Code 3 Podcast: An inconvenient truth about fire death stats

Dan Byrne shares ideas for how to stem the increasing number of fire deaths in America

Since 1977, firefighter line-of-duty-deaths have been dropping. You know that already, right? And structure fires are decreasing as well, which you also know.

Here’s something you may not realize: More civilians are dying in fires. It’s true.

Since the 1980s, the rate of fire deaths is up 6%.

How did we get into this situation – and what will it take to fix it?

Daniel Byrne’s is a community support officer for the Burton Fire District in Beaufort County, South Carolina. He’s a third-generation firefighter, and a retired assistant chief of training from the Georgia Air National Guard 165^th Fire Department. Bryne’s got some ideas about how the fire service can help lower the incidence of fire deaths in the United States.

About the author

Code 3 is hosted by award-winning journalist Scott Orr, who has covered the fire/EMS/police beat for most of his 30-plus year career in news. He's worked around the country in both TV and print. Orr was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease over a decade ago, but that doesn't stop him from interviewing fire service leaders on issues that concern firefighters around the nation.

Code 3 is available for download on iTunes, Google Podcasts and at the Code 3 website. Find it on Twitter and Facebook.