FIREFIGHTER DEATH AND INJURY STATISTICS

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FIREFIGHTER DEATH AND INJURY STATISTICS

• US and NY STATE
• 2007-2008

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The National Picture source NFPA Journal,
July-August 2008ANDUSFA Provisional Report
1/1/2008 to 12/31/2008
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Reality CheckCivilian fatalities in the US
7,395
Source National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives
1230 PM
1230 PM
3,430
1985
2007
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According to an NFPA review of national patterns,
the average number of firefighter deaths to occur
annually has dropped by one third over the past
30 years.

• However
• While civilian deaths and the number of total
  structure fires have fallen considerably, FF
  deaths which occurred while operating inside
  structures have fallen only about 20.
  Fire-fighters are doing a better of preventing
  civilian deaths than they are protecting their
  own lives.

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US Firefighter Deaths(not including 9/11/01 WTC
deaths)
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US Firefighter Deaths Career Volunteer1998 -
2008(not including 9/11/01 WTC deaths)
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US Firefighter Deaths by Type of Duty,
2008source USFA
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US Firefighter Deaths by Cause of Injury, 2008
source USFA
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US Firefighter Deaths by Nature of Injury, 2008
source USFA
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US Firefighter Deaths by Age Cause of Death,
2008source USFA
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US Firefighter Deaths inMotor Vehicle Accidents,
1998-2008
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Background Information on US Firefighter Deaths

• Sources
• National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
• National Fire Protection Association
• US Fire Administration

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2008 Firefighter FatalitiesWho is dying?

• Career firefighters (defined as those who are
  employed full-time as firefighters) suffered 46
  deaths in 2008.
  
• Volunteer and part-time paid firefighters
  accounted for 68 deaths.
  
• 41 of firefighter fatalities were under the age
  of 40.
  

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2008 Firefighter FatalitiesWhere are we dying?
Nationally, fireground activities are the most
hazardous. Response/return was third

• Of the 15 deaths in road vehicles, 2 victims were
  not wearing seatbelts.
  
• Additionally 13 were killed in wildland aircraft
  crashes.
  
• 6 firefighters were killed when struck by
  vehicles at the scene of an emergency.
  

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2008 Firefighter FatalitiesWhy are we dying?
Stress and overexertion are still the leading
killers

• The largest single cause of firefighter deaths in
  2008 were sudden cardiac vascular or cardiac
  events. Heart attacks caused the deaths of 46
  on-duty firefighters 4 died of cardiac vascular
  accidents.
• More than half of the firefighters who died in
  2008 died from traumatic injuries such as
  asphyxiation, burns, drowning, vehicle crashes,
  and other physical injuries.

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2008 Firefighter FatalitiesWhere are we dying?

• California had the heaviest loss of life this
  year, due to wildland fires.
  
• North Carolina Pennsylvania were 2nd and
  3rd highest.
  
• Across the U.S., rural responses are generally
  just as dangerous as urban / suburban fire
  response.

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New York State Line of Duty Deaths and Injuries

• Injury statistics for 2008 not yet final, so 2007
  is used.
  
• Note Injury stats are from the NYS Fire
  Incident Reporting System (report IIC series).
  Since participation is voluntary, the numbers are
  incomplete and reflect only reported casualties.
  FDNY deaths are included, but injuries are not.

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New York State Line of Duty Deaths, 1998-2008
(not including 343 FDNY deaths 9/11/01 at WTC)
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NYS Firefighter Deaths in 2008
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2007 NYS Fire Service Injuries Deaths by
Activity
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2007 NYS Fire Service Deaths Injuries by Type
of Duty
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2007 NYS Fire Service Injuries Deaths by Cause
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2007 NYS Fire Service Casualties by Symptom

• Notes
• Burn
• Includes chemical
• electrical scald
• Other
• includes various causes (each less than 1)
  undetermined and no response

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2007 NYS Firefighter Injuries Deaths by
Location
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2007 NYS Fire Vehicle Accidents(source NYS DMV)

• There were a total of 392 fire apparatus
  accidents in 2007.
  
• Three persons died (all driving non-fire
  vehicles) and 290 were injured.

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NYS DMV Fire Vehicle Accident Reports Manner of
Collision, 2007 (accident not necessarily caused
by FD driver)

• Top human factors cited
• (51) Failure to yield right of way
• (36) Driver inattention
• (13) Unsafe backing
• (13) Unsafe speed
• (12) Passing or lane change improper
• Top environmental factors cited
• (13) Slippery pavement
• (10) Obstructed or
  limited view
  

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2007 NYS Ambulance Accidents (source NYS DMV)

• There were a total of 546 accidents, killing
  one.
  
• 607 persons were injured (Includes EMS
  responders, patients,
  
• those in other vehicles, pedestrians, etc.)

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NYS DMV Ambulance Accident Reports Manner of
Collision, 2007 (accident not necessarily caused
by EMS driver)

• Top human factors cited
• (82) Driver inattention
• (66) Failure to yield right of way
• (32) Traffic control disregarded
• (27) Following too closely
• (23) Unsafe speed
• (23) Improper passing/lane use
• Top environmental factors cited
• (33) Slippery pavement
• (17) Animals action
• (16) Obstructed or limited view

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Based on Firefighter Fatalities in the US,
2007 and Whats Changed Over the Past 30
Years? published in NFPA Journal, July-August
2007, p.48-55 National Fallen Firefighters
FoundationFirefighter Life Safety
Initiatives USFA Provisional Report 1/1/2008
to 12/31/2008 and statistical reports from
NYS DMV NYS OFPC. Compiled by the
Library,NYS Office of Fire Prevention
ControlAcademy of Fire ScienceThank you!