Why do we have so many, or so few, firefighters showing up at a house fire?

To safely and efficiently ensure all occupants are evacuated from the home and to extinguish the fire requires many simultaneous tasks to be accomplished.  Local experience, along with state and national standards have developed recommendations for the number of fire firefighting apparatus/equipment and staffing needed to perform the various tasks at a fire.  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1710 Standard recommends a minimum of 14-16 firefighters to safely make an interior attack of a fire in a two story, 2000 square foot, single family home without a basement.  Larger structures typically require more apparatus and personnel.