Skip to agency navigation
Skip to main content

Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means it's official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Protecting Communities

    Pennsylvania routinely ranks among states with the highest number of fire fatalities. Together we can make our communities safer by preventing fire and preparing for emergencies. We’re committed to providing resources, training, and guidance to help reduce risk in all communities.

    Community street in Harrisburg in the spring.

    By understanding the unique risks within a community, fire departments and emergency management professionals can implement tailored solutions to prevent emergencies before they happen.

    What is Community Risk Reduction?

    Community risk reduction identifies local risks and develops strategies to reduce the likelihood of fire-related injuries, fatalities, and property damage in a community.

    Risk reduction is a proactive shift from responding to incidents to preventing them through education, enforcement, engineering, emergency response, and economic incentives.

    The 5 Es

    Effective risk reduction programs focus on the five Es:

    1. 1

      Education

      Raising awareness through fire prevention programs, school outreach, and community events.

    2. 2

      Engineering

      Implementing safety solutions, such as smoke alarm installations and fire-resistant building materials.

    3. 3

      Enforcement

      Ensuring compliance with fire codes, building regulations, and safety ordinances.

    4. 4

      Emergency Response

      Strengthening fire department capabilities to respond effectively to incidents.

    5. 5

      Economic Incentives

      Encouraging risk reduction through insurance benefits, grants, and tax incentives.

    Not Just for Fire Departments

    Community risk reduction requires a team effort and can include:

    Municipal Officials

    Can champion policies that enhance public safety and fund initiatives.

    Building & Codes

    Can conduct inspections and develop/ensure compliance with modern codes and construction standards.

    Zoning/City Planners

    Ensure proper street access for emergency vehicles, adequate water supplies, and fire-safe building layouts.

    Fire Departments

    Can implement risk-reduction programs in the jurisdiction and engage with community stakeholders. Can provide data and guidance for potential solutions.

    The Community

    Residents, business owners, health care providers, educators, and more can play an important role in making communities safer. 

    Get Started

    Getting started can feel challenging. That’s why we’ve laid out a step-by step approach to starting an effective community risk reduction program that puts the Five Es into practice. If at any point you need help, contact us.

    • Team leader: The leader must take responsibility for ensuring the overall success of risk-reduction efforts. The leader should be a strong coordinator and project manager and should be guided by data.

    • Team members: Often made up of key stakeholders and/or interested community members, the team is essential in doing the work required to advance risk-reduction initiatives. Not all teams are the same. In fact, the team should be built around your community’s specific needs. 

    • Gather local data: Work with fire departments, law enforcement, public health officials, and emergency management to identify top risks (fire incidents, medical emergencies, traffic accidents, etc.) in your area.

    • Analyze trends: Use reports from sources like PennFIRS (Pennsylvania Incident Reporting System), NFIRS (National Fire Incident Reporting System), EMS call data, and building code violations to understand recurring issues.

    • Fire departments and emergency services: They are essential for understanding risk patterns and community vulnerabilities.

    • Building and codes officials: Can help with prevention strategies through enforcement of safety regulations.

    • Public health and social services: Offer insight into vulnerable populations, like older adults or low-income residents, who may need targeted outreach.

    • Community organizations and schools: Can bring you greater involvement in education efforts.

    • Set clear objectives:  Define what you want to achieve, such as reducing home fire deaths, improving smoke alarm installations, or increasing CPR training.
    • Identify strategies: Consider efforts like home safety visits, updating codes or standards, business inspections, public education campaigns, or integrating safety messages into local events.

    • Start with quick wins: Distribute smoke alarms, conduct safety fairs, or launch a fire prevention campaign on social media.

    • Leverage existing programs: Enhance what’s already working, such as improving fire safety in schools or partnering with housing authorities for safer buildings. Use materials that are already developed, when possible [there’s a list of resources at the end of this page].
       

    • Track impact: Measure success through data (fewer fire calls, increased smoke alarm installations, etc.).

    • Adjust strategies: Use feedback from stakeholders and community members to refine the program.

    • Seek funding and grants: Explore state and federal grants to begin, sustain, and expand efforts.

    Funding Opportunities

    Resources