By January 1, 2006, nearly 24,300 fire departments registered with the National Fire Department Census. This is about 81 percent of the total number of fire departments estimated to be in the United States.

The census database provides a current directory of registered fire departments and includes basic information such as address, department type, Web site, and number of stations and personnel. Additionally, headquarters telephone numbers and fax numbers are now available as part of the national and state download files. The survey also collects information regarding specialized services that will be released in summary format only at www.usfa.fema.gov/applications/census/summary.cfm

The USFA is continuously working to encourage more fire departments to participate in the census. The census form can be completed online at the USFA Web site or by downloading the census form and mailing it or faxing it using the address and fax numbers provided. To register, please visit www.usfa.fema.gov/applications/census/register.cfm

Fire departments currently registered with the census are able to update information for their department through the Web site. All new submissions and updates are reviewed by the USFA before they are included in the census.

For more information about the USFA National Fire Department Census, please visit www.usfa.fema.gov/applications/census/about.cfm or contact us USFA at www.usfa.fema.gov/applications/feedback/census.jsp