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Risk & Response by Arborlook Insights

Johnston Fire Department

CAREER RI 4 Stations
63,256
Population
24.3
Sq Miles
2,602
Density / Sq Mi
10
Census Tracts
Relatively Moderate
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 75.6 (Relatively High nationally), heat wave is your leading natural hazard. Partner with community facilities for cooling centers, develop wellness check protocols for vulnerable populations, and ensure personnel are trained on heat illness recognition and treatment.

Top 5 Hazards in Your Service Area

  • Heat Wave
    75.6 Risk Score Relatively High
  • Hurricane
    74.3 Risk Score Relatively High
  • River Flood
    69.7 Risk Score Relatively High
  • Landslide
    66.2 Risk Score Relatively High
  • Cold Wave
    56 Risk Score Relatively Moderate

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 7 FEMA disaster declarations in the last 10 years, and 17 declarations in the last 25 years.

DateTypeTitle
2024-03-20Severe StormSEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
2024-03-20Severe StormSEVERE STORM AND FLOODING
2024-01-07Severe StormSEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND TORNADOES
2022-05-12SnowstormSEVERE WINTER STORM AND SNOWSTORM
2021-08-21HurricaneHURRICANE HENRI

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
6.6% (4,204)
Ages 5-17
14.6% (9,215)
Ages 18-64
62.6% (39,589)
Ages 65-74
9.0% (5,672)
Ages 75-84
4.6% (2,888)
Ages 85+
2.7% (1,688)
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
14.1% 12.3% 13.4% ≈ average
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to safety resources
15.9% 8.8% 12.4% 1.8x higher
Uninsured Rate
May delay medical care, leading to emergencies
5.4% 4.0% 8.2% slightly higher
Limited English Households
Language barrier to emergency communication
9.0% 4.9% 4.2% 1.9x higher
No Vehicle Access
Transport-dependent for evacuation
9.5% 7.9% 8.5% slightly higher
No Internet Access
Disconnected from digital emergency alerts
4.8% 5.3% 6.6% ≈ average

Economic Context

Median Household Income
$82,081
Peers: $113,563 · National: $89,949
Per Capita Income
$38,575
Peers: $55,560 · National: $44,638
Median Home Value
$335,860
Peers: $494,184 · National: $402,984

Fire Risk Factors

What this means for planning: 20.3% 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
70.7% 60.6% 36.0% slightly higher
High-Risk Heating
Wood, fuel oil, coal
20.3% 25.5% 5.7% slightly lower
Vacancy Rate
Vacant properties at higher fire risk
6.9% 4.9% 10.3% slightly higher
Mobile Homes
Structural fire spread risk
0.1% 0.6% 5.8% 5.0x lower
Renter-Occupied
Higher turnover, variable maintenance
36.9% 32.5% 34.4% ≈ average

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: Economic barriers to healthcare access (poverty: 15.9%, uninsured: 5.4%) can lead to delayed treatment and preventable emergencies. Partner with federally qualified health centers and social services to connect vulnerable residents with primary care resources.

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
16.2% 17.4% 17.4% ≈ average
Disability Rate
Higher EMS utilization, specialized assistance needs
14.1% 12.3% 13.4% ≈ average
No Vehicle Access
Transport-dependent for medical access
9.5% 7.9% 8.5% slightly higher
Uninsured Rate
May delay care, leading to emergencies
5.4% 4.0% 8.2% slightly higher
Poverty Rate
Economic barrier to healthcare access
15.9% 8.8% 12.4% 1.8x 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
9
Schools (K-12)
19
Childcare Centers
6
Nursing Homes
34
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
Johnston Fire Department (You) RI 63,256 44.1 16.2% 15.9% 4
Bristol Fire Department CT 61,462 45 16.2% 10.7% 10
City Of Meriden, Department Of Fire And Emergency Services CT 60,545 35.4 16.2% 13.2% 6
Manchester Fire Department CT 59,635 36.1 15.5% 10.8% 12
Waltham Fire Department MA 64,902 41.7 15.8% 9.4% 9

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

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