older populations typically have higher EMS utilization rates. Consider community paramedicine programs for wellness checks, medication management support, and fall prevention education.

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
25.9% 15.5% 17.4% 1.7x higher
Disability Rate
Higher EMS utilization, specialized assistance needs
8.8% 12.7% 13.4% slightly lower
No Vehicle Access
Transport-dependent for medical access
5.7% 4.0% 8.5% slightly higher
Uninsured Rate
May delay care, leading to emergencies
3.6% 5.9% 8.2% 1.7x lower
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to healthcare access
6.3% 9.6% 12.4% 1.5x lower

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
6
Schools (K-12)
9
Childcare Centers
1
Nursing Homes
16
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
Solana Beach Fire Department (You) CA 11,244 41.7 25.9% 6.3% 1
City Of Dupont Fire Department WA 9,931 63 10.3% 4.6% 1
Federal Fire Ventura County CA 13,240 88.6 18.1% 8.3% 2
Burlington Fire Department WA 10,103 91.9 16.1% 16.1% 1
El Segundo Fire Department CA 16,769 84.7 14.4% 5.3% 7

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

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