A PROVISIONAL REPORT
ON-DUTY FIREFIGHTER FATALITIES IN THE UNITED STATES
Date Range 1/1/2008 to 12/31/2008

Number of On-Duty Firefighter Fatalities: 114 
Count of Hometown Heroes: 9 

Classification: 

56 Volunteer 49.1% 
30 Career 26.3% 
13 Wildland Contract 11.4% 
4 Part-Time(Paid) 3.50% 
4 Paid-on-Call 3.50% 
4 Wildland Part-Time 3.50% 
3 Wildland Full-Time 2.63% 

Number of Multiple Firefighter Fatality Incidents: 5 
Number of Firefighter Fatalities Associated with Wildland Incidents 26 

Type of Duty: 

31 On-Scene Fire 27.1% 
29 Other On-Duty 25.4% 
19 Responding 16.6% 
12 On-Scene Non-Fire 10.5% 
11 After 9.64% 
9 Training 7.89%
2 Returning 1.75% 
1 Other 0.87% 

Percent of Fatalities Related to Emergency Duty: 64.9% 
Number of firefighter fatalities associated with incendiary fires: 2 

Type of Incident: 

37 Not Incident Related 32.4% 
31 Structure Fire 27.1% 
22 Wildland 19.2% 
12 MVA 10.5% 
4 EMS 3.50% 
4 Other 3.50% 
2 Vehicle Fire 1.75% 
1 Tech Rescue 0.87% 
1 Rescue/Extrication 0.87% 


Cause of Fatal Injury: 

50 Stress/Overexertion 43.8% 
29 Vehicle Collision 25.4% 
14 Struck by 12.2% 
10 Caught/Trapped 8.77% 
3 Fall 2.63% 
2 Collapse 1.75% 
2 Unknown 1.75% 
1 Lost 0.87% 
1 Assault 0.87% 
0 Terrorist Attack 
1 Contact with 0.87% 
1 Other 0.87% 

Nature of Fatal Injury: 

47 Trauma 41.2% 
46 Heart Attack 40.3% 
7 Asphyxiation 6.14% 
4 Burns 3.50% 
4 CVA 3.50% 
2 Violence 1.75% 
2 Unknown 1.75% 
1 Electrocution 0.87% 
1 Other 0.87% 

Age of Firefighter When the Fatal Injury Was Sustained: 

6 - Under 21 
13 - 21 to 25 
9 - 26 to 30 
23 - 31 to 40 
28 - 41 to 50 
15 - 51 to 60 
20 - 61 and Over 

Percent of Firefighter Fatalities Under Age 40: 41.2% 




Type of Activity: 

50 Not On Scene 43.8% 
19 Responding 16.6% 
14 Advance Hose Lines 12.2% 
7 Other 6.14% 
5 Unknown 4.38% 
5 Unknown 4.38% 
4 Scene Safety 3.50% 
3 S&R 2.63% 
3 IC 2.63% 
2 Support 1.75% 
1 Extrication 0.87% 
1 Ventilation 0.87% 

Time of Fatal Injury: 

4 0100-0259 
1 0300-0459 
11 0500-0659 
9 0700-0859 
9 0900-1059 
12 1100-1259 
8 1300-1459 
13 1500-1659 
11 1700-1859 
18 1900-2059 
4 2100-2259 
4 2300-0059 
10 Unknown 

Month of the Year: 

13 January 11.4% 
12 February 10.5% 
11 March 9.64% 
10 April 8.77% 
6 May 5.26% 
7 June 6.14% 
11 July 9.64% 
15 August 13.1% 
7 September 6.14% 
4 October 3.50% 
10 November 8.77% 
8 December 7.01% 


Firefighter Fatalities by State by Location of Fire Service Organization: 

2 Alabama 1.75% 
1 Arkansas 0.87% 
2 Arizona 1.75% 
8 California 7.01% 
3 Colorado 2.63% 
1 Delaware 0.87% 
2 Florida 1.75% 
2 Georgia 1.75% 
6 Illinois 5.26% 
2 Indiana 1.75% 
1 Kentucky 0.87% 
3 Louisiana 2.63% 
3 Maryland 2.63% 
1 Maine 0.87% 
2 Michigan 1.75% 
1 Minnesota 0.87% 
6 Missouri 5.26% 
3 Mississippi 2.63% 
5 Montana 4.38% 
11 North Carolina 9.64% 
2 New Jersey 1.75% 
1 New Mexico 0.87% 
7 New York 6.14% 
6 Ohio 5.26% 
1 Oklahoma 0.87% 
9 Oregon 7.89% 
9 Pennsylvania 7.89% 
2 Rhode Island 1.75% 
1 South Carolina 0.87% 
4 Texas 3.50% 
1 Virginia 0.87% 
1 Virgin Islands 0.87% 
2 Washington 1.75% 
2 Wisconsin 1.75% 
1 West Virginia 0.87% 


Firefighter Fatalities by State by Location of Fatal Incident: 

2 Alabama 1.75% 
1 Arkansas 0.87% 
2 Arizona 1.75% 
18 California 15.7% 
4 Colorado 3.50% 
1 Delaware 0.87% 
2 Florida 1.75% 
2 Georgia 1.75% 
6 Illinois 5.26% 
2 Indiana 1.75% 
1 Kentucky 0.87% 
3 Louisiana 2.63% 
3 Maryland 2.63% 
1 Maine 0.87% 
2 Michigan 1.75% 
1 Minnesota 0.87% 
6 Missouri 5.26% 
3 Mississippi 2.63% 
1 Montana 0.87% 
11 North Carolina 9.64% 
2 New Jersey 1.75% 
1 New Mexico 0.87% 
3 Nevada 2.63% 
7 New York 6.14% 
6 Ohio 5.26% 
1 Oklahoma 0.87% 
1 Oregon 0.87% 
9 Pennsylvania 7.89% 
2 Rhode Island 1.75% 
1 South Carolina 0.87% 
4 Texas 3.50% 
2 Virginia 1.75% 
2 Wisconsin 1.75% 
1 West Virginia 0.87%