The 2023 report by the National Fire Protection Association showcases significant reductions in deaths among firefighters compared to the previous year, 2022, and still stands as the second-highest number recorded since 2013. 

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released their ‘Fatal Firefighter Injuries in the U.S. in 2023’ report. This newly released report showcased significant reductions in fatalities among career firefighters, which accounted for a 23 percent decline from 39 deaths in 2022 to 30 deaths in 2023. 

The 2023 report shows a total of 89 on-duty U.S. firefighter fatalities, showcasing an eight percent decline over the 97 fatal injuries in 2022. Among these, 50 were volunteer firefighters, and 30 were career fighters. Apart from them, there were nine non-municipal firefighter fatalities, encompassing five full-time state forestry rangers, one state forestry contractor, one full-time federal forest service firefighter, and two military firefighters. 

Although there has been a decline in the number of fatalities in 2023 as compared to the numbers in 2022, 89 deaths stand as the second-highest number recorded since 2013, when the on-duty fatal injuries reported stood at 98. 

The increase in the number of fatalities over the past two years reflects the inclusion of cardiac arrest deaths and strokes or aneurysms that occurred within 24 hours of duty. Contrary to this, these deaths were previously not considered unless there was a physical complaint specifically stating the above conditions while the firefighter was on duty. Now, they are taken irrespective of reported symptoms while on duty. 

Jay Petrillo, a fire data analyst at NFPA and co-author of the report, said, “The fatalities due to rapid-fire progression and structural collapses may be at least partially due to the fact that today’s fires burn hotter and faster. Fortunately, within the fire service there is certainly recognition of the importance of improving knowledge about fire behavior and fire dynamics in order to better protect firefighter safety and health.”

With the vast majority of 48 fatalities suffering from cardiac deaths, more than one-half (54%) of the fatalities succumbed to overexertion and strain in 2023. According to the report, preventive measures such as fitness programs, yearly medical evaluations, and medical monitoring can contribute to effective cardiac health. However, with the predominance of volunteer firefighters among sudden cardiac deaths within 24 hours, additional areas of intervention can help dig deeper into the issue and help prevent such situations.

“While the overall downward trend in the annual number of firefighter fatalities is an encouraging indication that injury prevention efforts through the years are having an impact, there is a still a clear need for continuing attention to firefighter safety and health,” said Richard Campbell, senior research analyst at NFPA who co-authored the report with Petrillo. “Sudden cardiac deaths remain a critical concern, with the inclusion of deaths within 24 hours of duty bringing the issue into sharper focus.”

Other than cardiac deaths, trauma injuries also contributed towards one-third of deaths — which included 18 firefighter fatalities in vehicle crashes. This number represents the highest number of vehicle crash fatalities since 2008. The 2023 report also highlights four multiple fatality incidents in 2023 that contributed to the death of more than one firefighter. One of the incidents included the death of three lives, while the remaining accounted for the deaths of two firefighters each. 

Even though these numbers represent a decrease over the six multiple-fatality incidents reported in 2022, the numbers this year account for the third time since 2014, when the number of multiple-fatality incidents recorded was four or more. 

For more information, visit the official website of NFPA. 

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Source: NFPA