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Each year an average of 105 fire fighters die in the line of duty. To
address this continuing national occupational fatality problem, NIOSH
conducts independent investigations of fire fighter line of duty deaths.
This web page provides access to NIOSH investigation reports and other
fire fighter safety resources.
| SPOTLIGHT |
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NIOSH Releases Publication on Risk Management at Structure Fires
Fire fighters are often killed or injured when fighting fires in abandoned, vacant, and unoccupied structures. These structures pose additional and sometimes unique risks due to the potential for fire fighters to encounter unexpected and unsafe building conditions such as dilapidation, decay, damage from previous fires and vandals, and other factors such as uncertain occupancy status. NIOSH urges fire departments to ensure that risk management principles are used at all structure fires to ensure the appropriate strategy and tactics are used based on the fireground conditions encountered. NIOSH Alert: Preventing Deaths and Injuries of Fire Fighters using Risk Management Principles at Structure Fires |
Fatality Investigation Reports
To list all investigative reports completed for a particular state, click
on the map.
Map Data in Tabular Format
The drop down boxes below allow for interactive queries
of completed investigative reports. Select a state, incident year and/or
Medical or Trauma Category from the selection boxes and click on Submit.
Recently Released Reports
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2010-08 Major Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death During Physical Fitness Training – Kentucky
(added 8/18/10)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2007-37 Two Career Fire Fighters Die Following a Seven-Alarm Fire in a High-Rise Building Undergoing Simultaneous Deconstruction and Asbestos Abatement – New York (added 8/13/10)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2010-04 Fire Fighter Suffers Probable Fatal Cardiac Arrhythmia During On-Duty Mandatory Physical Fitness Training – North Carolina (added 8/4/10)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2009-31 One Fire Fighter Killed and Eight Fire Fighters Injured in a Dumpster Explosion at a Foundry – Wisconsin (added 8/4/10)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2009-30 Career Fire Fighter/Paramedic Dies 2 Days After Being Ejected During an Ambulance Rollover Incident – Georgia (added 8/4/10)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2009-17 Fire Fighter Trainee Suffers Fatal Exertional Heat Stroke During Physical Fitness Training – Texas (added 8/4/10)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2009-27 Captain Suffers Fatal Heart Attack While Participating in Fire Department Physical Fitness Program – Mississippi (added 6/23/10)
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation # F2009-29 Lieutenant Suffers Fatal Heart Attack During Fire Operations – Pennsylvania (added 6/22/10)
Recent NIOSH
Fire Fighter Safety Publications
NIOSH Alert: Preventing Deaths and Injuries of Fire Fighters using Risk Management Principles at Structure Fires
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-153
Fire fighters are often killed or injured when fighting fires in abandoned, vacant, and unoccupied structures. These structures pose additional and sometimes unique risks due to the potential for fire fighters to encounter unexpected and unsafe building conditions such as dilapidation, decay, damage from previous fires and vandals, and other factors such as uncertain occupancy status. Risk management principles must be applied at all structure fires to ensure the appropriate strategy and tactics are used based on the fireground conditions encountered.
Preventing Exposures to Bloodborne Pathogens among Paramedics
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-139
Patient care puts paramedics at risk of exposure to blood. These exposures carry the risk of infection from bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS. A national survey of 2,664 paramedics contributed new information about their risk of exposure to blood and identified opportunities to control exposures and prevent infections.
Preventing Deaths and Injuries of Fire Fighters Working Above Fire-Damaged Floors
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2009-114
Fire fighters are at risk of falling through fire-damaged floors.
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program: Leading Recommendations for Preventing Fire Fighter Fatalities, 1998–2005
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2009-100
This document is a synthesis of the 1,286 individual recommendations from the 335 FFFIPP investigations conducted from 1998 to 2005.
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program Evaluation
NIOSH report of findings from its national survey of U.S. fire departments.
Preventing Fire Fighter Fatalities Due to Heart Attacks and Other Sudden Cardiovascular Events
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-133
Fire fighters are at risk of dying on the job from preventable cardiovascular conditions.
FDA AND NIOSH Public Health Notification: Oxygen Regulator Fires Resulting from Incorrect Use of CGA 870 Seals 
This document provides information on the danger of fires at the interface of oxygen regulators and cylinder valves because of incorrect use of CGA 870 seals, and identifies measures to prevent such fires.
NIOSH Alert: Preventing
Injuries and Deaths of Fire Fighters due to Truss System Failures
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-132
Fire fighters may be injured and killed when fire-damaged roof and floor
truss systems collapse, sometimes without warning.
NIOSH
Workplace Solutions—Preventing Deaths and Injuries to Fire Fighters
During Live-Fire Training in Acquired Structures
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-102
Fire fighters are subjected to many hazards when participating in live-fire
training. Training facilities with approved burn buildings should be used
for live-fire training whenever possible. However, when acquired structures
are used for live-fire training, NIOSH strongly recommends that fire departments
follow the national consensus guidelines in NFPA 1403, standard on live-fire
training evolutions [NFPA 2002a] to reduce the risk of injury and death.
These guidelines are summarized in the recommendations in this document.
Radio Communication
The past few decades have seen major advancements in the communication industry. These advancements have improved radio frequency spectrum efficiency, but also have added complexity to the expansion of existing systems and the design of new systems. The U.S. Fire Administration in conjunction with the International Association of Fire Fighters has released the report Voice Radio Communications Guide for the Fire Service  3.85 MB (77 pages) This report is designed to help fire service leaders and members understand new communication and radio system issues in order to remain informed players in the process.
Current Status, Knowledge Gaps, and Research
Needs Pertaining to Firefighter Radio Communication Systems
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) commissioned
this study to identify and address specific deficiencies in firefighter
radio communications and to identify technologies that may address these
deficiencies. Specifically to be addressed were current and emerging technologies
that improve, or hold promise to improve, firefighter radio communications
and provide firefighter location in structures.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology, Building and Fire Research Laboratory publication "Testing of Portable Radios in a Fire Fighting Environment" 265 KB (24 pages)
focuses on the thermal environment that radios would be expected to withstand while being used in structural fire fighting operations. Current NFPA standards for radios are reviewed and recommendations for establishing performance standards are presented. The need for providing additional protection from the thermal environment is documented.
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