Firefighter Fatalities Report

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Firefighter Fatalities, 2009-2011: Volunteer vs. Career

Compiled by

Dr. Gary Lichtenstein,

Quality Evaluation Designs &Assistant Chief, Bluff Volunteer Fire Department

Bluff, Utah

January 20, 2013

The author can be reached via email:

[email protected].

This report is available online atwww.QualityEvaluationDesigns.com. It may be copied and

distributed as long as the title and authorship are credited.

Recommended Citation: Lichtenstein, Gary (2013). Firefighter

Fatalities, 2009-2011: Volunteer vs. Career. Unpublished technical

report. Bluff, Utah: Quality Evaluation Designs.

mailto:[email protected]


http://www.qualityevaluationdesigns.com/






QED 1/2013 i Firefighter Fatalities 2009-2011

Why Study Firefighter Fatalities?

It’s not because of a morbid sense of curiosity that I study annual firefighter

fatality reports and the National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health

(NIOSH) investigations of firefighter deaths. I study these reports because

data tell stories, and to me, stories are lessons.

NIOSH investigations of firefighter deaths are the saddest reading you’ll ever

do. For the most part, firefighters don’t die saving children from burning

buildings. Most die in the most mundane of circumstances. A 54-year old fire

chief taking the tanker for its state inspection blows a front left tire, rolls,

and is ejected from the vehicle (Utah, 2005). A 55-year old fire marshal dies

completing a firefighting physical fitness test (Utah, 2011). A fire chief and

firefighter in Colorado die when their apparatus collapses a wooden bridge

(2008). I read each story, which is meticulously described in these reports,and I always ask myself, “Could that happen to us?” And the answer is

always, “Yes, it could.”

Firefighter deaths are relatively rare: 3 in 10,000 for volunteers; 2 in 10,000

for career firefighters. But these low frequencies would mean nothing if one

or more of those were from our department. Stories of firefighter fatalities

keep me awake—at night, yes. But more important, during calls. Many

firefighters who die on calls are victims of a lack of awareness, complacency,

or adrenaline trumping discipline and training. The vast majority ofvolunteer fatalities happen in the most mundane of circumstances, not in

the heat of battle, when we might most expect them, and that’s exactly the

point. These stories are in my mind as we work incidents, and sometimes

the thought of them makes me overly cautious. But really, I don’t think that’s

a pitfall in this business.

Firefighter injuries are far more common than deaths, why not study

injuries? Studying firefighter injuries is worthwhile. Yet, most reports of

firefighter injuries combine all firefighter classifications (e.g, volunteer andcareer).

1 Where volunteers’ injuries are separated out, the profile of injuries

and type of duty involved looks different from the types of duty and causes

1 Kartner, M. & Molis, J. (2012). U.S. Firefighter injuries, 2011. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection

Association (NFPA). (Available online at: http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files//PDF/OS.FFInjuries.pdf .) Also

see: FEMA (2011). Fire-related firefighter injuries reported to NFIRS. In Topical Fire Report Series, v.11,

issue 7, Oct. 2011. Emmitsburg, MD: U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). (Available online at:

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/statistics/v11i7.pdf .)

http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/OS.FFInjuries.pdf



http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/statistics/v11i7.pdf






QED 1/2013 ii Firefighter Fatalities 2009-2011

of firefighter fatalities.2 One confounding factor is that severity of injury is

not accounted for in the statistics. Minor and not so minor injuries that

might not get reported in one jurisdiction could be in another. Plus,

statistics regarding volunteers’ injuries are likely to be skewed by under-

reporting, due to the fact that worker’s compensation varies considerably

across jurisdictions and the stigma associated with reporting injuries may begreater among volunteers compared to career professionals. Firefighter

fatality statistics are more stark and reliable than injury statistics, and they

are accompanied by NIOSH investigations that give a fuller picture.

Annual firefighter fatality reports published by the U.S. Fire Administration

(USFA) usually combine volunteer and career statistics. I wondered whether

firefighter deaths varied based on these classifications? USFA offers a web

tool so that you can build your own report.3 It was with this tool that I

created reports that compiled data on volunteer and career firefighterfatalities from 2009-2011 (this report excludes data from part-time and paid

on call, industrial, and wildland contract, full-time and part-time firefighters).

We can’t predict firefighter fatalities. But most are preventable, and the

statistics highlight conditions under which death or injury are likely to occur.

The fire chief driving that tanker mentioned in the first paragraph (above)

could not have known that the front tire of the tanker he was driving would

blow. But the statistics tell us that climbing into any fire department

apparatus for any reason is a “watch out” situation. Such situations alwaysrequire heightened awareness, vigilance, and safety precautions. Volunteer

firefighters have different causes of death than do career firefighters. The

data analyzed in this brief report reveal “watch out” situations that can help

keep us all alive.

2 Kartner, M. (2013). An analysis of firefighter injuries 2009-2011. Quincy, MA: NFPA. (Available online at:

http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files//PDF/os.volunteerfirefighterinjuries.pdf .)

3 NFPA website, Statistics & Reports, Build a Report: http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-

fatalities/fatalityData/.

http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/os.volunteerfirefighterinjuries.pdf


http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/fatalityData/









QED 1/2013 iii Firefighter Fatalities 2009-2011

Executive Summary

By studying firefighter fatality statistics and investigations of firefighter deaths,

we can learn lessons that can save our own lives and those of our crews. This

report analyzed career vs. volunteer firefighter fatalities from 2009-2011.

Significant differences were found in the profile of fatalities for each

classification.

Volunteer firefighters comprise nearly 70% of the fire service, compared to 30%

career. Between 2009-2011, there were 153 volunteer firefighter fatalities,

compared to 103 career. Proportionally, volunteer firefighters die at greater

rates than career (3 in 10,000 volunteer, vs. 2 in 10,000 career). In 2011, rural

firefighters deaths (n=41) accounted for half of all firefighting deaths by type of

jurisdiction, compared to 42 deaths among urban/suburban firefighters.

Nearly twice the number of career firefighters die in On Scene Fires (40%)

compared to volunteers (23%). But, three times as many volunteers (12.4%) diein On Scene Non-Fire incidents as career firefighters (4%). Nearly 40% of

firefighter fatalities occur during non-emergency situations (e.g., returning from

incidents and training), compared to 48% for career firefighters. Heart attacks

remain the #1 killer of volunteer as well as career firefighters, causing 58% of

volunteer firefighter deaths and 43% of career firefighter deaths from 2009-

2011.

The older you get, the more likely you are to die firefighting. This is true for

both volunteer and career firefighters. Nearly 1/3 of all volunteer firefighterfatalities between 2009-2011 affected firefighters 61 years or older. Of course,

this statistic is linked to deaths by heart attacks and stress.

Taken together, these statistics underscore familiar caveats for volunteer

firefighters especially

Simply being a firefighter is a “watch out” situation. Stay extremely fit.

Cultivate heart-healthy habits. Get regular heart checkups.

Driving your own or a department vehicle to or from a call is a “watch

out” situation. Respond to and from incidents with caution and withouthaste. Wear seatbelts, always.

Paged incidents, training, and routine department activities, such as

maintenance, are all “watch out” situations. Stay alert every minute to

potential dangers faced by you and your crew.

If you see a dangerous or questionable situation: report it.

Stay disciplined—follow your training and ICS.



QED 1/2013 iv Firefighter Fatalities 2009-2011

Table of Contents

Why Study Firefighter Fatalities? i

Executive Summary iii

I. Volunteer vs. Career Firefighter Statistics: USA 1

II. How Firefighters Die 2

III. When Firefighters Die 4

V. Conclusions 5



QED 1/2013 1 Firefighter Fatalities 2009-2011

I. Volunteer vs. Career Firefighter Statistics: USA

By far, the fire service is comprised mostly of volunteers. Over 85% of all

fire departments are All or Mostly Volunteer , compared to about 15%

Career or Mostly Career .

All FireDepartments All Career

MostlyCareer

MostlyVolunteer

AllVolunteer

# Stations 30,145 2559 1865 5530 20,200

% Stations 100.00% 8.49% 6.19% 18.34% 67.01%

14.68% 85.35%

Source: National Fire Protection Association reports Fire Loss in the United States 2011 and U.S. Fire

Department Profile Through 2011

Volunteer firefighters comprise nearly 70% of the fire service, compared to

30% career. Between 2009-2011, there were 153 volunteer firefighter

fatalities, compared to 103 career. Proportionally, volunteer firefighters die

at greater rates than career (3 in 10,000 volunteer, vs. 2 in 10,000 career).

In 2011, rural firefighters deaths (n=41) accounted for half of all firefighting

deaths by type of jurisdiction, compared to 42 deaths among

urban/suburban firefighters (source: USFA Firefighter Fatalities 2011).

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

Career (n=344,050) Volunteer (n=756,400)

Percent Career to Volunteer

Firefighters in US (2009-2011)

Career (n=344,050)

Volunteer (n=756,400)




II. How Firefighters Die

Nearly twice the number of career firefighters die during On Scene Fires

(40%) compared to volunteers (23%). But, three times as many volunteers

(12.4%) die in On Scene Non-Fire incidents as career firefighters (4%). Thismight reflect the broad range of calls faced by rural, volunteer fire

departments, which may stretch volunteers’ training and resources.

Nearly 1/4, (22%) of volunteer fatalities occur responding to and returning

from calls, compared to only 3% for career firefighters.

Type of Duty Fatalities (2009-2011): Volunteer vs. Career

A greater proportion of volunteer firefighters (61.4%) die as a result of

emergency responses than do career firefighters (51.5%). These statistics

include heart attacks that occur during response, incident activities, and

after incidents. Nearly 40% of volunteer firefighter fatalities take place in

non-emergency situations, including training.

0.0%5.0%

10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%

40.0%45.0%

Volunteer

Career

45.0%

50.0%

55.0%

60.0%

65.0%

Volunteer Career

% of Fatalities Related to Emergency

Duty

Volunteer

Career




More volunteers die as a result of stress/overexertion than do career

firefighters. This statistic is clearly linked to the fact that more volunteers

are active on the fire ground than are career firefighters past age 61 (see

Time of Life graph, below). Heart attacks remain the #1 killer of volunteer

as well as career firefighters, causing 58% of volunteer firefighter deathsand 43% of career firefighter deaths from 2009-2011.

After Stress/Overexertion, the highest proportion of volunteer firefighter

fatalities is Vehicle Collision (12.5%), compared to rescue-related deaths

(trapped, exposure, collapse, out of air) among career firefighters (28%).

Other Causes of Fatal Injuries (2009-2011): Volunteer vs. Career

0.0%

20.0%

40.0%

60.0%

80.0%

Volunteer Career

Firefighter Fatalities by

Stress/Overexertion

Volunteer

Career

0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%

14.0%

Volunteer

Career




III. When Firefighters Die

The time of day of firefighter fatalities is similar among volunteer vs. career

firefighters, with the majority of firefighters dying from between 1:00-

5:00pm (1300-1700). The important statistic here is that firefighters die on

calls that take place around the clock.

Time of Day of Firefighter Fatalities (2009-2011): Volunteer vs. Career

The older you get, the more likely you are to die firefighting. This is true for

both volunteer and career firefighters. Nearly 1/3 of all volunteer firefighter

fatalities between 2009-2011 affected firefighters 61 years or older. In

other words, while 93% of career firefighter deaths occurred to firefighters

60 and younger, only 68% of volunteer deaths affected these age groups.

Of course, these statistics are linked to deaths by heart attacks and stress.

Time of Life when Firefighters Die (2009-2011): Volunteer vs. Career

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

Volunteer

Career

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

Volunteer

Career




V. Conclusions

Relatively few firefighters, career or volunteers, die in firefighting-related

incidents. Volunteers die predominately from stress/heart attacks, vehicle

collisions to and from the scene, and accidents on the fire scene in non-fire

situations. Career firefighters die predominately from stress/heart attacks

and fire-related operations. Rural firefighters comprise about half of all

firefighter fatalities.

Volunteer firefighters ages 41 and older are at the greatest risk of death

through stress/overexertion and heart attack. Career firefighters age 41-45

die about equally from stress/heart attack as from trauma and

asphyxiation. After age 45, stress/heart attack becomes a leading source of

death for career firefighters as well.4 Volunteer firefighters over 61

comprised nearly 30% of volunteer firefighter fatalities from 2009-2011,

compared to career firefighters over age 61 (4%).

A more sophisticated analysis reveals a combination of factors that lead to

firefighter fatalities.5 In a research report, the authors identified four

clusters of factors that contributed to firefighter deaths from 2000-2005

(excluding NYC firefighters who perished in 9/11) .

Clusters of Factors That Contribute to Firefighter Line of Duty Deaths*Cluster # Factors In Cluster

1 Incident Command, Training, Communications, SOP, Pre- incident Planning

2 Emergency Vehicle, Personal Protective Equipment, Emergency Equipment

Failure, Human Error

3 Privately Owned Vehicle, Accidental, Civilian Error

4 Staffing/Crew Size, Standard Operating Guidelines,Health/Wellness/Fitness/Medical

*Adapted from Lori Moore-Merrell, Sue McDonald, Ainong Zhou, Elise Fisher, Jonathan Moore (2006).

Contributing factors to firefighter line-of-duty death in the United States: (2000-2005) , published by the

International Association of Firefighters (IAFF)--p. 13.

4 FEMA (2000). Firefighter fatalities in 2000. Topical Fire Research Series, v.1, issue 20, June 2000 (revised

December 2000) Emmitsburg, MD: U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). (Available at:

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/statistics/v1i20-508.pdf .)5 Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, Sue McDonald, Ainong Zhou, Elise Fisher, Jonathan Moore (2006). Contributing

factors to firefighter line-of-duty death in the United States: (2000-2005), published by the International

Association of Firefighters (IAFF), September 20, 2006; available at:

http://www.iaff.org/tech/pdf/contributing%20factors%20to%20ff%20line-of-

duty%20death_iaffand%20usfa.pdf .)

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/statistics/v1i20-508.pdf


http://www.iaff.org/tech/pdf/contributing%20factors%20to%20ff%20line-of-duty%20death_iaffand%20usfa.pdf









The authors analyzed the contribution of each cluster to firefighter

fatalities by age and career classification. In each age group (from Under 25

to Over 55) Cluster #4, which includes Health/Wellness/Fitness/Medical

comprised the largest contribution to firefighter fatalities in all age groups.

Cluster #4 alone was a contributing factor in 40% of Line of Duty Deaths(LODD), while Cluster #4 combined with #2 (which includes emergency

vehicle) added another 15%.

Firefighter fatality statistics underscore familiar caveats for volunteer

firefighters especially:

Being a firefighter, especially over the age of 31, is a “watch out”

situation. Stay extremely fit. Cultivate heart-healthy habits. Get

regular heart checkups.

Driving your own or a department vehicle to or from a call is a

“watch out” situation. Respond to and from incidents with caution

and without haste. Wear seatbelts, always.

Paged incidents, training, and routine department activities, such as

maintenance, are all “watch out” situations. Stay alert every minute

to potential dangers faced by you and your crew.

If you see a dangerous or questionable situation: report it.

Stay disciplined—follow your training and ICS.

Every firefighter injury and death is a tragedy. Underlying these numbers is

emotional and physical pain that can’t be reduced to numbers. Let’s stay

awake to the risks, use 360 degree situational awareness, and keep a sense

of proportion about what we’re doing every minute—not just on calls, but

during training, as well as equipment and vehicle maintenance. Our

mission is to protect lives and property, yes. But our #1 objective is that

everyone gets home safely, every time.

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