Fire Safety

Updated on: February 9, 2026 1 MINUTE READ Published on: Feb 03, 2023

The Fire Safety infographic showcases some history of fire fighting and the development of the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and some of its most important standards such as NFPA 70, NFPA 101 and NFPA 1.

FIRE SAFETY HISTORY

Infographic Transcription

SIGNIFICANT DATES IN FIRE SAFETY HISTORY / STATISTICS / IMPORTANT NFPA CODES

January 1, 1853
First Practical Fire Engine is Tested
Cincinnati, Ohio

April 1, 1853
First Salaried Fire Department Established
Cincinnati, Ohio

May 19, 1857
First US Patent on an Automatic Fire Alarm System Issued

November 6, 1896
National Fire Protection Association is Founded
Boston, Massachusetts

May 18, 1971
NFPA Standard 19B Requires SCBA* Use during Firefighting
*Self Contained Breathing Apparatus

2011
1,389,500 FIRES REPORTED
in the United States

686,000
Outside & Other Fires

484,500
Structure Fires

219,000
Vehicle Fires

THESE FIRES CAUSED

$11.7 BILLION PROPERTY DAMAGE
$9.7 Billion Structure Fires
$616 Million Outside & Other Fires
$1.4 Billion Vehicle Fires

17,500 CIVILIAN INJURIES
15,635 Structure Fires
675 Outside & Other Fires
1,190 Vehicle Fires

3,005 CIVILIAN DEATHS
2,640 Structure Fires
65 Outside & Other Fires
300 Vehicle Fires

Important Fire Safety Methods
NFPA is responsible for over 300 fire codes, some of the most important are:

NFPA 1
Fire Code: Advances fire and life safety for the public and first responders as well as property protection by providing a comprehensive, integrated approach to fire code regulation and hazard management.

NFPA 101
Life Safety Code: Establishes minimum requirements for new and existing buildings to protect building occupants from fire, smoke, and toxic fumes.

NFPA 70
National Electric Code: Accepted code for electrical installations.

Visit www.nfpa.org to learn more

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