Each year an average of 105 fire fighters die in the line of duty. To
address this continuing national occupational fatality problem, NIOSH
conducts independent investigations of fire fighter line of duty deaths.
This web page provides access to NIOSH investigation reports and other
fire fighter safety resources.
SPOTLIGHT |
IAFC Fire/EMS Safety, Health, and Survival Week
NIOSH is proud to once again support the IAFC in promoting the IAFC Fire / EMS Safety, Health, and Survival Week June 14-20, 2009. The theme for this years program is Protect Yourself: Your Safety, Health and Survival Are Your Responsibility.
(External link: http://www.iafc.org/safetyweek/)
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Fatality Investigation Reports
To list all investigative reports completed for a particular state, click
on the map.
The drop down boxes below allow for interactive queries
of completed investigative reports. Select a state, incident year and/or
Medical or Trauma Category from the selection boxes and click on Submit.
Recently Released Reports
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2007-28 A Career Captain and an Engineer Die While Conducting a Primary Search at a Residential Structure Fire – California (reposted 4/30/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2008-03 Nine Fire Fighters from a Combination Department Injured in an Explosion at a Restaurant Fire – Colorado (added 4/20/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2008-23 Fire Fighter-Emergency Medical Technician Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death After Multiple Emergency Responses – Massachusetts (added 4/16/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2008-19 Paid On Call Fire Fighter Suffers a Fatal Cardiac Event Just After Completing Two Hose Training Drills – Wisconsin (added 4/16/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2008-18 Career Fire Fighter Suffers Cardiac Arrest and Dies While Conducting Overhaul Operations at a Structure Fire – Missouri (added 4/16/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2007-34 Fire Fighter Suffers a Heart Attack and Dies After Completing Work Capacity Test – Idaho (added 4/16/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2009-03 Volunteer Fire Fighter Sitting in his Parked Vehicle Warning Oncoming Traffic of a Motor Vehicle Incident was Struck and Killed by a Tractor-Trailer – Montana (added 4/9/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2008-25 Fire Fighter Dies after being Ejected from a Pumper in a Single Vehicle Rollover Crash – New York (added 3/31/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2007-25 Two Volunteer Fire Fighters Die in a Tanker Rollover – North Carolina (added 3/31/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2002-22 Fire Fighter Suffers Sudden Death at Fire at his Residence – Florida (Revision added 3/30/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2008-21 Volunteer Fire Chief Killed when Buried by Brick Parapet Wall Collapse – Texas (added 3/16/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2008-01 Career Fire Captain Electrocuted After Contacting Overhead Powerline From the Platform of an Elevating Platform Fire Apparatus – Pennsylvania (added 3/16/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2008-15 Engineer Suffers Fatal Heart Attack at Scene of Residential Fire – Michigan (added 3/10/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2008-13 Fire Fighter-Emergency Medical Technician Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death During Overhaul – New York (added 3/10/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2008-20 Volunteer Fire Fighter Dies While Performing Exterior Fire Suppression at a Large Machine Shed Fire – Illinois (added 2/23/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2008-12 Volunteer Deputy Fire Chief Dies When Struck by Motorized Water Monitor that “Launched” Off Aerial Ladder Truck – Pennsylvania (added 2/13/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2002-22 Fire Fighter Suffers Sudden Death at Fire at his Residence – Florida (revision added 2/13/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2007-18 Nine Career Fire Fighters Die in Rapid Fire Progression at Commercial Furniture Showroom – South Carolina (added 2/12/09)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2008-04 Fire Fighter Trainee Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death During Strenuous Training Drill – Georgia (added 2/2/09)
Recent NIOSH
Fire Fighter Safety Publications
Preventing Deaths and Injuries of Fire Fighters Working Above Fire-Damaged Floors
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2009-114
Fire fighters are at risk of falling through fire-damaged floors.
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program: Leading Recommendations for Preventing Fire Fighter Fatalities, 1998–2005
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2009-100
This document is a synthesis of the 1,286 individual recommendations from the 335 FFFIPP investigations conducted from 1998 to 2005.
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program Evaluation
NIOSH report of findings from its national survey of U.S. fire departments.
Preventing Fire Fighter Fatalities Due to Heart Attacks and Other Sudden Cardiovascular Events
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-133
Fire fighters are at risk of dying on the job from preventable cardiovascular conditions.
FDA AND NIOSH Public Health Notification: Oxygen Regulator Fires Resulting from Incorrect Use of CGA 870 Seals
External link: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/042406-o2fires.html
This document provides information on the danger of fires at the interface of oxygen regulators and cylinder valves because of incorrect use of CGA 870 seals, and identifies measures to prevent such fires.
NIOSH Alert: Preventing
Injuries and Deaths of Fire Fighters due to Truss System Failures
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-132
Fire fighters may be injured and killed when fire-damaged roof and floor
truss systems collapse, sometimes without warning.
NIOSH
Workplace Solutions—Preventing Deaths and Injuries to Fire Fighters
During Live-Fire Training in Acquired Structures
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-102
Fire fighters are subjected to many hazards when participating in live-fire
training. Training facilities with approved burn buildings should be used
for live-fire training whenever possible. However, when acquired structures
are used for live-fire training, NIOSH strongly recommends that fire departments
follow the national consensus guidelines in NFPA 1403, standard on live-fire
training evolutions [NFPA 2002a] to reduce the risk of injury and death.
These guidelines are summarized in the recommendations in this document.
Radio Communication
Current Status, Knowledge Gaps, and Research
Needs Pertaining to Firefighter Radio Communication Systems
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) commissioned
this study to identify and address specific deficiencies in firefighter
radio communications and to identify technologies that may address these
deficiencies. Specifically to be addressed were current and emerging technologies
that improve, or hold promise to improve, firefighter radio communications
and provide firefighter location in structures.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology, Building and Fire Research Laboratory publication "Testing of Portable Radios in a Fire Fighting Environment" 265 KB (24 pages)
External link: http://fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/fire06/PDF/f06015.pdf focuses on the thermal environment that radios would be expected to withstand while being used in structural fire fighting operations. Current NFPA standards for radios are reviewed and recommendations for establishing performance standards are presented. The need for providing additional protection from the thermal environment is documented.
Page last updated:
April 30, 2009
Page last reviewed:
April 8, 2008
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
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