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Can safety and aggression coexist on the fireground? The short answer: Yes. So then why does the debate continue to surface at conferences, on social media and at the kitchen table? Is it simply a matter of semantics — one person’s “aggressive” is another’s “reckless”? Is the conversation being driven by a vocal minority? Or is it a reflection of personal frustration among firefighters who view their department’s approach as overly cautious?
FireRescue1’s 2025 state-of-the-industry survey, sponsored by FirstNet, Built with AT&T, examined how firefighters view the relationship between safety and tactical aggression. The results reveal both alignment and disconnect.
At a high level, the findings are encouraging:
- 88% of respondents consider themselves to be aggressive firefighters.
- 97% identify as safe firefighters.
- 95% believe that safety culture and aggressive firefighting can coexist.
But scratch beneath the surface, and the picture becomes more complex. The data highlights fireground behaviors that don’t always match those bold assertions. And open-ended comments, particularly around safety culture, point to the need for more training that reinforces how aggressive tactics, when properly executed, contribute to a safer fireground — and how a strong safety culture enables firefighters to act aggressively with precision and purpose.
Fill out the form on this page to download the What Firefighters Want in 2025 eBook. Discuss it with your crew, and explore the What Firefighters Want resource page for additional analysis.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts through the survey. Your input is helping the fire service confront complex issues with clarity.