Each year, thousands of firefighters suffer fire-related injuries.
While some injuries are minor, a significant amount is career-ending.
A report by the National Fire Incident Reporting System found that from 2010 to 2012, an estimated 70,450 firefighter injuries occurred annually. Of these injuries, 31,550 occurred on the fireground and 4,150 while responding or returning from an incident.
The report also found that firefighters are 11 times more likely to be injured in structure fires than in non-structure fires. And, more than half of fire-related injuries (58 percent) resulted in no lost work time. These injuries were treated on-scene with first aid or by a physician.
A total of 42 percent of fire-related injuries resulted in lost work time. Most injuries were moderate, with only 3 percent categorized as severe or life-threatening.
Career firefighters made up 67.8 percent of the reported injuries where a department type was named. Volunteer firefighters accounted for the remaining 32.2 percent.
Below are some key statistics from the report. To see the entire report, click here.
- Total of 87 percent of fire-related injuries occurred in structure fires, which had more injuries per fire than non-structure fires.
- Vehicle and other fires combined accounted for 13 percent.
- Injuries resulted in lost work time for 42 percent of firefighters with reported fire-related injuries.
- Nonresidential buildings were the site of 13.1 percent of firefighter injuries; 62.2 percent occurred at residential structure fires.
- Fires resulting in firefighter injuries were more prevalent in July at 12 percent and peaked between the hours of 1 and 4 p.m.
- Overexertion/strain was the cause of 27 percent of reported fire-related injuries.
- Exhaustion, dizziness and dehydration accounted for 15.2 percent of the injuries.
- 95 percent of injuries were sustained by males; injuries peaked between ages 40 to 44.
- 4.7 percent of injuries were sustained by females; injuries peaked between ages 20 to 24 and 30 to 34.
- Nearly one-third of all injuries (32 percent) occurred to firefighters aged 35 to 44.
- Only 9 percent indicated protective gear failures as a factor in the injury.
- Volunteer firefighters younger than 25 accounted for 28 percent of injuries.