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 2005

7,395

3,675

Source: National Fallen Source: National Fallen Firefighters FoundationFirefighters Foundation

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

US Firefighter DeathsUS Firefighter Deathssource: NFPA Journal, July-August 2006source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2006

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

On-Duty U.S. Firefighter Deaths, 1995-2005

97 96 9991

112103 103

97105 103

87

2004200320022001200019991998199719961995 20050

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Year

Num

ber

of D

eath

s

2005 US Firefighter Deaths: Career & Volunteer2005 US Firefighter Deaths: Career & Volunteersource: NFPA Journal, July-August 2006source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2006

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

29 2731 33

38

2825

2925

2925

59

65

59

49

70

58

66

50

58

64

54

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Nu

mb

er o

f D

eath

s

CAREER

VOLUNTEER

US Firefighter Deaths by Type of Duty, 2005US Firefighter Deaths by Type of Duty, 2005source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2006source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2006

Non-Fire Emergencies

5%

Other on-duty24%

Training13%

Responding to or

Returning from Alarms

29%

Fireground29%

US Firefighter Deaths by US Firefighter Deaths by Cause of Injury, 2005Cause of Injury, 2005

source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2006source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2006

Overexertion or Stress

54%

Other7%

Caught or Trapped

9%

Struck by or Contact with

Object25%

Falls5%

US Firefighter Deaths by US Firefighter Deaths by Nature of Injury, 2005Nature of Injury, 2005

source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2006source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2006

5%

11%7%

7% 46%

25%

Heart Attack 46% Internal Trauma 25%Crushing 5% Asphyxiation 7%

Stroke 7% Other 11%

US Firefighter Deaths by US Firefighter Deaths by Age & Cause of Death, 2005Age & Cause of Death, 2005

source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2006source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2006

35

2

6

3

7

6

5

10

3

10

6

4

3

7

7

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Number of Deaths

Age

Heart Attack

Non-Heart Attack

US Firefighter Deaths inUS Firefighter Deaths inMotor Vehicle Accidents, 1995-2005Motor Vehicle Accidents, 1995-2005

source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2006source: NFPA Journal, July-August 2006

1995

1996

1999

2001

2003

2005

18

3

21

14

4

7

3

10

1

10

2

10

1

7

113

4

8

5

10

3

0

5

10

15

20

25

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

2005 Firefighter Fatalities2005 Firefighter FatalitiesWho is dying?Who is dying?

Career firefighters, those who are employed full-time as Career firefighters, those who are employed full-time as firefighters, suffered 25 deaths in 2005.firefighters, suffered 25 deaths in 2005.

Volunteer firefighters accounted for 54 deaths.Volunteer firefighters accounted for 54 deaths.

Another 8 victims were civilian contractors or seasonal Another 8 victims were civilian contractors or seasonal employees of federal wildland agencies.employees of federal wildland agencies.

The average age of firefighters who died in 2005 was 47 years - The average age of firefighters who died in 2005 was 47 years - the youngest was 18 and the oldest was 76.the youngest was 18 and the oldest was 76.

2005 Firefighter Fatalities2005 Firefighter FatalitiesWhere are we dying?Where are we dying? Response/Return is still Response/Return is still

the most hazardous activitythe most hazardous activity

Of the 13 deaths in road vehicles, five victims were not Of the 13 deaths in road vehicles, five victims were not wearing seatbelts. wearing seatbelts.

Excessive speed was a factor in at least 3 of the Excessive speed was a factor in at least 3 of the crashes.crashes.

Four firefighters died because of false alarms.Four firefighters died because of false alarms.

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.

2005 Firefighter Fatalities2005 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 majority of firefighter deaths in 2005 were The majority of firefighter deaths in 2005 were attributed to non-traumatic injuries. attributed to non-traumatic injuries. Heart attacks Heart attacks and strokesand strokes caused the deaths of 47 on-duty caused the deaths of 47 on-duty firefighters.firefighters.

Almost half of the firefighters that died in 2005 Almost half of the firefighters that died in 2005 died from traumatic injuries such as died from traumatic injuries such as asphyxiation, burns, drowning, vehicle crashes, asphyxiation, burns, drowning, vehicle crashes, and other physical injuries. and other physical injuries.

2005 Firefighter Fatalities2005 Firefighter FatalitiesWhere are we dying?Where are we dying?

The highest number of firefighter deaths occurred in New York, with 18 deaths in 2005. California and Texas were the next highest with 9 each.

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

2005 Firefighter Fatalities2005 Firefighter Fatalities

What fireground activities What fireground activities where most dangerous?where most dangerous?

11 Fire Attack11 Fire Attack6 Search and Rescue6 Search and Rescue2 Incident Command2 Incident Command2 Water Supply 2 Water Supply 1 Scene Safety1 Scene Safety5 Other5 Other

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, 1995-2005Deaths, 1995-2005

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

17

9

18

16

8

5

11

7 76

16

0

5

10

15

20

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Nu

mb

er

of

De

ath

s

January through June 2005January through June 2005

NYS Line of Duty DeathsNYS Line of Duty Deaths Date of Death Last Name First Name Age Company/Dept Rank Type of Incident Cause of Death

1/22/2005 Meyran Curtis 46 FDNY Lieut. Structure Fire Fatal injuries from fall1/22/2005 Bellew John 37 FDNY Firefighter Structure Fire Fatal injuries from fall1/22/2005 Sclafani Richard 37 FDNY Firefighter Structure Fire Burns1/24/2005 Falkouski Michael 59 Rensselaer FD Ass't Chief Structure Fire Cardiac related2/6/2005 Smith Todd 31 New Paltz FD Firefighter Alarm Response Cardiac related3/9/2005 Mero, Jr. James 51 Willsboro VFD Firefighter Fire Investigation Cardiac related

3/28/2005 Brooks, Sr. Robert 42 Montgomery VFD Firefighter Training Exercise Cardiac related4/4/2005 Dill Christopher 32 Buffalo City FD Firefighter Hostile Enemy Action Fatal Wounds

4/16/2005 Monica Dale 54 Burke VFD Firefighter Structure Fire Cardiac related4/17/2005 Wohrman Alfred 60 Beekman FD Commissioner Vehicle Response MVA Injuries 6/13/2005 O'Neil James 54 Hempstead FD Firefighter Vehicle Fire Cardiac related6/14/2005 Lund Peter 54 Woodmere FD Firefighter Structure Fire Cardiac related6/22/2005 McAnally William 64 Ossining FD Firefighter Sanctioned FD Activity Cardiac related6/28/2005 Husser John 55 Rockville Centre FD Firefighter Following Alarm Response Cardiac related

2005 NYS Fire Service Injuries 2005 NYS Fire Service Injuries & Deaths by Activity & Deaths by Activity

Extinguishing/Neutralizing

25%

Apparatus or Driving/Riding

Vehicle10%

Station Activity

4%

Incident Scene Activity

8%

Access/Egress3%

EMS/Rescue12%

Suppression Support

22%

Other Activity, Undetermined

or No Response

16%

2005 NYS Fire Service Deaths2005 NYS Fire Service Deaths& Injuries by Type of Duty& Injuries by Type of Duty

Other Assignment,

Undetermined or No Response

17%

Prevention, Inspection, Fire

Investigation2%

EMS10%

Suppression69%

Training2%

2005 NYS Fire Service Injuries2005 NYS Fire Service Injuries& Deaths by Cause& Deaths by Cause

Struck/Assaulted

6%

Contact with Object

15%

Exposure to Hazard

15%

Fall, Jump, Slip/Trip

22%

Other, Un-determined,

No Response21%

Overexertion/Strain21%

2005 NYS Fire Service Casualties by Symptom2005 NYS Fire Service Casualties by Symptom

Notes: Notes:

Burn Burn includes scald, includes scald, chemicalchemical

& electrical & electrical

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

1%) and undeter-1%) and undeter-

mined and no mined and no responseresponse

Shortness of Breath

3%

Cut, Puncture Wound, Bruise15%

Burn5%

Smoke/Hazardous Inhalation

4%

Undisclosed Sickness or

Pain

18%Cardiac/Respira-

tory Arrest1%

Stroke/Heat

Stroke3%

DislocationFracture,

Strain, Sprain27%

Other, Undeter-

mined, No Response

24%

2005 NYS Firefighter Injuries & 2005 NYS Firefighter Injuries & Deaths by LocationDeaths by Location

Enroute to incident, FD Location, or

medical facility4%

Other Locations, undetermined or

no response12%Returning from

Incident1%

At FD Location8%

At Scene or Medical Facility

75%

2005 NYS Fire Vehicle Accidents2005 NYS Fire Vehicle Accidents(source: NYS DMV)(source: NYS DMV)

2124

73

Fatal Accidents Non-fatalPersonal Injury

Accidents

AccidentsCausingProperty

Damage over$1000

There were a total of There were a total of 199 fire apparatus 199 fire apparatus accidents in 2005. accidents in 2005. Two persons died, Two persons died, and 263 were and 263 were injured. injured.

59 of the occupants 59 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.

NYS DMV Fire Vehicle Accident NYS DMV Fire Vehicle Accident Reports: Reports: Manner of Collision, 2005Manner of Collision, 2005

(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: (32) Failure to yield right of way(32) Failure to yield right of way(29) Driver inattention(29) Driver inattention(12) Following too closely(12) Following too closely(7) Unsafe speed(7) Unsafe speed(5) Passing or lane change (5) Passing or lane change

improperimproper

Top environmental factors cited:Top environmental factors cited: (8) Slippery pavement(8) Slippery pavement (5) Obstructed, impaired or (5) Obstructed, impaired or

limited view limited view

2005 NYS Ambulance Accidents2005 NYS Ambulance Accidents (source: NYS DMV)(source: NYS DMV)

5

377

112

Fatal Accidents Non-fatalPersonal Injury

Accidents

AccidentsCausingProperty

Damage over$1000

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.

NYS DMV Ambulance Accident NYS DMV Ambulance Accident Reports: Reports: Manner of Collision, 2005Manner of Collision, 2005

(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:

(66) Driver inattention(66) Driver inattention(63) Failure to yield right of way(63) Failure to yield right of way(33) Following too closely(33) Following too closely(17) Traffic control disregarded(17) Traffic control disregarded(12) Unsafe speed(12) Unsafe speed

Top environmental factors Top environmental factors cited:cited:

(23) Slippery pavement(23) Slippery pavement(8) Obstructed, impaired or (8) Obstructed, impaired or

limited viewlimited view

The EndThe End

Based on National Fallen Firefighters FoundationBased on National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

“Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives.”“Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives.”Adapted 8/06 with statistics from NFPA,Adapted 8/06 with statistics from NFPA,

NYS DMV & NYS OFPC by theNYS DMV & NYS OFPC by theLibrary, OFPC Academy of Fire ScienceLibrary, OFPC Academy of Fire Science