Firefighter Fatalities Statistics and Reports

The U. S. Fire Administration (USFA) has tracked the number of firefighter fatalities and conducted an annual analysis for almost 30 years.

Through the collection of information on the causes of firefighter deaths, the USFA is able to focus on specific problems and direct efforts toward finding solutions to reduce the number of firefighter fatalities in the future. This information is also used to measure the effectiveness of current programs directed toward firefighter health and safety.

Twenty-eight firefighters were killed during fireground operations in 2011.
Download the 2011 Firefighter Fatalities Report (PDF, 2.9 Mb)
In 2010, there were 2.33 firefighter fatalities per 100,000 fire incidents in the United States.
View Fatalities per 100,000
Fire Incidents Chart (2001-2010)
4,325 onduty firefighter fatalities occurred in the United States between 1977-2011.
View Onduty U.S. Firefighter Fatalities
(1977-2011) Chart

Nature of Fatal Injury

Heart Attack 46.9%
Trauma 27.9%
Asphyxiation 8.4%
Other 5.5%
Cerebrovascular Accident 3.9%

Firefighter Classifications

Volunteer 53%
Career 37%
Wildland Contract 3.5%
Paid-on-Call 2.1%
Wildland Full-Time 1.9%

Type of Duty

On-Scene Fire 29.8%
After 16.9%
Other On-Duty 16.9%
Responding 15.6%
Training 10.9%

Type of Incident

Structure Fire 31.4%
Not Incident-Related 27.5%
Motor Vehicle Accident 10%
Wildland 9.2%
Other 6.8%

Type of Activity

Other 32.7%
Advance Hose Lines/Fire Attack (includes Wildland) 15.3%
Driving/Operating Vehicle/Apparatus 9.2%
Driving/Riding Personal Vehicle 7.6%
In-Station Duties 7.4%

States with Most Fatalities

California 38
New York 37
Pennsylvania 37
North Carolina 34
Ohio 25

Totals may not equal 100% because of rounding.