By what year had over 13,000 fire departments from multiple states reported fire incidents?

The year 1987 is significant because it marks a point in time when the awareness and reporting of fire incidents reached a critical threshold across numerous fire departments in multiple states. By this year, the adoption of standardized reporting mechanisms and increased emphasis on data collection enabled over 13,000 fire departments to effectively document and report fire incidents. This growth in reporting reflects a broader trend towards enhanced fire safety awareness and the understanding of the importance of statistical data in shaping fire prevention strategies and policies.

In contrast, prior years like 1985 and even as late as 1990, had not yet achieved this level of comprehensive reporting, highlighting the progressive improvements in fire department capabilities and public safety initiatives during this period. Although by 1995 more departments continued to report incidents, the significant milestone of 13,000 reporting departments was specifically noted in 1987, making it the correct answer for this question.