While at the NFPA 2019 conference we attended an education session regarding US firefighter fatalities presented by Rita Fahy and Kurt Floyd.
- In 2018 there were 64 on duty firefighter deaths
- 34 were from volunteer fire departments and 25 or from career departments .
- There were 5 deaths from other federal or private fire departments.
Statistically, the most dangerous places to respond for firefighters were manufacturing and industrial locations.
Sudden cardiac deaths continue to make up a larger share of COD‘s.
Deaths at structure fires have decreased steadily since 1978.
It is imperative to keep mortality rates low for firefighters:
- Resources need to be available so that firefighters can understand overexertion and know their limits.
- Firefighters are able to gain a deeper understanding of situational awareness.
- Necessary tools and resources are made available so that firefighters can determine survivability when arriving on scene – determining whether the mission will be to rescue or to recover.
- Necessary educational resources are made available so that each department can successfully experience the physics and dynamics of fire behavior in training exercises.
Fire departments can set these goals and apply for grants to assist in meeting them through SAFER (Staffing…..) and AFG (Assistance to Firefighter Grants Program)
