News
USFA Releases Provisional 2008 Firefighter Fatality Statistics
On-duty firefighter fatalities decreased from 118 in 2007 to 114 in 2008 according to a provisional report by the United States Fire Administration (USFA). Fatalities were recorded from 34 states and the Virgin Islands with North Carolina sustaining the highest number of fatalities at 11.
A breakdown of the information reveals that heart attack and stroke resulted in the death of 50 firefighters or 43.8 percent of the total number of fatalities which is a slight decrease from 2007. The provisional report found that 64.9 percent of all fatalities occurred while performing emergency duties. Twenty-nine firefighters died as the result of vehicle crashes, with 15 deaths the result of motor vehicle accidents and the remaining 14 deaths involving aircraft.
The most shocking statistic came as a result of the difficult 2008 wildfire season. Twenty-six on-duty firefighters lost their lives in association with wildland fire. This statistic is more than double the 11 firefighters who perished in 2007. Additionally, the fatality total is well above the annual average of 21 wildland fire-associated deaths from over the past 10 years.
USFA is expected to publish its official fatality report in early July. For more information and other reports visit www.usfa.dhs.gov.
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Kimberly Ettinger
Director of Communications
202-887-5700 ext. 19
David Finger
Director of Government Relations
202-887-5700 ext. 12