Arborlook
Risk & Response by Arborlook Insights

Pierce County Fire District #26

VOLUNTEER WA 2 Stations
3,727
Est. Population
2.1
Sq Miles
1,785
Density / Sq Mi
1
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 95.9 (Very High nationally), avalanche is your leading natural hazard. Coordinate with regional avalanche centers, establish backcountry rescue protocols, and maintain technical rescue readiness for snow burial scenarios.

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
Avalanche TOP LIFE-SAFETY HAZARD 95.9 Very High $8.6M/yr $8.6M/yr
Cold Wave 84 Very High $297K/yr $297K/yr
Earthquake 85.4 Very High $110K/yr $624K/yr
Volcanic 99.1 Very High $69K/yr $141K/yr
Heat Wave 50.3 Relatively Moderate $54K/yr $54K/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 4 FEMA disaster declarations in the last 10 years, and 12 declarations in the last 25 years.

DateTypeTitle
2025-12-12FloodSEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
2020-09-09FireSUMNER GRADE FIRE
2020-03-22BiologicalCOVID-19 PANDEMIC
2020-03-13BiologicalCOVID-19
2012-03-05Severe StormSEVERE WINTER STORM, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES

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
6.2% (232)
Ages 5-17
17.3% (644)
Ages 18-64
59.3% (2,209)
Ages 65-74
13.3% (495)
Ages 75-84
3.9% (147)
Ages 85+
0.0% (0)
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
10.1% 18.5% 13.4% 1.8x lower
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to safety resources
5.2% 11.0% 12.5% 2.1x lower
Uninsured Rate
May delay medical care, leading to emergencies
8.5% 5.4% 8.3% 1.6x higher
Limited English Households
Language barrier to emergency communication
0.0% 1.2% 4.3% Infx lower
No Vehicle Access
Evacuation risk; higher EMS transport dependence
1.9% 3.7% 8.7% 2.0x lower
No Internet Access
Disconnected from digital emergency alerts
7.0% 6.8% 6.7% ≈ average

Economic Context

Median Household Income
$120,541
Peers: $75,554 · National: $89,476
Per Capita Income
$63,309
Peers: $41,907 · National: $44,519
Median Home Value
$572,400
Peers: $410,236 · National: $402,761

Fire Risk Factors

What this means for planning: 18.1% 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
32.0% 28.7% 36.3% ≈ average
Wood Heating
Wood stoves and fireplaces as primary heat
18.1% 18.6% 1.4% ≈ average
Vacancy Rate
Vacant properties at higher fire risk
24.7% 23.2% 10.3% ≈ average
Mobile Homes
Structural fire spread risk
4.9% 12.3% 5.8% 2.5x lower
Renter-Occupied
Higher turnover, variable maintenance
2.5% 22.0% 34.7% 8.7x 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: Your community demographics suggest moderate EMS demand. Focus on efficient response protocols, NFPA compliance tracking, and community paramedicine programs to expand your role in public health and preventive care.

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
17.2% 27.1% 17.4% 1.6x lower
Disability Rate
Higher EMS utilization, specialized assistance needs
10.1% 18.5% 13.4% 1.8x lower
No Vehicle Access
Evacuation risk; higher EMS transport dependence
1.9% 3.7% 8.7% 2.0x lower
Uninsured Rate
May delay care, leading to emergencies
8.5% 5.4% 8.3% 1.6x higher
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to healthcare access
5.2% 11.0% 12.5% 2.1x lower

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
Pierce County Fire District #26 (You) WA 3,727 98.8 17.2% 5.2% 2
Lowell Point Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department AK 4,544 99.9 12.9% 6.5% 1
North Bonneville Volunteer Fire Department WA 5,272 90.6 17.5% 7.1% 0
Kirkwood Volunteer Fire Department CA 3,824 94.5 24.6% 12.5% 1
Chelan County Fire District # 4 WA 3,132 99.4 33.0% 11.8% 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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