A PROVISIONAL REPORT
ON-DUTY FIREFIGHTER FATALITIES IN THE UNITED STATES
Date Range 1/1/2009 to 3/31/2009

Number of On-Duty Firefighter Fatalities: 25 
Count of Hometown Heroes: 1 

Classification: 

14 Volunteer 56% 
10 Career 40% 
1 Part-Time(Paid) 4% 

Number of Multiple Firefighter Fatality Incidents: 2 
Number of Firefighter Fatalities Associated with Wildland Incidents: 4 

Type of Duty: 

9 On-Scene Fire 36% 
4 Other On-Duty 16% 
3 On-Scene Non-Fire 12% 
3 After 12% 
3 Responding 12% 
2 Training 8% 
1 Returning 4% 

Percent of Fatalities Related to Emergency Duty: 72% 
Number of firefighter fatalities associated with incendiary fires: 2

Type of Incident: 

8 Not Incident Related 32% 
7 Structure Fire 28% 
4 Wildland 16% 
2 MVA 8% 
2EMS 8% 
1 Outside Fire 4% 
1 Other 4% 


Cause of Fatal Injury: 

11 Stress/Overexertion 44% 
5 Vehicle Collision 20% 
3 Fall 12% 
2 Struck by 8% 
2 Lost 8% 
1 Caught/Trapped 4% 
1 Contact with 4% 

Nature of Fatal Injury: 

11 Heart Attack 44% 
9 Trauma 36% 
3 Asphyxiation 12% 
1 Violence 4% 
1 Electrocution 4% 

Age of Firefighter When the Fatal Injury Was Sustained: 

0 - Under 21 
2 - 21 to 25 
1 - 26 to 30 
3 - 31 to 40 
8 - 41 to 50 
6 - 51 to 60 
4 - 61 and Over 
1 - Unknown 

Percent of Firefighter Fatalities Under Age 40: 24.0% 

Type of Activity: 

7 Not On Scene 28% 
6 Unknown 24% 
4 Advance Hose Lines 16% 
3 Responding 12% 
2 Other 8% 
1 Water Supply 4% 
1 Scene Safety 4% 
1 S&R 4% 




Time of Fatal Injury: 

2 0100-0259 
0 0300-0459 
1 0500-0659 
0 0700-0859 
0 0900-1059 
0 1100-1259 
5 1300-1459 
3 1500-1659 
0 1700-1859 
2 1900-2059 
3 2100-2259 
3 2300-0059 
6 Unknown 

Month of the Year: 

9 January 36% 
9 February 36% 
7 March 28% 

Firefighter Fatalities by State by Location of Fire Service Organization: 

2 Alabama 8% 
1 Connecticut 4% 
2 Florida 8% 
1 Georgia 4% 
1 Massachusetts 4% 
1 Missouri 4% 
1 Mississippi 4% 
2 North Carolina 8% 
2 New Jersey 8% 
1 New York 4% 
1 Ohio 4% 
4 Oklahoma 16% 
1 Pennsylvania 4% 
2 Texas 8% 
1 Wisconsin 4% 
2 West Virginia 8% 



Firefighter Fatalities by State by Location of Fatal Incident: 

2 Alabama 8% 
1 Connecticut 4% 
2 Florida 8% 
1 Georgia 4% 
1 Massachusetts 4% 
1 Missouri 4% 
1 Mississippi 4% 
2 North Carolina 8% 
2 New Jersey 8% 
1 New York 4% 
1 Ohio 4% 
4 Oklahoma 16% 
1 Pennsylvania 4% 
2 Texas 8% 
1 Wisconsin 4% 
2 West Virginia 8%