FIREFIGHTER DEATH AND FIREFIGHTER DEATH AND INJURY STATISTICSINJURY STATISTICS

US and NY STATEUS and NY STATE

The National PictureThe National Picture

Reality CheckReality CheckCivilian fatalities in the USCivilian fatalities in the US

1985 2006

7,395

3,245

Source: National Fallen Source: National Fallen Firefighters FoundationFirefighters Foundation

““Firefighter Life Safety Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives”Initiatives”

According to an NFPA review of national According to an NFPA review of national patterns, the average number of firefighter patterns, the average number of firefighter deaths to occur annually has dropped by deaths to occur annually has dropped by

one third over the past 30 years.one third over the past 30 years.

HoweverHowever FF deaths in structure fires have not FF deaths in structure fires have not decreased as much as civilian deaths or decreased as much as civilian deaths or

the number of total structure fires. This is the number of total structure fires. This is due to a marked increase in FF deaths due to a marked increase in FF deaths which occurred while operating inside which occurred while operating inside

structures.structures.

US Firefighter DeathsUS Firefighter Deathssource: NFPA Journal, July-August 2007source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2007

(not including 9/11/01 WTC deaths)(not including 9/11/01 WTC deaths)

On-Duty U.S. Firefighter Deaths, 1996-2006

96 9991

112

103 10397

105 103

87 89

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Nu

mb

er

of

De

ath

s

2005 2006

2006 US Firefighter Deaths: Career & Volunteer2006 US Firefighter Deaths: Career & Volunteersource: NFPA Journal, July-August 2007source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2007

(not including 9/11/01 WTC deaths)(not including 9/11/01 WTC deaths)

2731 33

38

2825

2925

2925 23

6559

49

70

58

66

50

5864

54

46

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Num

ber

of D

eath

s

CAREER

VOLUNTEER

2006

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

Training9% Responding to

or Returning from Alarms

20%

Fireground43%Other on-duty

21%

Non-Fire Emergencies

7%

US Firefighter Deaths by US Firefighter Deaths by Cause of Injury, 2006Cause of Injury, 2006

source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2007source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2007

U.S. Firefighter Deaths by Cause of Injury, 2006

Falls1%

Struck by or Contact with

Object31%

Caught or Trapped

22%

Other2%

Overexertion or Stress

43%

US Firefighter Deaths by US Firefighter Deaths by Nature of Injury, 2006Nature of Injury, 2006

source: NFPA Journal,July-August 2007source: NFPA Journal,July-August 2007

Burns10%

Other6%

Crushing3%

Internal Trauma29%

Sudden Cardiac Death39%

Stroke3%

Asphyxiation10%

US Firefighter Deaths by US Firefighter Deaths by Age & Cause of Death, 2006Age & Cause of Death, 2006

source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2007source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2007

2

17

0

3

0

11

0

10

2

9

4

1

6

3

7

4

7

5

7

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Number of Deaths

Age

Heart Attack

Non-Heart Attack

US Firefighter Deaths inUS Firefighter Deaths inMotor Vehicle Accidents, 1996-2006Motor Vehicle Accidents, 1996-2006

source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2007source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2007

19

97

19

99

20

01

20

03

20

05

14

4

7

3

10

1

10

2

10

1

7

113

4

8

5

10

3

9

1

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Year

Volunteer

Career

Background Information on Background Information on US Firefighter DeathsUS Firefighter Deaths

Sources:Sources:

National Fallen Firefighters FoundationNational Fallen Firefighters Foundation

National Fire Protection AssociationNational Fire Protection Association

US Fire AdministrationUS Fire Administration

2006 Firefighter Fatalities2006 Firefighter FatalitiesWho is dying?Who is dying?

Career firefighters (defined as those who are employed full-Career firefighters (defined as those who are employed full-time as firefighters) suffered 23 deaths in 2006.time as firefighters) suffered 23 deaths in 2006.

Volunteer firefighters accounted for 46 deaths.Volunteer firefighters accounted for 46 deaths.

Another 20 victims were civilian contractors or seasonal Another 20 victims were civilian contractors or seasonal employees of state or federal wildland agencies. There was employees of state or federal wildland agencies. There was also 1 death in an industrial brigade and 1 prison inmate died.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 median age of firefighters who died in 2006 was 43 years - the youngest was 17 and the oldest was 78.the youngest was 17 and the oldest was 78.

2006 Firefighter Fatalities2006 Firefighter FatalitiesWhere are we dying?Where are we dying?

NationallyNationally,, response/return is the 2response/return is the 2ndnd most most hazardous activity after fireground operations hazardous activity after fireground operations

as the most hazardous activityas the most hazardous activity

Of the 10 deaths in road vehicles, six victims were not Of the 10 deaths in road vehicles, six victims were not wearing seatbelts. wearing seatbelts.

Excessive speed was a factor in at least 5 of the Excessive speed was a factor in at least 5 of the crashes.crashes.

Three firefighters were killed when they were struck by Three firefighters were killed when they were struck by vehicles at the scene of an emergency. vehicles at the scene of an emergency.

2006 Firefighter Fatalities2006 Firefighter FatalitiesWhy are we dying?Why are we dying? Stress and overexertion Stress and overexertion

are still the leading killersare still the leading killers

The largest single cause of firefighter deaths in The largest single cause of firefighter deaths in 2006 was sudden cardiac events. 2006 was sudden cardiac events. Heart attacks Heart attacks caused the deaths of 37 on-duty firefighters.caused the deaths of 37 on-duty firefighters.

More than half of the firefighters that died in More than half of the firefighters that died in 2006 died from traumatic injuries such as 2006 died from traumatic injuries such as asphyxiation, burns, drowning, vehicle crashes, asphyxiation, burns, drowning, vehicle crashes, and other physical injuries. and other physical injuries.

2006 Firefighter Fatalities2006 Firefighter FatalitiesWhere are we dying?Where are we dying?

Nationally the highest number of firefighter Nationally the highest number of firefighter deaths occurred indeaths occurred in New YorkNew York

Across the U.S., rural responses are Across the U.S., rural responses are generally just as dangerous as urban / generally just as dangerous as urban / suburban fire response.suburban fire response.

New York State Line of Duty New York State Line of Duty Deaths and InjuriesDeaths and Injuries

Note: All figures are from NYS OFPC. Injury Note: All figures are from NYS OFPC. Injury stats are from the NYS Fire Incident stats are from the NYS Fire Incident Reporting System (report IIC series). Reporting System (report IIC series). Since participation is voluntary, the Since participation is voluntary, the numbers are incomplete and reflect only numbers are incomplete and reflect only reportedreported casualties. casualties.

New York State Line of Duty New York State Line of Duty Deaths, 1996-2006Deaths, 1996-2006

(not including 343 FDNY deaths 9/11/01 at WTC)(not including 343 FDNY deaths 9/11/01 at WTC)

9

18

16

8

5

11

7 76

16

11

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Year

Nu

mb

er o

f D

eath

s

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

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

Date of Death Last Name First Name Age Company/Dept Rank Type of Incident Cause of Death1/22/2006 Westervelt John Robert 57 Spring Valley VFD FF Post-fire Cardiac-related

3/3/2006 Schnibbe Robert, Jr. 57 Hastings-on--Hudson Batt.Chief Fire Command Undet.- Cardiac?3/12/2006 Lalosh Donald 49 Roxbury VFD FF Parade Cardiac-related3/15/2006 Reeve Deborah 41 FDNY EMT WTC-related Cancer

4/4/2006 Sullivan Richard 57 Horseheads VFD Chief Post-fire Cardiac related4/11/2006 Smith David 74 Howells VFD Capt Funeral detail Cardiac related

5/8/2006 Beach Michael 46 Saratoga Springs FF Cancer5/21/2006 Machajewski Gerald 62 Cambria VFD FF Resp. to MVA Cardiac-related6/11/2006 Strickland Lee ? Manhasset-Lakeville VFD Chief Cancer6/15/2006 Getschel Robert, Jr. 18 Floral Park VFD Probationary Cardiac related6/16/2006 Greene Michael 43 W. Babylon VFD FF Recov.equip after fire Electrocution6/18/2006 Tritscher Paul 54 Franklin Sq/Munson Pk VFD Ex-Chief Post-fire Stroke7/30/2006 Brady Paul 42 Malverne VFD FF Station app. Accid Trauma8/27/2006 Carpluk Howard, Jr. 43 FDNY Lt Suppression8/27/2006 Reilly Michael 25 FDNY FF Suppression8/28/2006 Ritter Wilbur 78 Sayville VFD Fire Police Resp.to alarm

9/4/2006 Prior David 50 Elbridge VFD Lt. Parade9/22/2006 Beyer John 38 Wilson VFD FF Post-fire Cardiac-related

11/26/2006 McClune Hector 76 Millerton VFD FF Grass fire12/6/2006 McCrary Frank 70 Moriah VFD Capt Funeral detail Cardiac-related

12/29/2006 Herbert Donald 34 Buffalo FD FF * Pneumonia* FF Herbert had been in a coma for almost 10 years after being injured in a roof collapse at a house fire.

2006 NYS Fire Service Injuries 2006 NYS Fire Service Injuries & Deaths by Activity & Deaths by Activity

Extinguishing/Neutralizing

25%

Apparatus or Driving/Riding

VehicleStation Activity

4%

Incident Scene Activity

8%

Access/Egress3%

EMS/Rescue12%

Suppression Support

22%

Other Activity, Undetermined

or No Response

16%

Apparatus or Driv ing / Riding Vehicle

9%Station Activ ity

4%

Incident Scene Activ ity8%

Access / Egress3%

EM S / Rescue13%

Suppression Support22%

Other Activ ity, Undetermined or No

Response13% Extinguishing /

Neutralizing28%

2006 NYS Fire Service Deaths2006 NYS Fire Service Deaths& Injuries by Type of Duty& Injuries by Type of Duty

Other Assignment, Undetermined or No

Response22%

Prevention, Inspection, Fire

Investigation2%

EMS8%

Suppression66%

Training2%

2006 NYS Fire Service Injuries2006 NYS Fire Service Injuries& Deaths by Cause& Deaths by Cause

Struck/Assaulted

6%

Contact with Object

14%

Exposure to Hazard

17%

Fall, Jump, Slip/Trip

19%

Other, Un-determined,

No Response25%

Overexertion/Strain19%

2006 NYS Fire Service Casualties by Symptom2006 NYS Fire Service Casualties by Symptom

Notes: Notes:

Burn Burn includes includes scald, scald, chemicalchemical

& electrical & electrical

OtherOther includes includes various various causes (each causes (each less than less than

1%), undeter-1%), undeter-

mined and no mined and no responseresponse

Undisclosed Sickness or Pain

3%

Stroke/Heat Stroke

2%

Cardiac/Respira-tory Arrest

2%

Other, Undetermined, No Response

30%

Burn4%

Shortness of Breath

2%

Smoke/Hazard-ous Inhalation

5%

Dislocation, Fracture, Strain, Sprain, Swelling,

Crushing25%

Cut, Puncture Wound, Bruise

27%

2006 NYS Firefighter Injuries & 2006 NYS Firefighter Injuries & Deaths by LocationDeaths by Location

Enroute to FD Location, call or medical facility

3%Other Locations,

undetermined or no response

17%

Returning from Incident

1%

At FD Location6%

At Scene or Medical Facility

73%

2006 NYS Fire Vehicle Accidents2006 NYS Fire Vehicle Accidents(source: NYS DMV)(source: NYS DMV)

There were a total of There were a total of 329 fire apparatus 329 fire apparatus accidents in 2006. accidents in 2006. One person died, One person died, and 276 were and 276 were injured. injured.

64 of the occupants 64 of the occupants were unrestrainedwere unrestrained (no harness, belt or (no harness, belt or air bag)air bag) at time of at time of accident. accident.

1142

186

FatalAccidents

Non-fatalPersonal

InjuryAccidents

AccidentsCausingProperty

Damage over$1000

NYS DMV Fire Vehicle Accident NYS DMV Fire Vehicle Accident Reports: Reports: Manner of Collision, 2006Manner of Collision, 2006

(accident not necessarily caused by FD driver)(accident not necessarily caused by FD driver)

18

160

21

SingleVehicle

Accidents

TwoVehicle

Accidents

ThreeVehicle

Accidents

Top human factors cited:Top human factors cited: (33) Failure to yield right of way(33) Failure to yield right of way(28) Driver inattention(28) Driver inattention(7) Following too closely(7) Following too closely(7) Unsafe speed(7) Unsafe speed(9) Passing or lane change (9) Passing or lane change

improperimproper

Top environmental factors cited:Top environmental factors cited: (7) Slippery pavement(7) Slippery pavement (10) Obstructed, impaired or (10) Obstructed, impaired or

limited view limited view

2006 NYS Ambulance Accidents2006 NYS Ambulance Accidents (source: NYS DMV)(source: NYS DMV)

There were a There were a total of 493 acci-total of 493 acci-dents, killing 5 dents, killing 5 and injuring 731.and injuring 731.

136 injured occu-136 injured occu-pants were pants were unrestrained unrestrained (no (no harness, belt or harness, belt or air bag)air bag) at time of at time of accident. accident.

1

341

164

Fatal Accidents Non-fatalPersonal Injury

Accidents

AccidentsCausingProperty

Damage over$1000

NYS DMV Ambulance Accident NYS DMV Ambulance Accident Reports: Reports: Manner of Collision, 2006Manner of Collision, 2006

(accident not necessarily caused by EMS driver)(accident not necessarily caused by EMS driver)

43

395

55

Single VehicleAccidents

Two VehicleAccidents

Three VehicleAccidents

Top human factors cited:Top human factors cited:

(68) Driver inattention(68) Driver inattention(76) Failure to yield right of way(76) Failure to yield right of way(21) Following too closely(21) Following too closely(27) Traffic control disregarded(27) Traffic control disregarded(21) Unsafe speed(21) Unsafe speed

Top environmental factors Top environmental factors cited:cited:

(17) Slippery pavement(17) Slippery pavement(10) Obstructed, impaired or (10) Obstructed, impaired or

limited viewlimited view

Based on:Based on:

NFPA ’s NFPA ’s “Firefighter Fatalities in the US, 2006”“Firefighter Fatalities in the US, 2006” and and “What’s Changed Over the Past 30 Years?”“What’s Changed Over the Past 30 Years?”

National Fallen Firefighters FoundationNational Fallen Firefighters Foundation“Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives” “Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives”

and statistical reports from NYS DMV & NYS OFPC. and statistical reports from NYS DMV & NYS OFPC.

Compiled by the Compiled by theLibrary, OFPC Academy of Fire ScienceLibrary, OFPC Academy of Fire Science

Thank you!Thank you!