Earlier this month FEMA released their 2003 report on firefighter fatalities. ( http://www.usfa.fema.gov/inside-usfa/nfdc/pubs/ff_fat.shtm ) Once again, we have had a banner year, 113 deaths. According to their report, “eighth time in the past 10 years, and the eleventh time within the past 15 years, when the total number of firefighter fatalities has reached or exceeded 100”. There were 81 volunteer firefighter deaths and 30 career firefighter deaths. While the numbers are interesting, the facts behind them give us a chance to learn and prevent further losses.
Everyone learns from their mistakes, but this is one area where we should be sure to learn from others mistakes to prevent further tragedies. The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has the stated goal to have a 25 percent reduction in fatalities in 5 years and a 50 percent reduction in fatalities within 10 years. The research that was put into the report and making it available to the public goes a long way towards meeting this goal as long as we put it to use.
Since not everyone has time to read a 103 page report cover to cover, I thought I would take a shot at it and give you my .02. You may recognize some of the topics from my previous safety rants, but there is a reason for that. Once again, one third (36) of the firefighters died responding to or returning from the call. Loyal readers know that one of my ‘soap boxes’ is response to calls. ( http://www.volunteerfd.org/archive/safety.php ) If we cannot get to the scene safely then we cannot help anyone.
Interestingly enough, of the 36 firefighters lost, 19 of them were volunteer, 4 career, and 13 wildfire. The 19 volunteer firefighter losses represent a disproportionate number when compared to career departments. The report goes on to say that there were 6 firefighters killed in personally owned vehicle crashes. All 6 were volunteers, and only 1 was found to be wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
One of the stats I would like to have seen in the report would be the percentage of firefighter fatalities in apparatus that were wearing seatbelts. It would also be nice, but probably impossible, to have a firefighter injury report to go along with the fatality report. Anyone who does not believe in the need of seatbelts in fire trucks should watch Pierce’s rollover video. ( http://www.volunteerfd.org/airbag/PIERCE.mpg ) It is a large file and a corporate sales piece, but it will change the way you look at fire engine rollovers. (I especially like the way the officer flies out of his seat and lands on the driver. Thanks Chief! )
This year’s report also included a special section on alcohol in the fire service. USFA’s research found that since 1990 there have been 17 firefighter fatalities where alcohol or drugs were a direct factor in the death of a firefighter. It seems that this was included partially due to the death of 16 year old explorer Anndee Huber, but probably should have been included in years past. One of my earliest columns was on this topic and still stands true. (http://www.volunteerfd.org/archive/alcohol.php )
The report highlight’s IAFC’s zero tolerance policy for alcohol and drugs in the fire service and it is a great model to adopt. The model applies to all ‘professional’ firefighters, volunteer, combination, and paid. I say professional because only a group that wasn’t professional would let their firefighters respond drunk. IAFC’s program lays out a structure that allows departments to still have a social capacity as long as it is clearly separate from firefighting. I have caught quite a bit of heat for my stance on alcohol in the fire service and it is nice to have some support.
As you delve deeper into the report, you will find that the number one cause of firefighter death is from heart attacks. In 2003 there were 50 documented deaths from heart attacks. I say documented because even though they expanded the inclusion criteria to include up to 24 hours after a stressful situation, I wonder if all of those types of deaths were reported. The public service officers benefit recently was expanded to include heart attacks up to 24 hours later so that is why they are included this year.
The report and the PSOB do make a designation that the heart attack had to occur with 24 hours after a stressful activity. This means if you were filing papers you get the time you were actually doing firehouse business but nothing afterwards. The report does also track deaths secondary to diseases caught on duty but does not track long term diseases such as cancer not directly attributed to on the job duties.
Americans as a whole are not heart healthy. I will admit I am in the same boat. I look at it this way: I’m in shape… Round is a shape isn’t it? :) Firefighters have an inherently stressful job and the nature of the job is bad for your heart. Where else do you go from a complete stop, say relaxing on the couch, to 100% such as dragging hose up to the third story for a fire attack? Add to this the fact that firefighters do not tend to be in the best shape and we end up with 50 firefighter deaths in 2003.
Very few volunteer departments have a physical agility test or even physical requirements to join their department. I hate to say it, but this is an area where paid firefighters have an edge on volunteers. Even paid departments have a problem because they often have entry requirements but no ongoing requirements. Many departments have adopted the IAFF’s Candidate Physical Agility Test (CPAT) as an entry exam. The test is tough but is job related and could be used by volunteer departments without any cash outlay.
I understand that departments have problems getting members and the CPAT may not be practical and may be too high of a barrier to entry. How about instituting a physical fitness program as part of your recruitment and retention program? What about doing a bit of physical training before your weekly/monthly training? Enlist one of your members who are in or have been in the service to lead PT. Maybe you have a local MD or RN who can help members with diet plans. How about a competition within your department to stop smoking?
The report is good reading for any Chief, Training or Safety Officer. If you noticed, my analysis of the report did not mention on scene deaths. This is simply due to the fact that if you look at the percentage of deaths related to actual firefighting, they are very few. This means we have done a great job of preventing deaths on the fire ground, now we just have to work on our responses and heart health. Together with the USFA we can achieve their goals and save the lives of our fellow firefighters.
Discuss this column at http://www.volunteerfd.org/phorum/read.php?f=20&i=193&t=193