FIREFIGHTER FATALITIES

IN THE UNITED STATES-2014

Rita F. Fahy
Paul R. LeBlanc
Joseph L. Molis
June 2015

National Fire Protection Association

Fire Analysis and Research Division

FIREFIGHTER FATALITIES
IN THE UNITED STATES-2014

Rita F. Fahy
Paul R. LeBlanc
Joseph L. Molis
June 2015

National Fire Protection Association

Fire Analysis and Research Division

Abstract
In2014,atotalof64firefightersdiedwhileondutyintheU.S.,asignificantdecreasefromthe97
deathsthatoccurredin2013,whenthreeincidentsaloneclaimedatotalof32lives.Thelargestshareof
deathsoccurredatfirescenes(22deaths).Asinmostyears,suddencardiacdeathaccountedforthe
largestshareoftheondutydeaths(36deaths,or56percent).Deathsinroadvehiclecrashes,oftenthe
secondmostfrequentcauseofondutyfirefighterfatalities,continuedlowin2014.Withsevenfatalities,
thisisthesecondlowestnumberofcrashdeathsoverthepast30years.
Keywords:Firefighterfatality,statistics,heartattack,suddencardiacdeath
Acknowledgements
ThisstudyismadepossiblebythecooperationandassistanceoftheUnitedStatesfireservice,the
PublicSafetyOfficersBenefitsProgramoftheDepartmentofJustice,CDC'sNationalInstitutefor
OccupationalSafetyandHealth,theUnitedStatesFireAdministration,theForestServiceoftheU.S.
DepartmentofAgriculture,andtheBureauofIndianAffairsandtheBureauofLandManagementofthe
U.S.DepartmentoftheInterior.TheauthorswouldalsoliketothankCarlE.Peterson,retiredfrom
NFPA'sPublicFireProtectionDivisionandThomasHales,MD,MPH,ofCDCNIOSH,fortheir
assistanceonthestudy.
FormoreinformationabouttheNationalFireProtectionAssociation,visitwww.nfpa.orgorcall
6177703000.TolearnmoreabouttheOneStopDataShopgotowww.nfpa.org/osds

orcall
6179847450.
Copiesofthisanalysisareavailablefrom:
NationalFireProtectionAssociation
OneStopDataShop
1BatterymarchPark
Quincy,MA021697471
www.nfpa.org
email:osds@nfpa.org
phone:6179847450
NFPANo.FFD10
Copyright2015,NationalFireProtectionAssociation,Quincy,MA

2014Experience
In2014,64firefightersdiedwhileondutyintheU.S.Thistotalrepresentsasignificant
decreasefromthe97deathsthatoccurredin2013,whenthreeincidentsaloneclaimedatotalof32lives.
Bycontrast,in2014,thelargestmultipledeathincidentsweretwodoublefatalityfires,bothin
apartmentbuildings.Figure1showsondutyfirefighterdeathsfortheyears1977through2014,
excludingthe340firefighterdeathsattheWorldTradeCenterin2001.1Theannualaveragenumberof
deathsoverthepastdecadeis83.
Ofthe64firefighterswhodiedwhileondutyin2014,34werevolunteerfirefighters,23were
careerfirefighters,threewereemployeesofstatelandmanagementagencies,twowerestatecontractors,
onewasacivilianemployeeofamilitaryfiredepartmentandonewasamemberofanindustrialfire
department.2
Analysesinthisreportexaminethetypesofdutyassociatedwithfirefighterdeaths,thecauseand
natureoffatalinjuriestofirefighters,andtheagesofthefirefighterswhodied.Theyhighlightdeathsin
intentionallysetfiresandinmotorvehiclerelatedincidents.3Finally,thestudypresentssummariesof
individualincidentsthatillustrateimportantconcernsinfirefightersafety.
Introduction
Eachyear,NFPAcollectsdataonallfirefighterfatalitiesintheU.S.thatresultedfrominjuriesor
illnessesthatoccurredwhilethevictimswereonduty.Thetermondutyrefersto:

beingatthesceneofanalarm,whetherafireornonfireincident(includingEMScalls);
respondingtoorreturningfromanalarm;

participatinginotherfiredepartmentdutiessuchastraining,maintenance,publiceducation,
inspection,investigation,courttestimonyorfundraising;and

beingoncallorstandbyforassignmentatalocationotherthanatthefirefightershomeor
placeofbusiness.

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

Ondutyfatalitiesincludeanyinjurysustainedinthelineofdutythatprovesfatal,anyillness
thatwasincurredasaresultofactionswhileondutythatprovesfatal,andfatalmishapsinvolvingnon
emergencyoccupationalhazardsthatoccurwhileonduty.Thetypesofinjuriesincludedinthefirst
categoryaremainlythosethatoccuratafireorotheremergencyincidentscene,intraining,orincrashes
whilerespondingtoorreturningfromalarms.Illnesses(includingheartattacks)areincludedwhenthe
exposureoronsetofsymptomsoccurredduringaspecificincidentorondutyactivity.
Thetypeoffirefightersincludedinthisstudycanbe:

membersoflocalcareerandvolunteerfiredepartments;

seasonal,fulltimeandcontractemployeesofstateandfederalagencieswhohavefire
suppressionresponsibilitiesaspartoftheirjobdescription;

prisoninmatesservingonfirefightingcrews;

militarypersonnelperformingassignedfiresuppressionactivities;

civilianfirefightersworkingatmilitaryinstallations;and

membersofindustrialfirebrigades.

Fatalinjuriesandillnessesareincludedevenincaseswheredeathisconsiderablydelayed.
Whentheinjuryandthedeathoccurindifferentyears,theincidentiscountedintheyearoftheinjury.
TheNFPArecognizesthatacomprehensivestudyofondutyfirefighterfatalitieswouldinclude
chronicillnesses(suchascancerorheartdisease)thatprovefatalandthatarisefromoccupational
factors.Inpractice,thereisnomechanismforidentifyingfatalitiesthatareduetoillnessesthatdevelop
overlongperiodsoftime.Thiscreatesanincompletepicturewhencomparingoccupationalillnessesto
otherfactorsascausesoffirefighterdeaths.Thisisrecognizedasagapthesizeofwhichcannotbe
identifiedatthistimebecauseoflimitationsintrackingtheexposureoffirefighterstotoxic
environmentsandsubstancesandthepotentiallongtermeffectsofsuchexposures.
TheNFPAalsorecognizesthatotherorganizationsreportnumbersofdutyrelatedfirefighter
fatalitiesusingdifferent,moreexpansive,definitionsthatincludedeathsthatoccurredwhenthevictims
wereoffduty.(See,forexample,theUSFA

andNationalFallenFirefightersMemorial

websites.*)
Readerscomparingreportedlossesshouldcarefullyconsiderthedefinitionsandinclusioncriteriaused
inanystudy.

*USFAlinkisusfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/fatalities/index.shtm,NationalFallenFirefighters'Memoriallinkis
www.firehero.org/

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

TypeofDuty
Figure2showsthedistributionofthe64deathsbytypeofduty.Thelargestshareofdeaths
occurredwhilefirefighterswereoperatingatfires(22deaths),accountingforaboutonethirdoftheon
dutydeathsin2014.Thisisthesecondlowestnumberoffiregrounddeathssincethisstudybeganin
1977,andthethirdtimeinthelastfiveyearsthatthetotalhasbeenbelow25.Therehasbeenan
averageof31firegrounddeathsoverthepast10years(2005through2014).Thetotalin2014is
sharplylowerthanin2013,becauseofthetwomajorlossoflifeincidentsthatoccurredatfiresthat
year:theYarnellHillFireinArizonathatkilled19wildlandfirefightersinArizonaandthefireand
explosionatthefertilizerplantinWest,Texas,thatkilledninefirefighters.
Seventeenofthe22firegrounddeathsoccurredat15structurefires.Inaddition,therewerefour
deathsatfourwildlandfiresandoneatavehiclefire.Tenofthe22firegroundvictimswerevolunteer
firefighters,10werecareerfirefightersandtwowerecontractorswithstatelandmanagementagencies.
Theaveragenumberofcareerfirefighterdeathsonthefiregroundoverthepast10yearsis12deaths
peryear,whiletheaverageforvolunteerfirefightersis13deathsperyear.
Elevenfirefightersdiedwhilerespondingtoorreturningfromemergencycalls.Itisimportantto
notethatdeathsinthiscategoryarenotnecessarilytheresultofcrashes.Whilesixdeathsoccurredin
collisionsorrollovers,theotherfivewereduetosuddencardiacevents.Allcrashesandsuddencardiac
deathsarediscussedinmoredetaillaterinthisreport.Tenofthevictimswerevolunteerfirefightersand
onewasanemployeeofastatelandmanagementagency.Thenumberofdeathsthatoccurredwhile
respondingtoorreturningfromcallshasaveraged21peryearoverthepast10yearsand15peryear
overthepastfiveyears.The11deathswhilerespondingtoorreturningfromalarmsin2014makeup
thesecondlowesttotalsincethisstudywasfirstdonein1977.
Ninefirefightersdiedatnonfireemergenciesfiveatmedicalemergencies,onewhilechecking

outanautomaticalarmactivation,oneatthesceneofapartialbuildingcollapse,oneduringamissing
personsearchandoneatamotorvehiclecrash.Fiveoftheninesufferedsuddencardiacdeaths,two
werestruckbyvehicles,onewasstruckbyacollapsingcellphonetowerandonewastrappedinafloor
collapse.
Eightdeathsoccurredduringtrainingactivities.Suddencardiacdeathclaimedsevenfirefighters
twoduringWorkCapacityTests,oneduringairmanagementtraining,oneduringthefire
departmentsannualphysicalabilitytest,onewhilereturningfromanoffsitephysicalandagilitytest,
oneatthefirestationfordrivertrainingandoneduringwildlandfiretraining.Onefirefighterdiedof

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

influenzawhilehewasattendingtrainingoutofstate.
Theremaining14firefightersdiedwhileinvolvedinavarietyofnonemergencyrelatedonduty
activities.Elevenofthedeathswereduetosuddencardiacdeath.Eightofthe11wereengagedin
normaladministrativeorstationduties,onewasinvolvedinvehiclemaintenanceactivities,onehad
beencuttingdowntreesondepartmentpropertyandonewasclearingablockedculverttoassista
memberofthecommunity.Onewaskilledwhenhisaircraftcrashedwhileonpatrolcheckingfor
wildlandfires.Onediedwhenhisfiredepartmentvehiclecrashedashewasreturningittothestation
afteranunrelatedservicerepair.OnewaselectrocutedwhileassistingatanIceBucketChallengeevent.
CauseofFatalInjuryorIllness
Figure3showsthedistributionofdeathsbycauseoffatalinjuryorillness.Thetermcause
referstotheaction,lackofaction,orcircumstancesthatresulteddirectlyinthefatalinjury.4
Overexertion,stressandmedicalissuesaccountedforbyfarthelargestshareofdeaths.Ofthe
37deathsinthiscategory,35wereclassifiedassuddencardiacdeaths(usuallyheartattacks),onewas
duetoastrokeandonetoinfluenza.Seethesectionbelowformoredetailsonsuddencardiacdeaths.
Thesecondleadingcauseoffatalinjurywasvehiclecrashes,whichclaimedninelives.Another
threefirefighterswerestruckandkilledbyvehicles.Thesevehiclerelateddeathsarediscussedindetail
laterinthisreport.
Fivefirefighterswerecaughtortrappedbyrapidfireprogress(includingflashover)inthree
incidents.Alloftheseincidentswerestructurefires,includingthetwodoublefatalityincidents
mentionedabove.
Structuralcollapsesresultedintwodeaths.Onefirefighterwasinvestigatingareportedstructural
collapseatanapartmentbuildingwhenthewalkwayonthesecondstoryofthebuildingcollapsed
beneathhim.Theotherfirefighterwaskilledwhentheroofcollapsedatastructurefire.
Inseparateincidents,threefirefightersbecamelostinsidestructures.
Threefirefightersdiedinfatalfalls.Inseparateincidents,twofirefightersfellthroughthefloor
andintothebasementwhileonthefireground(oneduringoverhaulatadwellingfireandtheother
whilecheckingonanadjacentbuildingafterafire).Bothdiedofsmokeinhalation.Thethird
firefighterfellatafirecampduringawildlandfireanddiedoftraumaticinjuries.
Asmentionedearlier,onefirefighterwasstruckandkilledbyacollapsingcellphonetower.The
victimwasintheprocessofrescuingaconstructionworkerinjuredinthecollapseofonecellphone

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

towerduringmaintenancework,whenasecondtowercollapsedonhim.
NatureofFatalInjuryorIllness
Thetermnaturereferstothemedicalprocessbywhichdeathoccurredandisoftenreferredtoas
causeofdeathondeathcertificatesandinautopsyreports.
Figure4showsthedistributionofdeathsbynatureoffatalinjuryorillness.Asinalmostevery
yearsince1977,suddencardiacdeathaccountedforthelargestshareofthedeathsannually,with36
deaths.Suddencardiacdeathswillbediscussedinmoredetailinthenextsection.
Thesecondleadingnatureoffatalinjurywasinternaltrauma,with14deaths.Theothermajor
categoryoffatalinjurywasasphyxiationorsmokeinhalation,withninedeaths.Thereweretwodeaths
duetoburnsandonedeatheachduetoelectrocution,stroke,andinfluenza.
SuddenCardiacDeaths
In2014,the36suddencardiacdeathswithonsetwhilethevictimwasondutyisthehighest
since2008,andendsthegeneraldownwardtrendinondutysuddencardiacdeathsthatwasobserved
overthepast10years.Cardiacrelatedeventsaccountedfor56percentofthedeathsin2014.
Thenumberofdeathsinthiscategory,however,hasfallensignificantlysincetheearlyyearsof
thisstudy.From1977through1986,anaverageof60firefightersayearsufferedsuddencardiacdeaths
whileonduty(44.7percentoftheondutydeathsduringthatperiod).Thesearecasesinwhichthe
onsetofsymptomsoccurredwhilethevictimwasondutyanddeathoccurredimmediatelyorshortly
thereafter.Theaveragenumberofdeathsfellto44ayearinthe1990sandto34inthepastdecade.In
spiteofthisreduction,suddencardiacdeathstillaccountedfor44percentoftheondutydeathsinthe
lastfiveyears.Overall,suddencardiacdeathisthenumberonecauseofondutyfirefighterfatalitiesin
theU.S.andwithtwoexceptions(1984and2013),hasaccountedforthesinglelargestshareofdeathsin

anygivenyear.
NFPAhasseveralstandardsthatfocusonthehealthriskstofirefighters.Forexample,NFPA
1582,StandardonComprehensiveOccupationalMedicalProgramforFireDepartments,outlinesfor
firedepartmentsthemedicalrequirementsthatmustbemetbycandidatefirefightersandincumbentfire
departmentmembers.NFPA1500,StandardonFireDepartmentOccupationalSafetyandHealth
Program,callsforfiredepartmentstoestablishafirefighterhealthandfitnessprogramthatmeetsNFPA

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

1583,StandardonHealthRelatedFitnessProgramsforFireDepartmentMembers,andrequiresthat
firefightersmeetthemedicalrequirementsofNFPA1582.
Informationondevelopingawellnessfitnessprogramisavailablefromotherorganizations,for
example,theIAFC/IAFFFireServiceJointLaborManagementWellnessFitnessInitiative

andthe
NationalVolunteerFireCouncilsHeartHealthyFirefighterProgram.TheHeartHealthyFirefighter
Programwaslaunchedin2003toaddressheartattackpreventionforallfirefightersandEMSpersonnel,
throughfitness,nutritionandhealthawareness.

AgesofFirefighters
Thefirefighterswhodiedin2014rangedinagefrom21to84,withamedianageof52years.
Figure5showsthedistributionoffirefighterdeathsbyageandwhetherthecauseofdeathwassudden
cardiacdeathornot.
Suddencardiacdeathaccountsforahigherproportionofthedeathsamongolderfirefighters,as
mightbeexpected.Twothirdsofthefirefightersoverage40whodiedin2014,andalmostallofthose
overage60,diedofheartattacksorothercardiacevents.Itisinterestingtonotethattwoofthethree
deathsoffirefightersintheirlate20swereduetosuddencardiacevents.
Figure6showsdeathratesbyage,usingcombinedcareerandvolunteerfirefighterfatalitydata
forthefiveyearperiodfrom2010through2014andestimatesofthenumberofcareerandvolunteer
firefightersineachagegroupfromNFPAs2012profileoffiredepartments(themidyearinthe
range).5
Thelowestdeathrateswereforfirefightersunderage40.Theirdeathratewasabouthalfto
threefifthsoftheallageaverage.Therateforfirefightersaged60andoverwasthreetimestheaverage.
Firefightersaged50andoveraccountedforhalfofallfirefighterdeathsoverthefiveyearperiod,
althoughtheyrepresentonequarterofallcareerandvolunteerfirefightersintheU.S.

http://www.iafc.org/files/healthWell_WFI3rdEdition.pdf.pdf
http://www.healthyfirefighter.org/

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

FireGroundDeaths
Ofthe22firegroundfatalities,eightwereduetosuddencardiacdeath,seventoasphyxiationor
smokeinhalation,fivewereduetointernaltraumaandtwotoburns.Seventeenofthe22deaths
occurredat15structurefires,fouronfourwildlandfiresandoneatavehiclefire.
Exceptfor2001attheWorldTradeCenterand2013,whenanexceptionallyhighnumberof
firefighterswerekilledatthesceneoffires(19firefightersontheYarnellHillwildlandfireandninein
anexplosionatafertilizerplant),deathsonthefiregroundhavebeendecliningfairlysteadilysince
1999.The22deathsin2014matchthesecondlowesttotalinasingleyearsinceNFPAbeganthisstudy
in1977,andisthethirdtimeinthepastfiveyearsthatthetotalhasbeenbelow25.
Figure7showsthedistributionofthe22firegrounddeathsbyfixedpropertyuse.The17deaths
atstructurefiresincludefivedeathsinthreeapartmentbuildingfires,nineinfiresinvolvingoneand
twofamilydwellingsandonedeatheachinfiresatarestaurant,anindustrialfacilityandastorage
property.Oneofthedwellingswasvacantatthetime.
Bothdoublefatalityfiresthatoccurredin2014involvedapartmentbuildings.Inoneofthose
fires,thetwovictimswerecaughtinarapidfireeventandsufferedfatalburnswhileoperatinga
hoselineontheupperstoryofatwostorystructure.Intheotherfire,thetwovictimsweretrappedin
thebasementanddiedofburnsandsmokeinhalation.Oneadditionalfireinanapartmentbuildingalso
killedafirefighter,whowastrappedbyrapidfireprogresswhilesearchingforoccupantsinthehighrise
building.
Theremainingninesinglefatalityresidentialfiresinvolvedoneortwofamilydwellings.Four
oftheninefirefighterssufferedsuddencardiacdeathatthefiresceneoneduringinterioroperations,
onewhilepullingasupplylinetoahydrant,onewhilewaitinginhismobilewatersupplyapparatus
(tanker)todumpwateratthesceneandonewhilepickingupequipmentatthesceneafterthefire.Three
firefighterswerelostinsideduringfireoperationsanddiedofsmokeinhalationorasphyxiation.Two
firefightersfellthroughfloorsintobasementsonediedofsmokeinhalationandtheotheroftraumatic
injuries.
Intheremainingstructurefiredeaths,afirefightersufferedafatalcardiaceventwhileventilating
theroofofarestaurant;anothersufferedafatalcardiaceventatafireinanindustrialpropertyandthe
thirdwaskilledwhentheroofcollapsedduringafireinastoragefacility.
Noneofthestructuresinwhichfirefightersdiedwasreportedtohavehadanautomaticfire
suppressionsystem.

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

Amongthenonstructurefiredeaths,fourfirefightersdiedatseparatewildlandfireincidents
suddencardiacdeathclaimedtwolives,onefirefighterwaskilledinanaircraftcrashandonefirefighter
fellandwasfatallyinjuredwhileatafirecampduringawildlandfire.Onefirefighterwasstruckbya
passingvehicleonahighwayatthesceneofamotorvehiclefire.
Toputthehazardsoffirefightinginvarioustypesofstructuresintoperspective,theauthors
examinedthenumberoffiregrounddeathsper100,000structurefiresbypropertyuse.Estimatesofthe
structurefireexperienceineachtypeofpropertywereobtainedfromtheNFPAsannualfirelossstudies
from2009through2013(the2014resultsarenotyetavailable)andfromtheupdatedfirefighterfatality
dataforthecorrespondingyears.TheresultsareshowninFigure8.
Thisfigureillustratesthat,althoughmanymorefirefighterdeathsoccuratresidentialstructure
firesthanatfiresinanyothertypeofstructure,firesinsomenonresidentialstructures,suchas
manufacturing,publicassembly,storageandmercantileproperties,aremorehazardoustofirefighters,
onaverage.Therewere10.4firegrounddeathsper100,000nonresidentialstructurefiresfrom2009
through2013,comparedto2.7deathsper100,000residentialstructurefires.Thehighestdeathrates
overthefiveyearperiodoccurredinmanufacturingproperties.Theveryhighrateoverthistimeperiod
islargelyinfluencedbythefertilizerplantfirein2013thatkilledninefirefighters.Thelowratein
educationalpropertiesoverthatfiveyearperiodmayreflectthefactthattheseoccupanciesareamong
themostregulated,mostprotectedandmostfrequentlyinspectedandthattheiroccupantsareamongthe
mostlikelytocallthefiredepartmenttoreportfireswhilethefiresarestillintheirearlystages.The
rateinthatfiveyearperiodforstores/officesandstorageproperties,whichincludesgaragesat
dwellings,reflectstherelativelysmallnumberoffatalitiesthathaveoccurredinsuchstructuresinrecent
years.Therateforhealthcareandcorrectionalpropertiesistheresultofasinglefatalityoverthefive
yearperiodinatypeofpropertythathasaverylowoccurrenceofreportedfires.
From2005through2014,therewere20deathsin17firesinvacantbuildingsandbuildings
underdemolitionorrenovation.
VehicleRelatedDeaths
In2014,12firefightersdiedinvehiclerelatedincidents,includingninefirefighterswhodiedin
singlefatalityvehiclecrashes.Threeotherfirefighterswerestruckandkilledbyvehicles.
Twoofthevehiclecrashesinvolvedaircraft.Oneoftheseoccurredduringaroutinefirepatrol
overawildlandareawhentheaircraftstrucktreesonaridgelineunderalowcloudceilingwithreduced

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

visibility.Theotheraircraftcrashoccurredduringwildlandfireoperationswhentheaircraft,makingits
secondfireretardantdrop,possiblystruckatreewithitswing.Visibilitywasgoodatthetimebutthere
wassmokeinthearea.BothcrashesarebeinginvestigatedbytheNationalTransportationSafetyBoard

(NTSB)butthefinalreportshavenotyetbeenreleased.
Fiveofthesevenfirefighterswhodiedinroadcrasheswerekilledwhilerespondingtoincidents

andonewaskilledwhilereturningfromanincident.Threewererespondingtostructurefires,onetoa
grassfire,onetoamotorvehiclecrashandanotherwasreturningfromastructurefire.

Achiefrespondingtoamotorvehiclecrashinhisfiredepartmentvehiclehitapatchofice
onacurveintheroadandslidintoaditch.Hewaswearinghisseatbeltandwasnotejected.

Achiefrespondingtoagrassfirewasdrivinghisdepartment'smobilewatersupply
apparatus(tanker)whenheswervedtoavoidanothervehiclebutstruckthatvehicle,which
causedhistrucktotipoverandslidedownthehighway.Theothervehiclewasanother
respondingfireapparatusthatwastryingtomakeaUturnaftermissingtheturnoff.The
victimwasnotwearingaseatbeltandwasnotejected.

Afirefighterdrivingamobilewatersupplyapparatustoahousefireswervedtoavoida
headoncollision,wentofftherightsideoftheroadandoverturned.Therewerenodetails
reportedonseatbeltuseorejection.

Afirechiefwhowasafulltimelawenforcementofficerwasrespondingtoahousefirein
hispublicsafetyvehiclewhenhelostcontrolofthevehicle,ranofftheroadandoverturned.
Hewasnotwearingaseatbeltandwasejected.

Afirefighterdrivingamobilewatersupplyapparatustoastructurefirestruckaloggingtruck

headon.Hewasnotejected.Therewerenootherdetailsaboutthecrashorseatbeltuse.

Thefirefighterwhodiedinacrashwhilereturningfromastructurefirewasdrivingapumper
whenheranofftheroadonacurve,overcorrectedandoverturned.Hewasnotwearinga
seatbeltandwaspartiallyejected.Carelessoperationwascitedasacauseinthecrash;he
wasnotspeeding.

Inthefinalcrash,afirechiefwasreturningtohisstationwithapumperthathadjustbeen
servicedwhenthedrivetrainfailedandthepumpercollidedwithapickuptruckonahighway.The
chiefandthefiveoccupantsofthepickupdiedinthefierycrash.Hewaswearingaseatbelt.The
recentlycompletedrepairswerenotrelatedtothedrivetrainfailure.

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

Ofthesevenfirefightersmentionedabovewhodiedinroadvehiclecrashes,threewerenotusing
seatbelts(twowereejectedorpartiallyejectedandonewasnot),twowereusingseatbeltsandwerenot
ejectedandnodetailsonseatbeltusewerereportedfortwovictims(oneofwhomwasnotejected).
Factorsreportedinthecrashesincludedweatherconditionsandcarelessoperation.
Threefirefighterswerestruckandkilledbyvehicles.

Onefirefighterwascheckingonvictimsatamotorvehiclecrashonanicyhighwayoverpass
whenapassingvehiclelostcontrolandstruckhim,causinghimtofallmorethan50feet(15
meters)totheroadwaybelow.Actionsofthedriver,theweather,inadequateprotectionof
thehighwayworkareaandinadequatetrafficmanagementwerecitedasfactorsinthedeath.

Afirefighterwasstruckonahighwayatthesceneofamotorvehiclefirebyapassing
tractortrailertruck.Theemergencylightsofthefireapparatuswereoperatingatthetime,
butnootherdetailsabouttheincidentwereavailable.

Afirefightersearchingalongrailroadtracksforamissingpersonwasstruckbyoneoftwo
trainsthatpassedsimultaneously.

NFPApublishesseveralstandardsrelatedtoroadandvehiclesafetyissues.

NFPA1002,StandardonFireApparatusDriver/OperatorProfessionalQualifications

,
identifiestheminimumjobperformancerequirementsforfirefighterswhodriveandoperate
fireapparatus,inbothemergencyandnonemergencysituations.

NFPA1451,StandardforaFireandEmergencyServicesVehicleOperationsTraining
Program,providesforthedevelopmentofawrittenvehicleoperationstrainingprogram,
includingtheorganizationalproceduresfortraining,vehiclemaintenance,andidentifying
equipmentdeficiencies.

NFPA1911,StandardfortheInspection,Maintenance,Testing,andRetirementofInService
AutomotiveFireApparatus,detailsaprogramtoensurethatfireapparatusareservicedand
maintainedtokeeptheminsafeoperatingcondition.

NFPA1901,StandardforAutomotiveFireApparatus

,addressesvehiclestabilitytoprevent
rollovers,andgivesmanufacturersoptionsonhowtoprovideit.Newvehicleswillhave
theirmaximumspeedlimited,basedontheirweight,andwillhavevehicledatarecordersto
monitor,amongotherthings,accelerationanddeceleration,andseatbeltuse.

NFPA1906,StandardforWildlandFireApparatus

,establishesminimumdesign,
performanceandtestingrequirementsfornewvehiclesover10,001lb.grossvehicleweight

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

10

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

(4,500kg)ratingthatarespecificallydesignedforwildlandfiresuppression.

NFPA1091,StandardforTrafficControlIncidentManagement

ProfessionalQualifications,
justpublishedin2015,identifiestheminimumjobperformancerequirementsnecessaryto
performtemporarytrafficcontroldutiesatemergencyincidentsonornearanactive
roadway.

TheprovisionsofNFPA1500,StandardonFireDepartmentOccupationalSafetyandHealth
Program,includerequirementsthatoperatorssuccessfullycompleteanapproveddrivertraining
program,possessavaliddriver'slicensefortheclassofvehicle,andoperatethevehicleincompliance
withapplicabletrafficlaws.Allvehicleoccupantsmustbeseatedinapprovedridingpositionsand
securedwithseatbeltsbeforedriversmovetheapparatus,anddriversmustobeyalltrafficsignalsand
signsandalllawsandrulesoftheroad.Thisincludescomingtoacompletestopwhenencounteringred
trafficlights,stopsigns,stoppedschoolbuseswithflashingwarninglights,blindintersectionsandother
intersectionhazards,andunguardedrailroadgradecrossings.Passengersarerequiredtoremainseated
andmustnotreleaseorloosentheirseatbeltsforanyreasonwhilethevehicleisinmotion.Inrelated
efforts,theUSFAhasanexcellentwebsite

withresourcesonemergencyvehicleandroadwayoperations
safety.
Thefocusofvehiclesafetyprogramsshouldnotbeexclusivelyonfiredepartmentapparatus,
since,overtheyears,privatevehicleshavebeenthevehiclesmostfrequentlyinvolvedinroadcrashes.
NFPA1500,StandardonFireDepartmentOccupationalSafetyandHealthProgram,includesa
requirementthatwhenmembersareauthorizedtorespondtoincidentsortofirestationsinprivate
vehicles,thefiredepartmentmustestablishspecificrules,regulations,andproceduresrelatingtothe
operationofprivatevehiclesinanemergencymode.NFPA1451,StandardforaFireandEmergency
ServicesVehicleOperationsTrainingProgram, alsorequirestrainingforthoseusingprivatelyowned
vehicles.
Requirementsarealsoineffectforemergencypersonneloperatingonroadways.The2009
versionoftheFederalHighwayAdministrationsManualofUniformTrafficControlDevices
(MUTCD)requiresanyoneworkingonaroadwaytowearanANSI107complianthighvisibilityvest.
Anexemptionwascreatedforfirefightersandothersengagedonroadwaysthatallowsthemtowear
NFPAcompliantpersonalprotectiveclothing(turnoutgear)whendirectlyexposedtoflames,heatand
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/operations/ops_vehicle.html

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

11

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

hazardousmaterial.NFPA1500requiresfirefightersworkingontrafficassignmentswheretheyare
endangeredbymotorvehicletraffictowearclothingwithfluorescentandretroreflectivematerialand
usefireapparatusinablockingpositiontoprotectfirefighters.The2009editionofNFPA1901requires
thatANSI207compliantbreakawayhighvisibilityvestsbecarriedonallnewfireapparatus,and
MUTCD2009allowsemergencyresponderstousetheminlieuofANSI107compliantapparel.
AdviceoncompliancewiththeupdatedFederalrulescanbefoundat:MUTCD.**NFPA1901also
requiresreflectivestripingforimprovedvisibilityonnewapparatusandareflectivechevronontherear
offireapparatus.Adviceonhowtoimprovevisibilityofexistingapparatuscanbefoundat:video.
Career/VolunteerComparison
Figure9comparesthenumberofdeathsofcareerfirefightersandvolunteerfirefightersfrom
localfiredepartmentssincethestudywasfirstdonein1977.The34deathsofvolunteerfirefighters
whileondutyin2014isthesecondlowesttotalforvolunteersandwellbelowtheannualaverageof44
deathsperyear.Itisthethirdtimeinthepastfiveyearsthatthetotalhasbeenbelow40deaths.
Overall,thenumberofdeathsofvolunteerfirefighterswhileondutyhasfollowedageneraldownward
trendsince1999.The23deathsofcareerfirefightersmarksthefifthconsecutiveyearthatthetotalhas
beenatorbelow25.Thetrendforcareerfirefightershasbeenrelativelyflatoverthepast10years,
exceptforaspikein2007duetoasingleninefatalityincident.
Abreakdownofthefatalityexperienceofthe57careerandvolunteerfirefighterskilledin2014
isshowninTable1.
IntentionalFiresandFalseCalls
Twofirefighterswerekilledatthesceneofanintentionallysetfireinanapartmentbuildingin
2014.From2005through2014,40firefighters(5.0percentofallondutydeaths)diedinconnection
withintentionallysetfires,eitheratthefireorwhilerespondingtoorreturningfromthefire.The
numberofthesedeathsannuallyhasbeendroppingsince1985.
In2014,onedeathresultedfromafalsecall.Overthepast10years,14firefighterdeathshave
resultedfromfalsecalls,includingmaliciousfalsealarmsandalarmmalfunctions.

**http://www.respondersafety.com/Articles/2009_Edition_of_the_Manual_on_Uniformed_Traffic_Control_Devices_MUTC
D_Released_December_16_2009.aspx
http://www.respondersafety.com/MarkedAndSeen.aspx
FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

12

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

Summary
Therewere64ondutyfirefighterdeathsin2014.Thisisthethirdtimeinthepastfouryearsthat
thetotalhasbeenbelow65.(In2013,therewere97deaths,with32occurringinjustthreeincidents.)
From1995through2008,theaveragenumberofondutydeathseachyearwasinthelow100s.Since
2008,however,the10yearaveragehasbeendroppingsteadilyandnowstandsat83deathsperyear.
ThisNFPAstudyfocusesonthefiredeathsthataredirectlyassociatedwithspecificonduty
activities,anddoesnottracktheeffectsoflongtermexposuretotoxicproductsthatmightoccurduring
anindividual'stimeinthefireservice.
TheInternationalAssociationofFireFightersalonereportedalmost100firefightercancerdeaths
in2014.NIOSHundertookamultiyearstudytoexaminethecancerriskoffirefighters,usinghealth
recordsofapproximately30,000currentandretiredcareerfirefightersfromthreelargecityfire
departmentstolookatmortalityandcancerincidents.Afollowupstudylookedatexposureresponse
among20,000firefightersfromthesamefiredepartments.Resultsofthefirstphase,whichreported
evidenceofarelationshipbetweenfirefightingandcancer,werepublishedinOctober,2013. Results
ofthesecondstudy,publishedin2015,showedacausalrelationshipbetweenfirefightingandlung
cancerandleukemia.
Inspiteofthesustaineddeclineinondutyfatalitiesoverthepastseveralyears,suddencardiac
deathcontinuestoclaimamajorshareoftheondutydeathsannuallymorethanhalfofthedeathsin
2014,andthehighestnumbersince2008.
Deathsinroadvehiclecrashes,oftenthesecondmostfrequentcauseofondutyfirefighter
fatalities,continuedlowin2014.Withsevenfatalitiesinsevencrashes,thisisthesecondlowest
numberofcrashesandcrashdeathsoverthepast30years.Importantly,noneofthedeathsin2014
involvedprivatelyownedvehicles,thefirsttimethathasbeenthecasesince1983.
In2014,noondutysuicideswerereported.Firefighterbehavioralhealthisatopicthathas
garneredconsiderablymoreattentioninrecentyears,particularlyduetotheeffortsoftheFirefighter
BehavioralHealthAlliance.***TheAlliancerecentlyproducedareportonbehavioralhealthandsuicide
preventionthatwaspublishedbytheNationalVolunteerFireCouncil,withsupportfromUSFA.NFPA

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/firefighters/pdfs/OEM_FF_Ca_Study_102013.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/firefighters/pdfs/Danielsetal(2015).pdf
***http://www.ffbha.org/

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

13

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

1500requiresaccesstoabehavioralhealthprogramthatprovidesassessment,counselingandtreatment
forsuchissuesasstress,anxiety,anddepression.
References
1.TheNFPAsfilesforfirefighterondutyfatalinjuriesareupdatedcontinuallyforallyears.
2.Forthisreport,thetermvolunteerreferstoanyfirefighterwhoseprincipaloccupationisnotthat
ofafulltime,paidmemberofafiredepartment.Thetermcareerreferstoanyfirefighterwhose
occupationisthatofafulltime,paidfiredepartmentmember.
3.Forthisreport,thetermmotorvehiclerelatedincidentreferstomotorvehiclecollisions
(includingaircraftandboats)androllovers,aswellastoincidentssuchasfallsfromorstruckby
vehicleswheretheinvolvementofthevehicleplayedanintegralroleinthedeath.
4.Thecategoriesforcauseofinjuryandnatureofinjuryarebasedonthe1981editionofNFPA
901,UniformCodingforFireProtection.
5.MichaelJ.Karter,Jr.andGaryP.Stein,U.S.FireDepartmentProfileThrough2012,NFPA
FireAnalysisandResearchDivision,Quincy,Massachusetts,October2013.
Credits
ThisstudyismadepossiblebythecooperationandassistanceoftheUnitedStatesfireservice,the
PublicSafetyOfficersBenefitsProgramoftheDepartmentofJustice,CDC'sNationalInstitutefor
OccupationalSafetyandHealth,theUnitedStatesFireAdministration,theForestServiceoftheU.S.
DepartmentofAgriculture,andtheBureauofIndianAffairsandtheBureauofLandManagementofthe
U.S.DepartmentoftheInterior.TheauthorswouldalsoliketothankCarlE.Peterson,retiredfrom
NFPA'sPublicFireProtectionDivisionandThomasHales,MD,MPH,ofCDCNIOSH,fortheir
assistanceonthestudy.

http://www.nvfc.org/files/documents/ff_suicide_report.pdf

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

14

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

U.S.DepartmentofJusticeDeath,DisabilityandEducationalBenefitsforPublicSafety
OfficersandSurvivors
Lineofdutydeaths:ThePublicSafetyOfficersBenefits(PSOB)Act,signedintolawin1976,provides

afederaldeathbenefittothesurvivorsofthenationsfederal,state,localandtriballawenforcementofficers,
firefighters,andrescueandambulancesquadmembers,bothcareerandvolunteer,whosedeathsarethedirect
andproximateresultofatraumaticinjurysustainedinthelineofduty.TheActwasamendedin2000to
includeFEMAemployeesperformingofficial,hazardousdutiesrelatedtoadeclaredmajordisasteror
emergency.EffectiveDecember15,2003,publicsafetyofficersarecoveredforlineofdutydeathsthatarea
directandproximateresultofaheartattackorstroke,asdefinedintheHometownHeroesSurvivorsBenefits
Actof2003.TheDaleLongPSOBImprovementsActof2012expandstheHometownHeroesActtoinclude

vascularruptures.

A1988amendmentincreasedtheamountofthebenefitfrom$50,000to$100,000andincludedanannual
costoflivingescalator.OnOctober1ofeachyear,thebenefitchanges asaresult.TheenactmentoftheUSA
PATRIOTbillin2001increasedthebenefitto$250,000.Thecurrentbenefitis$339,310,taxfree.
AdecedentsspouseandminorchildrenarethefirsteligiblebeneficiariesforPSOBProgrampurposes.In
casesinwhichthepublicsafetyofficerhadnosurvivingspouseoreligiblechildren,thedeathbenefitistobe
awardedtoeithertheindividualmostrecentlydesignatedasbeneficiaryforPSOBbenefitswiththeofficers
publicsafetyagency,organization,orunit,or,ifthereisnodesignationofbeneficiaryofPSOBbenefitson
file,thentotheindividualdesignatedasbeneficiaryunderthemostrecentlyexecutedlifeinsurancepolicyon
filewiththeagencyatthetimeofdeath.( See42U.S.C.3796(a)(4)forspecificdetails.)Ifnoindividuals
qualifyunder42U.S.C.3796(a)(4),thenthebenefitispaidtothepublicsafetyofficerssurvivingparents;if
theofficerisnotsurvivedbyaparent,thebenefitmaybepaidtotheofficerschildrenwhowouldbeeligible
toreceiveitbutfortheirage(i.e.,adultchildren).
Lineofdutydisabilities:In1990,CongressamendedthePSOBbenefitsprogramtoincludepermanent
andtotaldisabilitiesthatoccuronorafterNovember29,1990.Theamendmentcoverspublicsafetyofficers
whoarepermanentlyunabletoperformanygainfulemploymentinthefuture.PSOBisintendedforthose
few,tragiccaseswhereanofficersurvivesacatastrophic,lineofdutyinjury.Onlythen,inthepresenceofthe
programsstatutoryandregulatoryqualifyingcriteria,willPSOBsdisabilitybenefitbeawarded.Thebills
supportersanticipatedthatfewPSOBdisabilityclaimswouldbeeligibleannually.
PublicSafetyOfficersEducationalAssistanceProgram(PSOEA): Anadditionalbenefit,signedinto
lawinOctober1996andamendedin1998,providesaneducationalassistanceallowancetothespouseand
childrenofpublicsafetyofficerswhosedeathsorpermanentandtotaldisabilitiesqualifyunderthePSOB
Act.Thisbenefitisprovideddirectlytodependentswhoattendaprogramofeducationataneligibleeducation
institutionandarethechildrenorspousesofcoveredpublicsafetyofficers.ItisretroactivetoJanuary1,1978,
forbeneficiarieswhohavereceivedorareeligibletoreceivethePSOBdeathbenefit.Studentsmayapplyfor
PSOEAfundsforupto45monthsoffulltimeclasses.AsofOctober1,2014,themaximumbenefitastudent
mayreceiveis$1,018permonthoffulltimeattendance.
Furtherbenefitsinformation:Toinitiateaclaimfordeathbenefits,toreceiveadditionalinformationon
filingadisabilityclaimortoreceiveadditionalinformationaboutcoverage,call,email,orwritethePublic
SafetyOfficersBenefitsOffice,BureauofJusticeAssistance,OfficeofJusticePrograms,U.S.Departmentof
Justice,8107thStreet,N.W.,WashingtonDC20531.Thetelephonenumberis(888)7446513andtheemail
addressisASKPSOB@usdoj.gov.PSOBdeathclaimscanbefiledonlineaswellat:https://www.psob.gov.
PleasenotethatthePSOBOfficeCallCenterisavailabletotakecallsMondaythroughFridayfrom7:00

AMuntil5:00PMET.

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

15

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

Table1
ComparisonofOnDutyDeathsBetween
CareerandVolunteerFirefighters,2014*

Typeofduty
Operatingatfireground
Respondingtoorreturningfromalarms
Operatingatnonfireemergencies
Training
Otheronduty
TOTALS
Causeoffatalinjury
Overexertion/stress/otherrelated
Rapidfireprogress/explosion
Motorvehiclecrash
Structuralcollapse
Struckbyvehicle
Lostinsidestructure
Fell
Exposedtoelectricity
Influenza
Struckbyobject
TOTALS
Natureoffatalinjury
Internaltrauma/crushing
Suddencardiacdeath
Asphyxiation(includingsmokeinhalation)
Burns
Stroke/cerebralhemorrhage
Influenza
Electrocution
TOTALS

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

CareerFirefighters
Number
Percent
ofDeaths
ofDeaths
10

VolunteerFirefighters
Number
Percent
ofDeaths
ofDeaths

0
2
4
7

43%
0
9
17
30

10
10

23

100%

34

100%

10

43%

22

65%
0%
21%
3%
6%
0%
3%
0%
0%
3%

6
3
5

5
0
1
1
3
1
1
1
0

22
0
4
4
13
4
4
4
0

0
7
1
2
0
1
0
0
1

23

100%

34

4%

10
22

10
8
2
0
1
1

43
35
9
0
4
4

23

100%

16

1
0
1
0
0

34

29%
29%
18%
9%

15%

100%

29%
65%
3%
0%
3%
0%
0%
100%

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

Table1
ComparisonofOnDutyDeathsBetween
CareerandVolunteerFirefighters,2014*(Contd.)

Rank
Firefighter

CareerFirefighters
Number
Percent
ofDeaths
ofDeaths
11

CompanyOfficer
ChiefOfficer
TOTALS

48%

VolunteerFirefighters
Number
Percent
ofDeaths
ofDeaths
17

50%

8
4

35
17

12

15%
35%

23

100%

34

100%

0
1
2
5
3
5
2
4
1
0

0
4
9
22
13
22
9
17
4
0

2
2
0
0
4
3
6
6
4
7

23

100%

34

1
0
1
0
2
2
4
0
0

10
0
10
0
20
20
40
0
0

1
0
0
0
2
4
5
4
6

10

100%

22

AgesofFirefighters
Alldeaths

21to25
26to30
31to35
36to40
41to45
46to50
51to55
56to60
61to65
Over65
TOTALS

6%
6%
0%
0%
12%
9%
18%
18%
12%
21%
100%

AgesofFirefighters

Suddencardiacdeathsonly

26to30
31to35
36to40
41to45
46to50
51to55
56to60
61to65
Over65
TOTALS

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

17

5%
0%
0%
0%
9%
18%
23%
18%
27%
100%

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

Table1
ComparisonofOnDutyDeathsBetween
CareerandVolunteerFirefighters,2014*(Contd.)

Firegrounddeathsbyfixedpropertyuse
Dwellingsandapartments
Storage
Vacantdwelling
Restaurant
Manufacturing

CareerFirefighters
Number
Percent
ofDeaths
ofDeaths
10

VolunteerFirefighters
Number
Percent
ofDeaths
ofDeaths

0
0
0
0

100%
0
0
0
0

3
1
1
1
1

30%
10%
10%
10%
10%

0
0

0
0

1
2

10%
20%

TOTALS

10

100%

10

Yearsofservice
5orless
6to10
11to15
16to20
21to25
26to30
Over30

0
5
6
2
3
3
4

0%

22
26
9
13
13
17

11

18%
6%
12%
12%
3%
18%
32%

TOTALS

23

100%

34

100%

Vehiclefire
Wildlandfire

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

18

2
4
4
1
6

100%

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

Table1
ComparisonofOnDutyDeathsBetween
CareerandVolunteerFirefighters,2014*(Contd.)
CareerFirefighters
Number
Percent
ofDeaths
ofDeaths

VolunteerFirefighters
Number
Percent
ofDeaths
ofDeaths

Attributesoffiregrounddeaths**
Intentionallysetfires
Searchandrescueoperations

2
2

0
0

Motorvehiclecrashes

Falsealarms

*Thistabledoesnotincludethesevenvictimswhowereemployeesorcontractorswithstateland
managementagencies,ormembersofamilitaryfiredepartmentoranindustrialfiredepartment.
**Becausetheseattributesarenotmutuallyexclusive,totalsandpercentagesarenotshown.

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

19

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

Figure 1
On-Duty Firefighter Deaths - 1977-2014
180

174

Number o
f Deaths

160

136

140

112

120
100

103*
75 79

80
60
40
20
0

106
87

9
8
2

7
3 61
64

7
64

77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13
14

Year
* excluding the 340 firefighter deaths at the World Trade Center in 2001

Figure 2
Firefighter Deaths by Type of Duty - 2014
Other on-duty (22%)
Fire ground (34%)

Non-fire emergency
(14%)

Responding to or returning
from alarms (17%)

Training (13%)

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

20

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

Figure 3
Firefighter Deaths by Cause of Injury - 2014
Exposed to electricity
(2%)

Structural collapse
(3%)

Struck (6%)

Crashes (14%)

Overexertion/stress/
medical (58%)

Lost inside (5%)

Rapid fire
progress/explosion (8%)
Fell (5%)

Figure 4
Firefighter Deaths by Nature of Injury - 2014
Asphyxiation/smoke
inhalation (14%)
Burns (3%)

Internal trauma (22%)

Sudden cardiac death

(56%)

Other (5%)

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

21

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

Figure 5
Firefighter Deaths by Age and Cause of Death

2014
Number o
f Deaths

16
14

Not sudden cardiac death

12

Sudden cardiac death

10

8
6
4
2
0
21-25

26-30

31-35

36-40

41-45

46-50

51-55

56-60

Over 60

DeathRate per;1
0,000 Firefighters

Age Group

Figure 6
On-Duty Death Rates per 10,000 Career and
Volunteer Firefighters -- 2010-2014
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0

Average Death Rate

20-29
Share of 16-19
21.1%
firefighter 3.3%
s
in each age group (2012).

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

30-39
26.3%

40-49
25.3%

50-59
17.3%

60 and Over
6.7%

Age
Group

22

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

Figure 7
Fire Ground Deaths by Fixed Property Use*
Highway (5%)
Storage (5%)
Assembly (5%)

Wildland (18%)

Manufacturing (5%)

Residential (64%)
* There were 22 deaths on the fire ground
in 2014.

Deaths per
100,000 StructureFires

Figure 8
On-Duty Fire Ground Deaths per 100,000 Structure
35.0

Fires -- 2009 - 2013

32.6

30.0
25.0
20.0

18.9

15.0
10.0

5.8

5.6

3.4

5.0

0.0

0.0

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

2.7

23

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

Figure 9
Career and Volunteer Firefighter Deaths

1977 - 2014*
105

Volunteer

90

Career

75
60
45
30
15
0

77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13
14

Year
*excluding the 340 firefighter deaths at the World Trade Center in
2001

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA
FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

24

Number o
f Deaths

2014SelectedFirefighterFatalityIncidents
Fireboatmaintenance
OnJanuary6,afirefighterwith20yearsofserviceandassignedtothemarineunitwasworkinghis
regularshift.The62yearoldfirefighter,dressedinmultiplelayersofclothingtokeepwarm,was
winterizingthefire/rescueboatsandabargefortheextremelycoldweather.Thefire/rescueboatswere
traileredandabargeservedastheirfirestationatthemarina.
Shortlyaftermidnight,thefirefighter,whosufferedfromdiabetes,developeddifficultybreathingand
called911.Firefightersandparamedicsarrivedtofindhimincardiacarrest.Theyimmediatelybegan
medicalassistanceandtransportedhimtoanearbymedicalfacility.Hewassubsequentlytransferredto
ahospitalincriticalconditionwhereheremaineduntilhediedeightdayslaterfromamyocardial
infarction.
Incendiaryapartmenthousefire
OnJanuary26,anenginecompanyarrivedatthesceneofafireinanoccupiedsixunitapartment
building.Thecompanywasstaffedwithafireofficerandthreefirefightersandarrivedapproximately
sixminutesafterdispatch.TheoriginalbuildingwasTypeIIIconstructionbuiltin1877,butseveral
additionswereaddedatanunknowndateusingTypeIVconstruction.
Theofficerandtwofirefightersplacedaladdertoasecondstoryapartmentwindowandadvancedtheir
1.75inch(44millimeter)unchargedhoselineuptheladderandintothewindowfiveminutesafter
arrivingonscene.Thecrewadvancedthehoselineintothehallway,passinganotherenginecompanyas
itenteredthebuildingusingadoorfromasmalldeckontheroofofoneoftheadditions.Thecrewthen
headeddownahallwayinzerovisibility.Theofficerrequestedhishoselinebechargedwithwater,and

thefirefighteronthenozzlebegandirectingthestreamtowardstheceiling.Thesecondenginecompany
thatwasnearthedoorwayalsobegansprayingwaterontotheflamesandthick,acridblacksmokealong
theceiling.
Fiveminutesafterenteringthesecondfloor,adramaticfireeventoccurred,resultinginthreemaydays
calledfromtheenginecompany.Thefirstmaydaywasfromafirefighteronthehoseline.Tenseconds
later,asecondmaydaywascalledbytheofficer,whowasabletobackoutofthedoornearthebackup
lineandsecondenginecompany.Thethirdmaydaywascalledlessthanaminutelaterbyoneofthe
firefightersonthehoseline.Theincidentcommanderimmediatelycalledforadditionalresourcesand
acknowledgedandbeganmanagingthemayday.
Adedicatedrapidinterventionteamwasdeployedtothesecondfloorandlocatedthefirstfirefighterand

removedhimfromthestructurewithin14minutesafterthefirstmayday.Thesecondfirefighterwas
locatedandremovedfromthebuilding24minutesafterthemaydaywascalled.Thefirefighterswere
transportedtothehospitalwheretheybothdied.Thecauseofdeathforbothwasthermalburnsand
carbonmonoxideexposure.Rapidfireprogressionwasreportedaspreventingtheirescape.Duringthe
rapidfiredevelopmentonthesecondstory,thebackupfirefightersradiowaskeyedup,buttherewas
notransmission.

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

25

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

Oneofthefirefighterswas42yearsoldwith16yearsofservice.Thesecondfirefighterwas31with
fourmonthsofserviceonthisfiredepartmentand10yearswithanother.Thefirewasdeterminedtobe
incendiaryandtheownerofthepropertywasarrestedandisawaitingtrial.
NIOSHinvestigatedthisincidentandoffersrecommendationsat
www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201402.html.
Airplanecrash
OnJanuary31,apilotscheduledtoflyaroutinefiredetectionroutecalledinsick.Abackuppilotwith
eightyearsofservicewascalledonthemorningoftheflight.Heagreedtoflytherouteusingasingle
engineaircraftregisteredtoandoperatedbythestateforestrycommission.Thebackuppilotarrivedat
theairportatnoontochecktheweatherandpreflighttheairplane.
At12:40p.m.,thepilotbeganhisfiredetectionflightusingapredeterminedflightroute.Hereportedhis
flightprogresstothedispatchcenterthatmonitoredhisapproximatelocation.At1:11p.m.,thepilot
reportedhislocationtothedispatch.Thiswouldbethelastradiotransmissionfromthepilot.
Afternothearingfromthepilotfor30minutes,dispatchattemptedtocontacthim.Notsucceeding,
dispatchnotifiedtheFederalAviationAdministrationsFlightServiceStationandtheAirForceRescue
CoordinationCenterofanoverdueairplane.
Duetotheruggedterrainandweatherhamperingtherescueoperations,thecrashsitewasnotlocatedfor
11days.Ittookanotherdaytocutaroadwaythroughthreemilesofthickforestfromthemainroadto
thecrashsite.Evidenceshowedthattheairplanestrucktreesonaridgelinebeforeimpactingtheground.
Asectionoftheleftwingwasfoundontopoftheridgeline.Thecauseofdeathwasreportedasmultiple
injuriesduetotheaircraftcrash.
TheNationalTransportationSafetyBoardisinvestigatingthecauseofthecrash.
Struckbymotorvehicle
OntheeveningofFebruary10,thefiredepartmentreceivedapproximately650callstorespondto
motorvehiclecrashesduetotheinclementweather.Theweatheratthetimeincludedcloudyconditions
withlightprecipitation,fog,andtemperaturesdroppingbelowfreezing.At8p.m.,thefiredepartment
respondedwithacomplementoftwopumpers,oneladdertruck,andonerescuevehicletotheoverpass
ofthehighwaycomplex.
A40yearoldfirefighterwith14yearsofservicearrivedonthefirstpieceofapparatus.Hewas
assistingastrandedmotoristwhosecarhadcrashedintobridgebarrierwalls.Thefirefightercrossed
overaprotectivebarrierwhenhewasstruckbyanothervehicle.Thefirefighter,dressedinaturnout
coat,trousers,boots,andhelmet,wasthrownfromtheoverpassandfell56feet(17meters)belowonto
anunderpass.Bluntforcetraumafromthefallwaslistedasthecauseofdeath.

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

26

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

Contributingfactorsleadinguptotheincidentwereicyweatherconditions,inadequatescene/traffic
management,afirefighteroperatinginanunprotectedzone,andaninattentivemotorist.
TheNationalInstituteofOccupationalSafetyandHealthhasinvestigatedthisincidentbutasofthis
writinghasnotyetpublisheditsreport.
Balconycollapse
OnFebruary22at4:41a.m.,thefiredepartmentwasnotifiedbya911callforaroofcollapseata
studenthousingcomplexthattheuniversitybuiltin1956.Thefirealarmdispatchedafullfirstalarm
assignmentsupplementedbyaspecialadditionalassignmentformoreequipmentandfirefighters.The
firstcompanyonscenehadacrewofalieutenantandtwofirefighters.Theofficerandoneofthe
firefighterswalkedaroundthestructureandreportedthatnothingwasshowingandrequesteda
verificationontheaddress.
Thetwostorybuildingofordinaryconstructioncontained12apartments,sixoneachlevel,all
accessiblefromtheoutside.Thesecondlevelapartmentswereaccessiblefromanopenbalconythathad
aflightofexteriorstairsoneitherendofthebuilding.Eighteenpeoplelivedintheapartmentsatthe
timeoftheincident.
Thefirealarmverifiedtheaddressandtheapartmentthecallhadcomefrom.Thelieutenantandthe
firefighter,accompaniedbyauniversitypoliceofficer,wentupexteriorstairstothesecondstory
balcony.Thefirefighterandpoliceofficerstoppedtotalktotheoccupantsofoneapartmentwhilethe
lieutenantcontinuedwalkingalongthebalcony,bangingondoorsasheheadedtotheotherendofthe
building.
Thesecondfirefighterwhostayedwiththeapparatusnoticedwhatappearedtobegravelorrocksfalling
fromunderthebalcony.Thefirefighter,understandingwhatwashappening,jumpedfromtheapparatus
andyelledatthelieutenanttogetoffthebalconybecauseitwasgoingtocollapse.Atthatmoment,the
firefighterandthepoliceofficerheardaloudbangandsawthebalconyprogressivelycollapsingtoward
them.Allthreesawthelieutenantfallandlandonhisback.Thebalconythenfellfromthewallontothe
lieutenant.
Thebalconywas4inches(100millimeters)thickandwasconstructedofa1.5inch(38millimeter)
paintedmetalformdeckwith2.5inches(64millimeters)ofconcrete,supportedonasteelledgerangle
attachedtothebuildinganda9inch(230millimeter)paintedsteelchannelbeamalongtheouteredge.
Thecollapseoccurredwhentheouteredgeofthebalconyfailed,causingthebalconytoswingdownlike
apendulum,strikethebuildingandthenfallawayfromthebuildingandontothelieutenant.
Thefirefighterandpoliceofficerranbackdownthestairstothelieutenant.Firstaidwasstarted
immediatelyafterhewasextricated.Hewastransportedtoahospitalwherehewaspronounceddead.
Thecauseofdeathwastraumaticcompressionalasphyxia.
NIOSHinvestigatedthisincidentandoffersrecommendationsat
www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201407.html.

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

27

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

Airmanagementtraining
OnMarch7,the51yearoldfirecaptain,fullydressedinhispersonalprotectiveequipmentincluding
hisselfcontainedbreathingapparatus,participatedinthefiredepartmentsrulesofairmanagement
training.Thetrainingrequiredthefirecaptaintocarrya50foot(15meter)sectionof2.5inch(64
millimeter)hoseupfivestories,backdowntothegroundlevel,andthenrepeatitwithhiscrew.
Thecaptain,whohad19yearsofservice,collapsedwithinaminuteofcompletingthesecondclimb.A
nearbyfirefighterreactedimmediatelyandfoundthecaptainwithapulseandrapidbreathingbutnot
responsive.Thefirefightermadearadiorequestforanambulanceandadditionalassistanceashiscrew

carriedthecaptainintoanapparatusbay.

Acardiacmonitorattachedtothecaptainrevealedventriculartachycardia(aheartrhythmincompatible
withlife)andcardiopulmonaryresuscitationandadvancedlifesupport(ALS)werestarted.ALS
consistedofdefibrillation,oxygenadministrationviabagvalvemask,andcardiacresuscitation
medicationsdeliveredviatheintraosseousroute.Thecaptainwasshockedfourtimeswhileenroutetoa
hospitalemergencydepartment.Althoughhispulsereturnedbriefly,heneverregainedconsciousness.
Aftertwoandahalfhoursofextensiveefforts,thecaptainwaspronounceddead.Thecauseofdeath
waslistedashypertensiveandatheroscleroticcardiovasculardisease.
NIOSHinvestigatedthisincidentandoffersrecommendationsat
www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201410.html.
Establishingawatersupply
OnApril21at11p.m.,thecounty911centerreceivedacallforafireinavacantsinglefamily
residence.Thefiredepartmentwithmutualaidwasimmediatelydispatched.At11:11p.m.,thefirst
pieceofapparatus,apumper,arrivedandwaspositioneddirectlyinfrontofthebuilding.Shortly
afterward,amobilewatersupplyapparatus(tanker)arrivedatthesceneandestablishedwatersupplyto
thepumper.Firefightersmadeaninitialattacktotheexteriorwallandthefrontentryarea.
Thechiefobservedtheheatandsmokeconditionsbuildingupinsideandorderedeveryoneoutofthe
buildingandtochangefromanoffensivetodefensivemode.Thechiefalsoobservedthatthetankers
watersupplywasgettinglow.Hegrabbedthe4inch(100millimeter)supplyhoseandstartedtodragit

towardsthenearestfirehydrantthatwas300feet(100meters)away.Thetankeroperatoralsobegan
draggingthesupplyline,butwasorderedbythechieftoconnectthelinetothepumper.After
connectingthesupplyhosetothepumper,thetankeroperatorradioedthechieftolethimknowthathe
wasreadyforthewater.Thechiefdidnotrespond.Aftertwoorthreemoreattemptsontheradio,the
firefighterwenttoassistthechiefandfoundhimcollapsedatthehydrant.
Firefightersonsceneimmediatelybegancardiopulmonaryresuscitation,andthechiefwasflownby
helicoptertoahospitalwheremedicalstaffwasunabletoresuscitatehim.Thecauseofdeathwaslisted
asatheroscleroticandhypertensivecardiovasculardisease.Contributingfactorswerediabetesand
obesity.

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

28

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

Trainingexercise
OnMay30at6a.m.,a58yearoldfirefighterarrivedatthestationandstartedhisshiftat7a.m.,
participatinginroutinestationandapparatusmaintenance.Heandanothercrewmemberbegancutting
thegrassusingapushmower,buthewasinterruptedbyaresponsetoamedicalcall.Thecallwasso
minorthatthefirefighterwasnotrequiredtoleavehischauffeurspositionontheapparatus.On
returningtothestation,heandtheotherfirefighterfinishedcuttingthegrass,whichtookapproximately
halfanhour.
At1p.m.,thefirefighterandhiscrewwenttothetrainingacademytoparticipateintheannualphysical
abilitytest.Therewereeightuntimedtaskstoaccomplishinthephysicalabilitytest,includingthetire
drag,wallclimb,hosedrag,carryingahighrisepacktotheroofandhoisting/loweringahighrisepack,
groundladderextension,ceilingpush/pull(simulatingoverhaul),towerclimb,andcrawl.Thefirefighter
wasthefirsttodothetasks,completingtheminaboutnineminutes.Hejokedandmingledwithhis
crew,exhibitingnophysicaldistress.Theweatheratthistimewas69degreesFahrenheit(21degrees
Celsius),with59percenthumidity.
Atapproximately2p.m.,thefirefighterandafellowcrewmemberstartedthemazeexercise.Themaze
wasconstructedofseveralobstaclesandwasbuiltinalargemetalshippingcontainer.Thefirefighters
weretonavigatethecourseinfullprotectiveclothingincludingtheirselfcontainedbreathingapparatus
(SCBA).Abouteightminutesintothecourse,thefirefighterstartedbreathingheavilyandremovedhis
SCBAregulator.Thecrewmateaskedhimhowhewasdoing.Hestatedthathehadtotakeabreakand
sitdown.Theycontinuedashortdistancetowardasetofstairs.Thecrewmemberhelpedthefirefighter
upthestairstoaplatformwherehecollapsed.
Thecrewmemberbangedonthemetalwallsofthecontainer,alertingtherestofthecompanymembers.
Thefirefighterwasremovedfromthecontainerandwasimmediatelyattendedtobyanambulancecrew
whowerealsotrainingattheacademy.Acardiacmonitorplacedonthefirefightershowedventricular
fibrillation.Thefirefighterwasdefibrillated;anintravenouslinewasinsertedandcardiacresuscitation
medicationsadministered.Thefirefighterwastransportedtoahospitalwherethestaffworkedonhim
foranadditional28minuteswithoutsuccessandhewaspronounceddead.Thecauseofdeathwaslisted
asatheroscleroticcardiovasculardisease.
Anautopsyshowedseverecoronaryarteryatherosclerosis,cardiomegaly,andleftventricular
hypertrophy.
NIOSHinvestigatedthisincidentandoffersrecommendationsat
www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201420.html.
Packtest
OnMay17,a63yearoldwildlandfirecrewsupervisorwasperformingaworkcapacitytest(more
commonlyknownasapacktest)togethisredcard.Passingthepacktestwouldcertifytheindividualto
performfiresuppressiononprivate,state,andfederalwildlandproperty.Theworkcapacitytestrequires
anindividualtocompleteathreemilewalkwithin45minuteswhilewearinga45pound(20kilogram)
weightedvest.

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

29

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

Afterfourlapsaroundthetrack(approximatelyonemileor1.6km),thesupervisorgrabbedhisleftleg
andcollapsed.Hewasfoundunresponsive,notbreathing,andwithafaintpulse.Hispulsestoppeda
fewsecondslater.Anambulancewasrequestedandcardiopulmonaryresuscitationstarted.Breathing
withaweakpulsereturned,butonlybriefly.Anautomatedexternaldefibrillator(AED)wasbrought
fromthevehicleofarespondingpoliceofficer.TheAEDdidnotwork,soanotherwasbroughttothe
scenebythelocalfiredepartment.Oneshockwasadministeredapproximately11minutesafterthe
supervisorscollapse,withnochangetohiscondition.
Theambulancearrivedwithparamedicswhoprovidedadvancedlifesupportincludingdefibrillation,
intubation,andintraosseouslineplacement.Theyadministeredtwoadditionalshockswhiletransporting
thesupervisorwithstillnochangeinhiscondition.Cardiopulmonaryresuscitationandadvancedlife
supportcontinuedfor11minutesintheemergencydepartmentatthehospitaluntilhewaspronounced
dead.
Thedeathcertificatelistedthecauseofdeathasanacutemyocardialinfarctioncausedbyhypertension,
typeIIdiabetesmellitus,andmorbidobesity.Investigatorsconcludedthephysicalexertionassociated
withthepacktestinitiatedaprobablemyocardialinfarctionandhissuddencardiacdeath.
NIOSHinvestigatedthisincidentandoffersrecommendationsat
www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201413.html
Apparatuscrash
OnJune19,the43yearoldfirechiefwith27yearsofservicepickedupthepumperatarepairshopand
wasdrivingitbacktohisfirestation.Theshophadperformedworkonthepumperswatersystem.It
wasapproximately9p.m.andthefirechiefwasdrivingatanestimatedspeedof55milesperhour(89
kilometersperhour).Theroadwaywaspostedfor60milesperhour(97kilometersperhour)for
commercialvehicles.
Thefrontdrivetrainbroke,andthechieflostcontrolofthepumper.Oneofthewheelsonthevehicle
lockedup,causingittoturninacounterclockwisedirection.Thepumpercrossedthedividinglineof
thehighwayintothepathofanoncomingpickuptruck.Thedriverofthepickupveeredtotherightbut
wasunabletoavoidcrashingintothepumperattheedgeofaditch.Thefrontofthepickupcollided
withthepassengersideofthefireapparatusnearthevehiclesdieselfueltank,whichrupturedasa
result.Multiplecallersreportedafireengineexplosion.Bothvehiclescametoarestintheditch.The
pumpercametoastoponitsroofwiththefirechieftrappedinside.Hewasusingashoulderandlap
safetybelt.Thepickupcametoarestinfrontofthepumper.Bothvehiclesbecamefullyinvolvedinthe
fire.
Thepickuptruckcontainedafamilyoffive:a29yearoldman,a29yearoldwoman,andtheirthree
children,afouryearoldboyandthreeyearoldtwins,aboyandagirl.Allwerekilledbybluntforce
traumaonimpact.Theadultswerewearingseatbeltsandthechildrenwerenot.Allthreechildrenwere
ejectedfromthepickup.Thefirechiefdiedfromsmokeinhalationandthermalinjuries.Therepairs
thathadbeencompletedonthepumperwerenotrelatedtothedrivetrainfailure.

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

30

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

Returningfromafire
OnJune30,afirecaptainwhohadjustparticipatedinextinguishingaresidentialstructurefirerefilled
the1,000gallon(3,785liter)watertankonthefireapparatusandwasdrivingtheapparatusbacktothe
firestationonatwolanehighway.The52yearoldfirecaptainwith30yearsofservicehadjustexited
aslightrighthandcurveandwentofftherightsideofthehighway.Henavigatedtheapparatusback
ontotheroadwaybutovercorrectedthevehicle,causingittospincounterclockwiseandslideofftheleft
sideoftheroad.Theapparatusrolledover,hittingtreesbeforecomingtoastoponitsroof.Thecaptain,
notwearinganyrestraints,waspartiallyejectedandwaspartiallypinnedunderthevehicle.Hedied
fromhisinjurieswhilefellowfirefightersattemptedtoextricatehim.Weatherconditionsweregoodand
itwasestimatedthathewasdrivingwithinthespeedlimit.Thecauseofdeathwaslistedastrauma.
Electrocution
AlocalfiredepartmentwasapproachedinmidAugustbyauniversitymarchingbandtoparticipatein
anIceBucketChallengefundraisingeventoncampus.Thesociallyconsciousfiredepartmentagreed
totherequestasithadinthepastwithotherorganizations.TheeventwasscheduledforAugust20but
waspostponedtothefollowingdayduetoathunderstorm.Thedayoftheeventwasclearandsunny,
withtemperaturesinthe90sandacalmwind.
OnAugust21at10:30a.m.,adetailoftwofirecaptainsandtwofirefightersarrivedatthecampusona
95foot(29meter)aerialplatformapparatus.Aftermeetingwithuniversitypersonnel,asitewas
selectedfortheevent,whichinvolvedusingtheapparatustohoveroveranumberofstudentswhile
sprayingthemwithwaterfromafognozzle.Thefirepersonnelconductedasafetybriefing,notingthe
locationofthehydrant,trees,andpowerlines.
Thefirepersonnelsetuptheapparatusbyextendingthestabilizers,elevatingandrotatingtheplatform
90degreesofftherightsideoftheapparatus,andconnectingthehosetoawatersupply.Oneoffire
captainsandoneofthefirefighterswereinthebucketoftheaerialplatformduringtheevent.
Studentslefttheareaaftertheyweredousedbythefognozzleandthechallengewascompleted.The
firepersonnelbeganpreparingtogettheplatformbackintoservice.Thefirepersonnelinthebucket
raisedittoohigh,however,andthecaptaincameindirectcontactwitha69kVpowerline,causinga
largearc.Thefirefighterthencameintocontactwiththepowerline,causingasecondarc,andthe
captaincameincontactasecondtime,causingathirdarc.
Thecaptainstationedonthegroundwasontheapparatuswhencontactwasmadeandwasabletojump
freeandwasnotinjured.Thefirefighteronthegroundwaspullingthesafetypinonthefrontdrivers
sidestabilizerwhenhefeltpaininhislegsandbackandwasforcedbackawayfromtheapparatus.He
radioeddispatchforhelpandaskedtohavetheelectricityshutoff.Oncetheelectricitywasshutoff,he
loweredthebucket.
Additionalhelparrivedandthefirecaptainandfirefighterwhowereonthegroundaswellasthe
firefighterinthebucketweresenttoahospital.Thecaptainandfirefighterthatwereonthegroundwere
heldforobservationandlaterreleased.Thefirefighterwhowasinthebucketsustainedmoderateto
severeburnsandremainedinthehospitalfornearlyonemonth.Thecaptainwhowasinthebucketwas
airliftedtoalevel1traumacenterduetotheseverityofhisinjuries.Hesustainedfullthicknessburn

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

31

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA

injuriestomorethanhalfofhisbody.Hedied31dayslater,afterundergoingnumerousskingrafts,
beingplacedondialysisduetoadecreaseinhiskidneyfunction,multipleorganfailures,andsevere
sepsis.
Influenza
OnOctober24,a39yearoldfirecaptainwith13yearsofservicewasdetailedtoanoutofstate
hazardousmaterialtrainingexercise.Hewaslateforclassandaninstructorwenttohishoteltocheck
onhim.Atthehotel,theinstructorlearnedthatthecaptainwasntfeelingwell.Thefirecaptainwas
transportedtothehospitalwherehisconditionworsened.OnOctober27,thefirecaptaindiedasaresult
ofinfluenza.

FirefighterFatalitiesintheU.S.6/15

32

NFPAFireAnalysis&Research,Quincy,MA