Firefighters Unload Supplies for Suppression
Source: USFS
Number reflects an eight percent decline over 2022, but the second-highest number since 2013
June 18, 2024 - The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) has released its “Fatal Firefighter Injuries in the U.S. in 2023” report, which showed a total of 89 on-duty U.S. firefighter fatalities in 2023, representing an eight percent decline over the 97 fatal injuries in 2022. Of these deaths, 50 were volunteer firefighters and 30 were career firefighters; the nine non-municipal firefighter fatalities included five full-time state forestry rangers or technicians, one state forestry contractor, one full-time federal forest service firefighter, and two military firefighters.
The 89 firefighter fatalities in 2023 are higher than the totals in recent years; it’s also the second-highest number since 2013, when 98 on-duty fatal injuries were reported. However, much of the increase over the past two years reflects the inclusion of cardiac deaths and strokes or aneurysms occurring within 24 hours of duty, irrespective of manifested or reported symptoms while on duty. These deaths were previously not counted unless there was a specific physical complaint while the firefighter was on duty.
According to the newly released report, reductions in the number of fatalities among career firefighters accounted for most of the decline (23 percent), from 39 deaths in 2022 to 30 in 2023. In addition, while heart attacks remain the leading medical cause of death, there was a 20 percent decline in the number of career firefighter heart attacks - from 15 fatalities in 2022 to 12 in 2023.
The largest share of deaths (32 fatalities) occurred on the fireground while firefighters were operating at fires or explosions. Although this number reflects a downward trend in deaths since the late 1970s—when the number of fireground deaths annually averaged more than 80 per year—the 2023 total is higher than the average for the previous 10 years, and is the highest total since 2013, when 57 firefighters were killed in fireground incidents involving roof or floor collapses, falling objects, entrapment, or rapid-fire progress.
“The fatalities due to rapid-fire progression and structural collapses may be at least partially due to the fact that today’s fires burn hotter and faster,” said Jay Petrillo, a fire data analyst at NFPA and co-author of the report. “Fortunately, within the fire service there is certainly recognition of the importance of improving knowledge about fire behavior and fire dynamics in order to better protect firefighter safety and health.”
Overexertion and strain accounted for more than one-half (54 percent) of the fatalities in 2023, with the vast majority (48 fatalities) being sudden cardiac deaths. According to the report, fitness programs, annual medical evaluations, and medical monitoring are well-recognized preventive measures for cardiac health for all firefighters, but with the predominance of volunteer firefighters among the sudden cardiac deaths within 24 hours, additional areas of intervention are likely needed.
“While the overall downward trend in the annual number of firefighter fatalities is an encouraging indication that injury prevention efforts through the years are having an impact, there is a still a clear need for continuing attention to firefighter safety and health,” said Richard Campbell, senior research analyst at NFPA who co-authored the report with Petrillo. “Sudden cardiac deaths remain a critical concern, with the inclusion of deaths within 24 hours of duty bringing the issue into sharper focus.”
Trauma injuries accounted for approximately one-third of the deaths, including 18 firefighter fatalities in vehicle crashes, representing the highest number of vehicle crash fatalities since 2008. The report also shows that there were four multiple fatality incidents in 2023 that claimed the lives of more than one firefighter, with one incident claiming three lives and the remaining incidents each resulting in the deaths of two firefighters. While this represents a decrease over the six multiple-fatality incidents recorded in 2022, it is just the third time since 2014 when there were four or more multiple-fatality incidents.
This firefighter fatal injuries study is made possible by the cooperation and assistance of the United States fire service, CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the United States Fire Administration, the Forest Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Land Management of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global self-funded nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information, visit www.nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.
Source: NFPA
