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Risk & Response by Arborlook Insights

Portland Fire Protection District

VOLUNTEER ND 1 Stations
9,774
Population
1578.0
Sq Miles
6
Density / Sq Mi
5
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 98.5 (Very High nationally), winter weather is your leading natural hazard. Prepare for snow and ice incidents, cold-exposure emergencies, and coordination with public works on emergency access. Establish warming center partnerships for vulnerable populations.

Top 5 Hazards in Your Service Area

  • Winter Weather
    98.5 Risk Score Very High
  • Ice Storm
    97 Risk Score Very High
  • Hail
    94.4 Risk Score Very High
  • Strong Wind
    88.5 Risk Score Very High
  • Cold Wave
    81.6 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 67 FEMA disaster declarations in the last 10 years, and 161 declarations in the last 25 years.

DateTypeTitle
2025-10-22Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND TORNADOES
2025-09-11Severe StormSEVERE STORM, TORNADOES, AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS
2024-02-15Winter StormSEVERE WINTER STORM AND STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS
2023-07-19FloodSEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
2023-07-05FloodFLOODING

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
6.3% (615)
Ages 5-17
16.4% (1,599)
Ages 18-64
55.3% (5,402)
Ages 65-74
11.6% (1,133)
Ages 75-84
6.4% (629)
Ages 85+
4.1% (396)
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
10.2% 13.3% 13.4% slightly lower
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to safety resources
9.8% 10.7% 12.4% ≈ average
Uninsured Rate
May delay medical care, leading to emergencies
4.9% 7.9% 8.2% 1.6x lower
Limited English Households
Language barrier to emergency communication
0.4% 1.0% 4.2% 2.3x lower
No Vehicle Access
Transport-dependent for evacuation
3.8% 4.2% 8.5% ≈ average
No Internet Access
Disconnected from digital emergency alerts
14.2% 12.4% 6.6% ≈ average

Economic Context

Median Household Income
$82,219
Peers: $71,867 · National: $89,949
Per Capita Income
$43,517
Peers: $36,852 · National: $44,638
Median Home Value
$184,386
Peers: $161,400 · National: $402,984

Fire Risk Factors

What this means for planning: 13.5% 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
66.3% 50.7% 36.0% slightly higher
High-Risk Heating
Wood, fuel oil, coal
10.5% 8.5% 5.7% slightly higher
Vacancy Rate
Vacant properties at higher fire risk
13.5% 18.4% 10.3% slightly lower
Mobile Homes
Structural fire spread risk
4.3% 7.8% 5.8% 1.8x lower
Renter-Occupied
Higher turnover, variable maintenance
25.0% 22.0% 34.4% ≈ 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: 22.1% 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
22.1% 21.7% 17.4% ≈ average
Disability Rate
Higher EMS utilization, specialized assistance needs
10.2% 13.3% 13.4% slightly lower
No Vehicle Access
Transport-dependent for medical access
3.8% 4.2% 8.5% ≈ average
Uninsured Rate
May delay care, leading to emergencies
4.9% 7.9% 8.2% 1.6x lower
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to healthcare access
9.8% 10.7% 12.4% ≈ average

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.

2
Hospitals
13
Schools (K-12)
8
Childcare Centers
7
Nursing Homes
30
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
Portland Fire Protection District (You) ND 9,774 57.5 22.1% 9.8% 1
Atkinson Fire And Rescue NE 10,102 66.3 22.9% 11.7% 1
Cavalier Fire Department ND 6,727 65.5 25.9% 9.2% 1
Chadron Volunteer Fire Department NE 8,140 66 19.7% 13.1% 1
Liberty Township Fire Protection District MO 6,908 58.1 23.5% 12.2% 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.

See the Response Dashboard

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