Annual report on firefighter fatalities in the United States

The objective of the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) study “Firefighter Fatalities in the United States” is to identify and analyze all on-duty firefighter fatalities to increase understanding of their causes and how they can be prevented. The study is intended to help identify approaches that could reduce the number of deaths in future years.

2014 annual report: overview of findings

Firefighter fatalities in the United States in 2014

Ninety-one firefighters (56 volunteer, 30 career and five wildland agency) died while on duty in 2014.

  • Activities related to emergency incidents resulted in the deaths of 42 firefighters.
  • Twenty-five firefighters died while engaging in activities at the scene of a fire.
  • Thirteen firefighters died while responding to or returning from 14 emergency incidents.
  • Nine firefighters died as the result of vehicle crashes.
  • Heart attacks were the most frequent cause of death with 59 firefighter deaths.
  • Nine firefighters died while they were engaged in training activities.

Download “Firefighter Fatalities in the United States in 2014”

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1986-2013 annual firefighter fatality reports

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See also: Fire-Related Firefighter Injuries Reported to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (2012–2014) August 2016, PDF 806 KB

More resources on firefighter fatalities

Firefighter Autopsy Protocol PDF 2.6 MB
This protocol helps with the analysis of causes related to firefighter deaths, which can aid in the development of improved firefighter health and safety equipment, procedures and standards. It also helps determine eligibility for death benefits under the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
The Foundation provides peer counseling, training and technical assistance for families and coworkers of firefighters who were killed in the line of duty. It also creates publications and reference materials that can be used to build public awareness for the many contributions made by members of the fire service.

Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program
The Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program provides benefits to survivors of fallen firefighters, Emergency Medical Services members and other first responders. The Program also provides disability benefits for public safety officers who are permanently disabled following an injury while in the line of duty.