NAICS 922160 Quarterly Industry Report
Fire Protection
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 922160Sector: Public Administration (92)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Fire Protection (NAICS 922160) draws on data from the U.S. Fire Administration[2], Bureau of Labor Statistics[4], and the SBA[5]. Fair Market Value analysts examine fire department staffing, incident data, and equipment spending specific to NAICS 922160. Additional data is drawn from U.S. Census Bureau[6].. Quarterly updates reflect changes in fire service operations, staffing challenges, and federal grant programs across career and volunteer departments.
Industry Definition & Overview
Fire Protection (NAICS 922160) encompasses government establishments primarily engaged in fire prevention, fire suppression, firefighting, fire investigation, and other fire protection activities. This classification covers municipal fire departments, county fire agencies, state forestry and wildland fire divisions, and federal fire services. Volunteer fire departments organized under government authority also fall within this code.
The U.S. Fire Administration[2] estimates roughly 29,000 fire departments operate across the United States. Volunteer departments account for about 65 percent of that total, primarily serving rural and small-town communities. Career departments staff urban and suburban areas, with some of the largest employing thousands of firefighters; New York City Fire Department maintains approximately 11,000 uniformed personnel. Combination departments blending career and volunteer members serve many mid-sized communities.
Fire service responsibilities have expanded well beyond firefighting. Emergency medical response now accounts for the majority of calls in most departments, though EMS transport agencies are classified separately. Hazardous materials response, technical rescue, fire code inspection, and community risk reduction programs round out modern fire service missions. The Census Bureau's ASPEP survey[3] tracks fire protection as a distinct government function, while the Bureau of Labor Statistics[4] reports detailed occupational data for firefighters and fire inspectors across all employment settings and geographic regions.
What's Included in This Industry
- Municipal fire departments and fire districts
- County fire agencies and fire protection districts
- Volunteer fire departments organized under government authority
- State forestry and wildland fire divisions
- Federal wildland firefighting agencies (USFS, BLM fire crews)
- Fire prevention and code enforcement offices
- Fire marshal and fire investigation offices
- Airport rescue and firefighting (ARFF) units
- Hazardous materials response teams within fire agencies
- Fire training academies operated by government
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Public Administration | 92 |
| Subsector | Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities | 922 |
| Industry Group | Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities | 9221 |
| NAICS Industry | Fire Protection | 92216 |
| National Industry | Fire Protection | 922160 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 922120 | Police Protection | Police protection agencies that respond alongside fire departments to emergencies, traffic accidents, and public safety incidents requiring joint operations |
| 922190 | Other Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities | Other justice and public safety offices that coordinate with fire agencies on emergency management, dispatch operations, and multi-agency responses |
| 921190 | Other General Government Support | General government support establishments that provide procurement, personnel services, and administrative functions supporting fire department operations |
| 924110 | Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs | Air and water resource management agencies that coordinate with wildland fire divisions on prescribed burns and environmental protection measures |
| 921110 | Executive Offices | Executive offices that appoint fire chiefs, set public safety budgets, and establish emergency management policies guiding fire protection operations |
| 922140 | Correctional Institutions | Correctional institutions where fire protection services may be provided by local fire departments or internal fire suppression crews |
SBA Lending Summary
80
Total SBA Loans
$21.7M
Total Loan Volume
$271K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.19%
Average Interest Rate
1,216
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[1]
Key Insight: The U.S. Small Business Administration[5] does not establish size standards for NAICS 922160 because fire departments are government establishments. Private companies manufacturing firefighting equipment, providing apparatus, or offering training services are classified under their own NAICS codes. Those firms may qualify for SBA programs including the 7(a) loan program[7] and 504 loan program[8] based on their respective industry size standards.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Readycap Lending, LLC | 24 | $7.1M | $297K |
| 2 | Washington Trust Bank | 16 | $4.9M | $309K |
| 3 | Banner Bank | 8 | $4.0M | $500K |
| 4 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 8 | $3.8M | $470K |
| 5 | Vermont 504 Corporation | 8 | $1.3M | $165K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of fire agencies are classified under NAICS 922160?
NAICS 922160 covers all government fire protection agencies, including municipal fire departments, county fire districts, volunteer departments, state forestry divisions, and federal wildland fire crews. The Census Bureau[9] defines this as establishments engaged in fire prevention, suppression, and related activities.
How are fire departments structured across the United States?
The U.S. Fire Administration[2] estimates roughly 29,000 fire departments nationwide. About 65 percent are volunteer, primarily serving rural areas. Career departments staff urban centers, and combination departments blend both models. Federal agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management operate wildland fire programs.
Does the SBA set a size standard for NAICS 922160?
No. The SBA[10] does not establish size standards for Sector 92 codes because they cover government entities. Private firms selling equipment or services to fire departments use their own NAICS codes for SBA eligibility.
What NAICS codes are closely related to 922160?
Related codes include 922120 (Police Protection), 922190 (Other Justice and Safety), 924110 (Air and Water Resource Management), and 921110 (Executive Offices). The Census Bureau[11] places fire protection within the justice, public order, and safety subsector.
What private-sector industries commonly serve fire departments?
Engineering firms (NAICS 541330), IT vendors (NAICS 541512), training providers (NAICS 611519), and management consultants (NAICS 541611) frequently contract with fire agencies. Apparatus manufacturers, personal protective equipment suppliers, and communications equipment companies also serve this market.
What activities are included under NAICS 922160?
Activities include fire suppression, emergency medical first response, hazardous materials mitigation, fire code inspection, fire investigation, community risk reduction, and wildland firefighting. Many departments also handle technical rescue operations including water rescue, building collapse, and confined space emergencies.
Can businesses serving fire departments qualify for SBA loans?
Where are fire protection agencies concentrated?
Fire departments exist in virtually every community across the United States, from rural volunteer stations to major metropolitan career departments. The largest career departments are in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Houston. Wildland firefighting resources concentrate in Western states where fire risk is highest.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [2]U.S. Fire Administration usfa.fema.gov
- [3]Census Bureau's ASPEP survey census.gov
- [4]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [5]SBA sba.gov
- [6]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [7]7(a) loan program sba.gov
- [8]504 loan program sba.gov
- [9]Census Bureau census.gov
- [10]SBA sba.gov
- [11]Census Bureau census.gov
Disclaimer
This publication has been prepared by Fair Market Value (“Fair Market Value”) for informational purposes only. It is provided on an “as-is” and “as available” basis. Fair Market Value makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, completeness, or accuracy of the data or information contained herein. This publication is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, professional financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Users should consult with qualified professionals before making any financial or business decisions based on the information presented.
To the extent permitted by law, Fair Market Value disclaims all liability for loss or damage, direct and indirect, suffered or incurred by any person resulting from the use of, or reliance upon, the data in this publication.
Copyright © 2026 Fair Market Value. All rights reserved. All data, information, articles, graphs, and content contained in this publication are copyrighted works and Fair Market Value hereby reserves all rights. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded to a third party, or distributed without the prior written permission of Fair Market Value.