The highest number of fatal firefighter injuries recorded since 2013, according to the NFPA

In their most recent report, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) revealed a significant increase in fatal firefighter injuries in the US for the year 2022. This was outlined in the report, “Fatal Firefighter Injuries in the US in 2022”, co-authored by Richard Campbell and Jay T. Petrillo.

A concerning upward trend in firefighter deaths

According to the report, a total of 96 fatal firefighter injuries occurred while on-duty, the highest count since 2013. This marked increase is primarily attributed to the inclusion of deaths occurring within the first 24 hours post-duty, which were not previously counted without a specific physical complaint while on duty.

Understanding the nature and cause of fatal injuries

The report provides comprehensive statistics from the NFPA’s study on on-duty firefighter fatalities in 2022. It offers insights into patterns by type of duty at the time of fatal injury, the cause and nature of injuries, age of victims, types of incidents, and the kind of properties involved in fires.

NFPA’s report sheds light on specific details of fatal incidents

Key findings from the report include the following: Of the 96 fatalities, 51 were volunteer firefighters, 38 were career firefighters, six were contractors to state and federal land management agencies, and one was a full-time federal land management employee. There were six incidents with multiple fatalities, matching the highest number of such incidents since 2009. The majority of deaths happened on the fireground while firefighters were dealing with fires or explosions. Twenty-one fatalities happened while firefighters were either responding to or returning from alarms. Overexertion and stress were responsible for just over half of the deaths. Fourteen firefighters died in vehicle crashes.

Where to access the full NFPA report

The full NFPA report is available here: NFPA Full Report

About the NFPA

The National Fire Protection Association is an international nonprofit organisation that’s devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards. They provide information, knowledge, and advice to reduce the burden of fire and other hazards on quality of life.

IFSJ Comment

This latest report from the NFPA serves as a sobering reminder of the risks our brave firefighters face on a daily basis. It’s critical news that should prompt renewed efforts towards safeguarding our first responders, providing them with the necessary training and resources to handle the inherently dangerous tasks they undertake. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of comprehensive data collection in understanding and mitigating these risks.