Arborlook
Risk & Response by Arborlook Insights

Union County West End

VOLUNTEER PA 1 Stations
1,949
Est. Population
62.4
Sq Miles
31
Density / Sq Mi
1
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 86.9 (Very High nationally), strong wind is your leading natural hazard. Focus on downed power line protocols, structural damage assessment, and coordination with utilities. Prepare for debris clearance and compromised roadway access.

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
Strong Wind TOP LIFE-SAFETY HAZARD 86.9 Very High $18K/yr $55K/yr
Heat Wave 20.9 Relatively Low $11K/yr $11K/yr
Tornado 37 Relatively Low $10K/yr $21K/yr
Lightning 54.5 Relatively Moderate $9K/yr $10K/yr
Cold Wave 25.9 Relatively Low $9K/yr $9K/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
2024-09-11Tropical StormTROPICAL STORM DEBBY
2020-03-30BiologicalCOVID-19 PANDEMIC
2020-03-13BiologicalCOVID-19
2012-10-29HurricaneHURRICANE SANDY
2011-09-12FloodTROPICAL STORM LEE

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
5.7% (112)
Ages 5-17
17.4% (339)
Ages 18-64
51.1% (996)
Ages 65-74
14.6% (284)
Ages 75-84
6.7% (131)
Ages 85+
4.5% (87)
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
11.3% 16.7% 13.4% slightly lower
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to safety resources
14.3% 12.3% 12.5% slightly higher
Uninsured Rate
May delay medical care, leading to emergencies
20.6% 5.5% 8.3% 3.8x higher
Limited English Households
Language barrier to emergency communication
0.0% 1.0% 4.3% Infx lower
No Vehicle Access
Evacuation risk; higher EMS transport dependence
6.9% 4.2% 8.7% 1.6x higher
No Internet Access
Disconnected from digital emergency alerts
12.3% 11.4% 6.7% ≈ average

Economic Context

Median Household Income
$68,611
Peers: $71,128 · National: $89,476
Per Capita Income
$32,381
Peers: $38,818 · National: $44,519
Median Home Value
$182,900
Peers: $190,947 · National: $402,761

Fire Risk Factors

What this means for planning: 16.7% 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
65.2% 52.3% 36.3% slightly higher
Wood Heating
Wood stoves and fireplaces as primary heat
16.7% 14.4% 1.4% slightly higher
Vacancy Rate
Vacant properties at higher fire risk
36.9% 34.0% 10.3% ≈ average
Mobile Homes
Structural fire spread risk
6.5% 11.3% 5.8% 1.7x lower
Renter-Occupied
Higher turnover, variable maintenance
21.3% 14.8% 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: 25.8% 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
25.8% 25.7% 17.4% ≈ average
Disability Rate
Higher EMS utilization, specialized assistance needs
11.3% 16.7% 13.4% slightly lower
No Vehicle Access
Evacuation risk; higher EMS transport dependence
6.9% 4.2% 8.7% 1.6x higher
Uninsured Rate
May delay care, leading to emergencies
20.6% 5.5% 8.3% 3.8x higher
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to healthcare access
14.3% 12.3% 12.5% slightly higher

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
Union County West End (You) PA 1,949 43.4 25.8% 14.3% 1
Franklin Fire Department NY 2,359 44.9 30.8% 12.2% 1
Hope Volunteer Fire Company NY 1,529 44.7 27.9% 9.7% 1
Schenevus Fire Department NY 1,498 37.8 31.7% 10.5% 1
Maple Springs Fire Company, Inc. NY 2,633 41.4 29.3% 9.6% 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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