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Risk & Response by Arborlook Insights

Wheatfield Fire Department

VOLUNTEER IL 1 Stations
10,124
Est. Population
35.4
Sq Miles
286
Density / Sq Mi
3
Census Tracts
Very 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 88.7 (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

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
Earthquake TOP LIFE-SAFETY HAZARD 88.7 Very High $582K/yr $1.8M/yr
Cold Wave 84.1 Very High $570K/yr $608K/yr
Heat Wave 84.2 Very High $398K/yr $398K/yr
Tornado 83.3 Very High $365K/yr $732K/yr
Strong Wind 96 Very High $202K/yr $548K/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 2 FEMA disaster declarations in the last 10 years, and 4 declarations in the last 25 years.

DateTypeTitle
2020-03-26BiologicalCOVID-19 PANDEMIC
2020-03-13BiologicalCOVID-19
2005-09-07HurricaneHURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
2002-05-21TornadoSEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES AND FLOODING
1982-12-13Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES & FLOODING

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
8.0% (810)
Ages 5-17
13.8% (1,398)
Ages 18-64
57.7% (5,844)
Ages 65-74
12.7% (1,287)
Ages 75-84
4.9% (495)
Ages 85+
2.9% (290)
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
11.6% 12.4% 13.4% ≈ average
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to safety resources
5.1% 5.8% 12.5% ≈ average
Uninsured Rate
May delay medical care, leading to emergencies
5.2% 3.8% 8.3% slightly higher
Limited English Households
Language barrier to emergency communication
0.1% 0.6% 4.3% 7.9x lower
No Vehicle Access
Evacuation risk; higher EMS transport dependence
2.9% 1.9% 8.7% slightly higher
No Internet Access
Disconnected from digital emergency alerts
8.7% 7.9% 6.7% ≈ average

Economic Context

Median Household Income
$86,947
Peers: $94,165 · National: $89,476
Per Capita Income
$49,545
Peers: $44,946 · National: $44,519
Median Home Value
$210,073
Peers: $257,325 · National: $402,761

Fire Risk Factors

What this means for planning: Focus fire prevention efforts on cooking safety (leading cause of home fires), heating equipment safety, electrical hazards, and smoke alarm installation programs. Target education toward renters and multi-family buildings where fire incidence is typically higher.

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
47.2% 33.9% 36.3% slightly higher
Wood Heating
Wood stoves and fireplaces as primary heat
0.7% 4.8% 1.4% 7.2x lower
Vacancy Rate
Vacant properties at higher fire risk
10.4% 6.0% 10.3% 1.7x higher
Mobile Homes
Structural fire spread risk
10.1% 5.5% 5.8% 1.8x higher
Renter-Occupied
Higher turnover, variable maintenance
17.2% 15.0% 34.7% slightly 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: 20.5% 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
20.5% 19.5% 17.4% ≈ average
Disability Rate
Higher EMS utilization, specialized assistance needs
11.6% 12.4% 13.4% ≈ average
No Vehicle Access
Evacuation risk; higher EMS transport dependence
2.9% 1.9% 8.7% slightly higher
Uninsured Rate
May delay care, leading to emergencies
5.2% 3.8% 8.3% slightly higher
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to healthcare access
5.1% 5.8% 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
Wheatfield Fire Department (You) IL 10,124 82 20.5% 5.1% 1
Blanchardville Ems WI 10,340 82.6 21.1% 4.5% 1
Ferdinand Fire Department IN 9,077 82.2 21.7% 7.4% 2
Marine Fire Protection District IL 11,235 82.4 20.1% 5.0% 1
Grantfork Volunteer Fire Department IL 10,566 86 17.5% 5.4% 3

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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