State-of-the-industry survey

With the fire service facing a perfect storm of stressors, from a staffing crisis to expanding scope of work requirements and mental health challenges, we once again ask the vital question, “What do firefighters want?” The short answer: stress relief and staffing.
More than 2,100 firefighters completed the What Firefighters Want in 2023 state-of-the-industry survey, revealing some alarming statistics related to their feelings about the job.

The What Firefighters Want in 2023 special coverage series explores the root of firefighters’ stress, the impact of staffing challenges, how supervisor stress affects the entire crew, guidance for managing personal and professional stress, information about recruitment and retention solutions, insights into how stress affects the family unit, and much more to help firefighters and officers alike navigate the perfect storm of stress.

Thank you to the International Public Safety Data Institute for its data analysis support and the IAFC for its promotional support.