Arborlook
Risk & Response by Arborlook Insights

Pesotum Fire Protection District

VOLUNTEER IL 1 Stations
2,644
Est. Population
124.3
Sq Miles
21
Density / Sq Mi
1
Census Tracts
Relatively Low
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 85.5 (Very High nationally), cold wave is your leading natural hazard. Focus on cold-exposure emergency response, warming center partnerships, and proactive wellness checks for vulnerable populations during extreme cold events.

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
Cold Wave TOP LIFE-SAFETY HAZARD 85.5 Very High $159K/yr $244K/yr
Heat Wave 85.2 Very High $141K/yr $142K/yr
Tornado 55.3 Relatively Moderate $63K/yr $87K/yr
Strong Wind 90 Very High $22K/yr $99K/yr
Lightning 62.3 Relatively High $17K/yr $18K/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 3 FEMA disaster declarations in the last 10 years, and 10 declarations in the last 25 years.

DateTypeTitle
2023-08-15Severe StormSEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
2020-03-26BiologicalCOVID-19 PANDEMIC
2020-03-13BiologicalCOVID-19
2013-05-10FloodSEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
2011-03-17SnowstormSEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM

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
5.6% (147)
Ages 5-17
18.5% (490)
Ages 18-64
54.8% (1,448)
Ages 65-74
11.3% (300)
Ages 75-84
8.2% (218)
Ages 85+
1.6% (41)
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
13.6% 14.4% 13.4% ≈ average
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to safety resources
7.3% 7.8% 12.5% ≈ average
Uninsured Rate
May delay medical care, leading to emergencies
15.5% 8.2% 8.3% 1.9x higher
Limited English Households
Language barrier to emergency communication
5.1% 0.5% 4.3% 9.3x higher
No Vehicle Access
Evacuation risk; higher EMS transport dependence
10.0% 4.9% 8.7% 2.0x higher
No Internet Access
Disconnected from digital emergency alerts
21.0% 13.4% 6.7% 1.6x higher

Economic Context

Median Household Income
$61,861
Peers: $74,267 · National: $89,476
Per Capita Income
$34,652
Peers: $36,445 · National: $44,519
Median Home Value
$126,500
Peers: $189,849 · National: $402,761

Fire Risk Factors

What this means for planning: 15.3% of households use wood as primary heating fuel. Prioritize public education on heating safety, chimney inspections, and proper clearance around wood stoves and fireplaces. Partner with code enforcement on rental property inspections during heating season.

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
58.1% 48.9% 36.3% slightly higher
Wood Heating
Wood stoves and fireplaces as primary heat
15.3% 8.9% 1.4% 1.7x higher
Vacancy Rate
Vacant properties at higher fire risk
10.7% 16.8% 10.3% 1.6x lower
Mobile Homes
Structural fire spread risk
16.5% 10.1% 5.8% 1.6x higher
Renter-Occupied
Higher turnover, variable maintenance
22.3% 13.6% 34.7% 1.6x higher

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: 21.1% 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
21.1% 19.9% 17.4% ≈ average
Disability Rate
Higher EMS utilization, specialized assistance needs
13.6% 14.4% 13.4% ≈ average
No Vehicle Access
Evacuation risk; higher EMS transport dependence
10.0% 4.9% 8.7% 2.0x higher
Uninsured Rate
May delay care, leading to emergencies
15.5% 8.2% 8.3% 1.9x higher
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to healthcare access
7.3% 7.8% 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
Pesotum Fire Protection District (You) IL 2,644 29.8 21.1% 7.3% 1
Moorefield Township Volunteer Fire Department OH 2,395 32.5 16.5% 6.7% 1
Freeport Community Volunteer Fire Department OH 2,395 32.5 16.5% 6.7% 1
Fcv Volunteer Fire Department OH 3,068 35.2 27.5% 7.3% 1
Bootjack Fire And Rescue MI 3,101 30.1 25.5% 6.2% 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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