Bituminous Insurance Companies

Fire Fighter Injuries Significant

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) recently released an investigative report on fire fighter injuries during 2004. The report, Fire-Related Firefighter Injuries in 2004, identifies the leading cause of fire fighter injuries to be related to stress and overexertion (16.4 percent).

During 2004, 75,840 fire fighters were injured while on duty, representing a minimal decrease from 2003. Of the 75,840 deaths, 73 percent occurred at fire scenes; however, according to the report, "many firefighter injuries (38 percent) occur in areas outside the fire building, a place where the firefighter may feel relatively safe." Additionally, when compared to the number of civilian fire injuries, twice as many firefighters are injured at fires as the public they are serving.

The report further identifies that 49 percent of the injured fire fighters required treatment at a hospital and 28.5 percent resulted in a lost time injury. Additionally, the report provides a break down of injuries by age, time of day, and fire location.

The full report can be downloaded from the USFA Web site at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/.

COPYRIGHT ©2008, ISO Services Properties, Inc.

The information contained in this publication was obtained from sources believed to be reliable. ISO Services Properties, Inc., its companies and employees make no guarantee of results and assume no liability in connection with either the information herein contained or the safety suggestions herein made. Moreover, it cannot be assumed that every acceptable safety procedure is contained herein or that abnormal or unusual circumstances may not warrant or require further or additional procedure.