By FireRescue1 Staff
FRISCO, Texas — FireRescue1 has launched its annual What Firefighters Want survey, with this year’s theme focused on firefighter training.
The survey will be used to inform FireRescue1’s state-of-the-industry annual report, which will be published in August 2026 and feature expert analysis from fire service leaders.
TAKE THE WHAT FIREFIGHTERS WANT SURVEY HERE.
FireRescue1 Editor-in-Chief Janelle Foskett explained why the team chose to target firefighter training for the 2026 survey: “We’re taking a back-to-basics approach this year by focusing on one foundational piece of every firefighter’s professional experience — training. We want to understand not just how often firefighters are training, but whether that training is realistic, relevant and supported by leadership. The insights shared through this survey will help spotlight gaps, highlight best practices and drive meaningful conversations about how departments prepare their members for the job ahead.”
Respondents should currently be active with a fire service agency to include career, volunteer, combination, and county/state/federal agencies in the United States or Canada. General references to “firefighter” include all ranks, from firefighter to fire chief.
The What Firefighters Want project is supported by the International Public Safety Data Institute (IPSDI), which helps with survey development and analysis efforts, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), which offers promotional support.
