A PROVISIONAL REPORT
ON-DUTY FIREFIGHTER FATALITIES IN THE UNITED STATES
Date Range 1/1/2008 to 8/31/2008

Number of On-Duty Firefighter Fatalities: 84 
Count of Hometown Heroes: 7 

Classification: 

40 Volunteer 47.6% 
23 Career 27.3% 
9 Wildland Contract 10.7% 
3 Wildland Full-Time 3.57% 
3 Part-Time(Paid) 3.57% 
3 Paid-on-Call 3.57% 
3 Wildland Part-Time 3.57% 

Number of Multiple Firefighter Fatality Incidents: 4 
Number of Firefighter Fatalities Associated with Wildland Incidents: 19 

Type of Duty: 

25 On-Scene Fire 29.7% 
24 Other On-Duty 28.5% 
13 Responding 15.4% 
9 After 10.7% 
6 On-Scene Non-Fire 7.14% 
4 Training 4.76% 
2 Returning 2.38% 
1 Other 1.19% 

Percent of Fatalities Related to Emergency Duty: 66.6% 
Number of firefighter fatalities associated with suspicious/arson fires: 1 

Type of Incident: 

26 Not Incident Related 30.9% 
24 Structure Fire 28.5% 
17 Wildland 20.2% 
5 MVA 5.95% 
4 EMS 4.76% 
4 Other 4.76% 
2 Vehicle Fire 2.38% 
1 Tech Rescue 1.19% 
1 Rescue/Extrication 1.19% 


Cause of Fatal Injury: 

35 Stress/Overexertion 41.6% 
23 Vehicle Collision 27.3% 
11 Struck by 13.0% 
10 Caught/Trapped 11.9% 
2 Fall 2.38% 
1 Collapse 1.19% 
1 Other 1.19% 
1 Contact with 1.19% 

Nature of Fatal Injury: 

35 Trauma 41.6% 
31 Heart Attack 36.9%
6 Asphyxiation 7.14% 
4 Burns 4.76% 
4 CVA 4.76% 
2 Violence 2.38% 
1 Electrocution 1.19% 
1 Other 1.19% 

Age of Firefighter When the Fatal Injury Was Sustained: 

5 - Under 21 
9 - 21 to 25 
8 - 26 to 30 
18 - 31 to 40 
19 - 41 to 50 
9 - 51 to 60 
16 - 61 and Over 

Percent of Firefighter Fatalities Under Age 40 42.9% 



Type of Activity: 

38 Not On Scene 45.2% 
13 Advance Hose Lines 15.4% 
13 Responding 15.4% 
5 Other 5.95% 
4 Unknown 4.76% 
3 IC 3.57% 
2 Support 2.38%
2 S&R 2.38%
1 Extrication 1.19% 
1 Ventilation 1.19% 
1 Scene Safety 1.19% 
1 Unknown 1.19% 

Time of Fatal Injury: 

2 0100-0259 
0 0300-0459 
10 0500-0659 
8 0700-0859 
9 0900-1059 
8 1100-1259 
5 1300-1459 
10 1500-1659 
6 1700-1859 
16 1900-2059 
2 2100-2259 
2 2300-0059 
6 Unknown 

Month of the Year: 

13 January 15.4% 
12 February 14.2% 
11 March 13.0% 
10 April 11.9% 
6 May 7.14% 
7 June 8.33% 
11 July 13.0% 
14 August 16.6% 



Firefighter Fatalities by State by Location of Fire Service Organization: 

1 Alabama 1.19% 
1 Arkansas 1.19% 
1 Arizona 1.19% 
6 California 7.14% 
4 Colorado 4.76% 
2 Florida 2.38% 
1 Georgia 1.19% 
4 Illinois 4.76% 
2 Indiana 2.38% 
1 Kentucky 1.19% 
2 Louisiana 2.38% 
2 Maryland 2.38% 
1 Michigan 1.19% 
1 Minnesota 1.19% 
5 Missouri 5.95% 
2 Mississippi 2.38% 
1 Montana 1.19% 
10 North Carolina 11.9% 
1 New Jersey 1.19% 
1 New Mexico 1.19% 
3 New York 3.57% 
5 Ohio 5.95% 
1 Oklahoma 1.19% 
9 Oregon 10.7% 
9 Pennsylvania 10.7% 
1 Rhode Island 1.19% 
3 Texas 3.57% 
2 Washington 2.38% 
1 Wisconsin 1.19% 
1 West Virginia 1.19% 


Firefighter Fatalities by State by Location of Fatal Incident: 

1 Alabama 1.19% 
1 Arkansas 1.19% 
2 Arizona 2.38% 
16 California 19.0% 
4 Colorado 4.76% 
2 Florida 2.38% 
1 Georgia 1.19% 
4 Illinois 4.76% 
2 Indiana 2.38% 
1 Kentucky 1.19% 
2 Louisiana 2.38% 
2 Maryland 2.38% 
1 Michigan 1.19% 
1 Minnesota 1.19% 
5 Missouri 5.95% 
2 Mississippi 2.38% 
10 North Carolina 11.9% 
1 New Jersey 1.19% 
1 New Mexico 1.19% 
3 New York 3.57% 
5 Ohio 5.95% 
1 Oklahoma 1.19% 
1 Oregon 1.19% 
9 Pennsylvania 10.7% 
1 Rhode Island 1.19% 
3 Texas 3.57% 
1 Wisconsin 1.19% 
1 West Virginia 1.19%