USFA: Fewest on-duty deaths of firefighters since 1977

Thursday, January 6, 2011

USFA: Fewest on-duty deaths of firefighters since 1977

There were 85 on-duty deaths in 2010, according to preliminary statistics. Of those, 15 are classified as Hometown Heroes.

Last year was record-setting -- the fewest on-duty deaths of firefighters since the USFA started compiling statistics in 1977.

In 2003, federal legislation was adopted that firefighters who died of heart attacks or strokes within 24 hours of a response or training receive that designation.

This is the second year in a row that on-duty deaths showed a decline. In 2009, the country experienced the lowest number in 15 years
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Of those who died in 2010, 55 were volunteers, 28 were career, one was a paid full-time wildland and one was a paid-on call.

Heart attacks continue to claim the most firefighters -- 56.4 percent -- while trauma was reported in 23.5 percent of the deaths. Other causes included stroke, burns, heat exhaustion, asphyxiation and crushing.
Two firefighters who died in 2010 had sustained the injury in previous years, records showed. Those two deaths will be added to those years' totals to bring this year's down from 87 to 85.

Twenty-five of those who died were 61 or older, while two were under 21.

The number of on-duty deaths may change in the coming months as officials check with people in each state to ensure that everyone has been counted.

March and July were the deadliest months -- 11 firefighter fatalities each, while there were four in February and August.

On May 22, four firefighter deaths were recorded by the USFA.

Other statistics showed 20 occurred on the scene; 19 other on-duty activity; 16 responding; 16 after; 7 training; 4 on-scene non-fire and one returning.

USFA PDF Attachment:

USFA2010fatalitysummary.pdf

Article source: http://www.firehouse.com/ article Link

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How fires get their names

Every year in California thousands of wildfires start throughout the state. In most cases, the dispatch center sending the initial resources to a wildland fire will designate a name for the fire, but the first on scene engine or fire official can also name the incident. Fires are usually named for the area in which they start – a geographical location, local landmark, street, lake, mountain, peak, etc. Quickly naming the fire provides responding fire resources with an additional locater, and allows fire officials to track and prioritize incidents by name. For example during the Southern California Fire Siege of 2003, the largest wildland fire in California history, the Cedar Fire in San Diego County, was named after the Cedar Creek Falls area where it started. The destructive Old Fire, which burned during the same time period in San Bernardino County, was named after the road along which it started - Old Waterman Canyon Road.

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Thursday, January 6, 2011