FIREFIGHTER DEATH AND INJURY STATISTICS US and NY STATE

The National Picture

Reality Check Civilian fatalities in the US 7,395 Source: National Fallen Firefighters Foundation “Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives” 3,245 1985 2006

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 FF deaths in structure fires have not decreased as much as civilian deaths or the number of total structure fires. This is due to a marked increase in FF deaths which occurred while operating inside structures.

US Firefighter Deaths source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2007 (not including 9/11/01 WTC deaths)

2006 US Firefighter Deaths: Career & Volunteer source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2007 (not including 9/11/01 WTC deaths)

US Firefighter Deaths by Type of Duty, 2006 source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2007

US Firefighter Deaths by Cause of Injury, 2006 source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2007

US Firefighter Deaths by Nature of Injury, 2006 source: NFPA Journal,July-August 2007

US Firefighter Deaths by Age & Cause of Death, 2006 source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2007

US Firefighter Deaths in Motor Vehicle Accidents, 1996-2006 source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2007

Background Information on US Firefighter Deaths Sources: National Fallen Firefighters Foundation National Fire Protection Association US Fire Administration

2006 Firefighter Fatalities Who is dying? Career firefighters (defined as those who are employed full-time as firefighters) suffered 23 deaths in 2006. Volunteer firefighters accounted for 46 deaths. Another 20 victims were civilian contractors or seasonal employees of state or federal wildland agencies. There was also 1 death in an industrial brigade and 1 prison inmate died. The median age of firefighters who died in 2006 was 43 years - the youngest was 17 and the oldest was 78.

2006 Firefighter Fatalities Where are we dying 2006 Firefighter Fatalities Where are we dying? Nationally, response/return is the 2nd most hazardous activity after fireground operations as the most hazardous activity Of the 10 deaths in road vehicles, six victims were not wearing seatbelts. Excessive speed was a factor in at least 5 of the crashes. Three firefighters were killed when they were struck by vehicles at the scene of an emergency.

2006 Firefighter Fatalities Why are we dying 2006 Firefighter Fatalities Why are we dying? Stress and overexertion are still the leading killers The largest single cause of firefighter deaths in 2006 was sudden cardiac events. Heart attacks caused the deaths of 37 on-duty firefighters. More than half of the firefighters that died in 2006 died from traumatic injuries such as asphyxiation, burns, drowning, vehicle crashes, and other physical injuries.

2006 Firefighter Fatalities Where are we dying? Nationally the highest number of firefighter deaths occurred in New York Across the U.S., rural responses are generally just as dangerous as urban / suburban fire response.

New York State Line of Duty Deaths and Injuries Note: All figures are from NYS OFPC. 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.

New York State Line of Duty Deaths, 1996-2006 (not including 343 FDNY deaths 9/11/01 at WTC)

NYS Firefighter Deaths in 2006 (includes some which are still pending official determination as a LODD)

2006 NYS Fire Service Injuries & Deaths by Activity Other Activity, Apparatus or Undetermined Driving/Riding Station or No Vehicle Activity Response 4% 16% Extinguishing /Neutralizing Incident 25% Scene Activity 8% EMS/Rescue Suppression 12% Support Access/Egress 3% 22%

2006 NYS Fire Service Deaths & Injuries by Type of Duty

2006 NYS Fire Service Injuries & Deaths by Cause

2006 NYS Fire Service Casualties by Symptom Notes: Burn includes scald, chemical & electrical Other includes various causes (each less than 1%), undeter- mined and no response

2006 NYS Firefighter Injuries & Deaths by Location

2006 NYS Fire Vehicle Accidents (source: NYS DMV) There were a total of 329 fire apparatus accidents in 2006. One person died, and 276 were injured. 64 of the occupants were unrestrained (no harness, belt or air bag) at time of accident.

NYS DMV Fire Vehicle Accident Reports: Manner of Collision, 2006 (accident not necessarily caused by FD driver) Top human factors cited: (33) Failure to yield right of way (28) Driver inattention (7) Following too closely (7) Unsafe speed (9) Passing or lane change improper Top environmental factors cited: (7) Slippery pavement (10) Obstructed, impaired or limited view

2006 NYS Ambulance Accidents (source: NYS DMV) There were a total of 493 acci-dents, killing 5 and injuring 731. 136 injured occu-pants were unrestrained (no harness, belt or air bag) at time of accident.

NYS DMV Ambulance Accident Reports: Manner of Collision, 2006 (accident not necessarily caused by EMS driver) Top human factors cited: (68) Driver inattention (76) Failure to yield right of way (21) Following too closely (27) Traffic control disregarded (21) Unsafe speed Top environmental factors cited: (17) Slippery pavement (10) Obstructed, impaired or limited view

Based on: NFPA ’s “Firefighter Fatalities in the US, 2006” and “What’s Changed Over the Past 30 Years?” National Fallen Firefighters Foundation “Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives” and statistical reports from NYS DMV & NYS OFPC. Compiled by the Library, OFPC Academy of Fire Science Thank you!