Arborlook
Risk & Response by Arborlook Insights

Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department

VOLUNTEER NV 1 Stations
6,879
Population
5390.9
Sq Miles
1
Density / Sq Mi
4
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 98.8 (Very High nationally), wildfire is your leading natural hazard. Prioritize structure protection, evacuation route planning, and coordination with forestry agencies. Focus on defensible space enforcement, pre-positioning during red flag warnings, and community evacuation drills.

Top 5 Hazards in Your Service Area

  • Wildfire
    98.8 Risk Score Very High
  • Drought
    96.3 Risk Score Very High
  • Landslide
    95.4 Risk Score Very High
  • Winter Weather
    87.3 Risk Score Very High
  • Volcanic
    83.2 Risk Score Very High

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 51 FEMA disaster declarations in the last 10 years, and 86 declarations in the last 25 years.

DateTypeTitle
2025-08-02FirePEAVINE FIRE
2025-06-10FireMARIE FIRE
2024-11-11FireCALLAHAN FIRE
2024-09-07FireDAVIS FIRE
2024-08-12FireGOLD RANCH FIRE

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
5.1% (351)
Ages 5-17
13.3% (918)
Ages 18-64
57.7% (3,972)
Ages 65-74
15.9% (1,093)
Ages 75-84
7.1% (489)
Ages 85+
0.8% (56)
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
16.9% 17.2% 13.4% ≈ average
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to safety resources
13.4% 10.8% 12.4% slightly higher
Uninsured Rate
May delay medical care, leading to emergencies
10.3% 9.6% 8.2% ≈ average
Limited English Households
Language barrier to emergency communication
1.4% 1.2% 4.2% slightly higher
No Vehicle Access
Transport-dependent for evacuation
1.7% 3.6% 8.5% 2.1x lower
No Internet Access
Disconnected from digital emergency alerts
7.9% 8.8% 6.6% ≈ average

Economic Context

Median Household Income
$80,917
Peers: $68,373 · National: $89,949
Per Capita Income
$42,164
Peers: $37,832 · National: $44,638
Median Home Value
$422,137
Peers: $317,077 · National: $402,984

Fire Risk Factors

What this means for planning: 27.3% of households use high-risk heating fuels (wood, fuel oil, coal). Prioritize public education on heating safety, chimney inspections, proper fuel storage, and clearance around heating equipment. 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
36.2% 28.6% 36.0% slightly higher
High-Risk Heating
Wood, fuel oil, coal
27.3% 20.5% 5.7% slightly higher
Vacancy Rate
Vacant properties at higher fire risk
21.8% 23.6% 10.3% ≈ average
Mobile Homes
Structural fire spread risk
12.8% 16.7% 5.8% slightly lower
Renter-Occupied
Higher turnover, variable maintenance
12.4% 22.2% 34.4% 1.8x 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: 23.8% of residents are over 65. Older populations typically have higher EMS utilization rates. Consider community paramedicine programs for wellness checks, medication management support, and fall prevention education.

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
23.8% 25.1% 17.4% ≈ average
Disability Rate
Higher EMS utilization, specialized assistance needs
16.9% 17.2% 13.4% ≈ average
No Vehicle Access
Transport-dependent for medical access
1.7% 3.6% 8.5% 2.1x lower
Uninsured Rate
May delay care, leading to emergencies
10.3% 9.6% 8.2% ≈ average
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to healthcare access
13.4% 10.8% 12.4% slightly higher

Critical Infrastructure Protected

Hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and childcare centers require pre-incident plans and specialized evacuation protocols. These counts go directly into AFG/SAFER grant narratives and CPSE/CFAI Standards of Cover documentation.

0
Hospitals
2
Schools (K-12)
0
Childcare Centers
0
Nursing Homes
2
Total Facilities

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
Gerlach Volunteer Fire Department (You) NV 6,879 92.2 23.8% 13.4% 1
Rye Patch Volunteer Fire Department NV 6,487 88.6 17.3% 11.8% 1
Hulett Fire Department WY 7,455 90.2 22.9% 6.0% 2
Beaverhead Fire District #2 MT 8,303 92.5 21.4% 11.4% 0
Kooskia Volunteer Fire Department ID 7,063 99.3 34.3% 10.4% 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.

See the Response Dashboard

Already a subscriber? Log in →