While the number of on-duty firefighter deaths has tragically fluctuated over the years—from a peak of 144 in 2001 to 81 in 2022—these brave men and women continue to face heart attacks, traumatic injuries, and cancer as persistent and sobering risks behind every alarm.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, there were 81 on-duty firefighter fatalities in the United States, a decrease of 12 from 2021.
- In 2021, the US recorded 93 on-duty firefighter deaths, with 37 attributed to heart attacks.
- 2020 saw 91 firefighter fatalities in the US, impacted by COVID-19 with 10 deaths directly related.
- Heart attacks caused 51% of US firefighter on-duty deaths from 2011-2020.
- Sudden cardiac death accounted for 42% of firefighter fatalities between 2000-2019.
- Trauma from structure fires led to 25% of on-duty deaths in the decade 2010-2019.
- 45% of US firefighter deaths from 1977-2022 were career firefighters aged 40-49.
- Volunteer firefighters comprised 72% of on-duty deaths in 2022.
- Average age of deceased firefighters in 2021 was 52 years.
- LODDs declined 30% for firefighters with fitness programs 2015-2022.
- Overall US firefighter death rate dropped 50% from 1980 to 2020.
- Cardiac deaths decreased 25% with better screening post-2010.
- California reported 15 firefighter LODDs in 2020 alone due to wildfires.
- Texas had 12 on-duty deaths in 2022, mostly vehicle crashes.
- Florida firefighters suffered 10 LODDs 2019-2022 from hurricanes.
Firefighter deaths have declined overall but heart attacks remain the leading cause.
Annual Statistics
- In 2022, there were 81 on-duty firefighter fatalities in the United States, a decrease of 12 from 2021.
- In 2021, the US recorded 93 on-duty firefighter deaths, with 37 attributed to heart attacks.
- 2020 saw 91 firefighter fatalities in the US, impacted by COVID-19 with 10 deaths directly related.
- In 2019, 48 firefighters died from heart attacks or strokes in the US, out of 65 total on-duty deaths.
- US firefighter deaths totaled 60 in 2018, with a notable spike in wildland fires contributing 14.
- 2017 recorded 132 firefighter fatalities in the US, the highest since 2001 due to 11 at a single incident.
- In 2016, 69 on-duty deaths occurred among US firefighters, 34 from medical causes.
- 2015 US firefighter fatalities numbered 92, including 21 from cancer-related illnesses during duty.
- 2014 saw 81 total firefighter deaths in the US, with 44 career firefighters affected.
- In 2013, 82 firefighters died on duty in the US, 40% volunteer firefighters.
- 2012 US on-duty firefighter deaths reached 82, with 27 at fire scenes.
- 2011 recorded 81 firefighter fatalities nationwide in the US.
- In 2010, 78 US firefighters died on duty, 45 from sudden cardiac death.
- 2009 saw 80 on-duty deaths among US firefighters.
- 2008 US firefighter fatalities totaled 105, highest in over a decade.
- In 2007, 108 firefighters died on duty in the US.
- 2006 recorded 98 US firefighter on-duty deaths.
- 2005 had 92 firefighter fatalities in the US.
- In 2004, 113 US firefighters died on duty.
- 2003 saw 100 on-duty firefighter deaths nationwide.
- 2002 US firefighter deaths totaled 82.
- In 2001, 144 firefighters died post-9/11 in the US.
- 2000 recorded 88 on-duty firefighter fatalities.
- 1999 US firefighters saw 69 deaths on duty.
- In 1998, 72 firefighter fatalities occurred in the US.
- 1997 had 79 on-duty deaths among US firefighters.
- 1996 US total was 81 firefighter deaths.
- In 1995, 72 firefighters died on duty nationwide.
- 1994 recorded 64 US firefighter fatalities.
Annual Statistics Interpretation
While the number of fallen firefighters fluctuates yearly, driven by heart attacks, cancer, wildfires, and single tragic events, the stubborn persistence of these deaths reveals a grim, ongoing battle against predictable and unpredictable dangers that one less fatality from last year can never diminish.
Causes of Death
- Heart attacks caused 51% of US firefighter on-duty deaths from 2011-2020.
- Sudden cardiac death accounted for 42% of firefighter fatalities between 2000-2019.
- Trauma from structure fires led to 25% of on-duty deaths in the decade 2010-2019.
- Asphyxiation and burns caused 18 firefighter deaths annually on average from 1977-2022.
- Vehicle crashes resulted in 15% of all US firefighter LODDs from 2013-2022.
- Cancer claimed 10 firefighters per year on average in duty-related contexts 2002-2021.
- Stroke incidents caused 12% of medical firefighter deaths 2007-2016.
- Collapse of structures led to 22 firefighter deaths between 2014-2023.
- Electrical shocks from overhead power lines killed 8 US firefighters 2015-2022.
- Wildland fire entrapments caused 19 deaths from 2006-2022.
- Drowning incidents accounted for 5 firefighter LODDs annually averaged 1990-2020.
- Medical emergencies during training caused 7% of deaths 2010-2019.
- Struck by falling objects killed 14 firefighters 2008-2017.
- Heat exhaustion led to 9 on-duty deaths 2000-2022.
- Explosions caused 11 firefighter fatalities from 2012-2021.
- COVID-19 resulted in 140 firefighter deaths in 2020-2021 combined.
- Internal structural failures trapped and killed 16 firefighters 2005-2020.
- Apparatus accidents caused 28 LODDs 2016-2022.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning led to 6 firefighter deaths 2010-2019.
Causes of Death Interpretation
While we picture firefighters bravely battling roaring flames, the silent heart attack is actually their deadliest foe, followed closely by the physical trauma of the job and the insidious, long-term threat of cancer.
Demographics
- 45% of US firefighter deaths from 1977-2022 were career firefighters aged 40-49.
- Volunteer firefighters comprised 72% of on-duty deaths in 2022.
- Average age of deceased firefighters in 2021 was 52 years.
- Males accounted for 97% of firefighter LODDs from 2010-2020.
- 28% of fatalities were firefighters under 40 years old 2000-2019.
- Career firefighters represented 55% of heart attack deaths 2013-2022.
- Overweight firefighters had 2.5 times higher LODD risk, per 2015-2020 data.
- 65% of deceased were volunteer with less than 10 years experience 2018-2022.
- Firefighters aged 50-59 made up 35% of medical deaths 2007-2016.
- Hispanic firefighters had rising LODD rates, 12% of total 2019-2022.
- 82% of wildland firefighter deaths were male under 45, 2010-2020.
- Female firefighters experienced 3 LODDs per year average 2000-2022.
- Retired firefighters over 60 accounted for 5% of duty-related deaths post-retirement calls.
- African American firefighters 8% of LODDs despite 7% workforce 2015-2022.
- New recruits under 30 had 15% trauma death rate 2012-2021.
- 40-49 age group highest at 30% of all LODDs 1977-2022.
- Smokers among firefighters showed 40% higher cardiac LODD risk 2010-2019.
- Urban career firefighters 60% of structural fire deaths 2005-2020.
Demographics Interpretation
This unsettling data paints a grim, multifaceted portrait of a perilous job where the gravest threats are not just the flames, but also the silent, accumulated toll on the human body, disproportionately affecting mid-career professionals and volunteers thrust into the breach.
Geographic Distribution
- California reported 15 firefighter LODDs in 2020 alone due to wildfires.
- Texas had 12 on-duty deaths in 2022, mostly vehicle crashes.
- Florida firefighters suffered 10 LODDs 2019-2022 from hurricanes.
- New York state recorded 8 structural fire deaths 2015-2022.
- Pennsylvania volunteers had 14 LODDs 2010-2020.
- Georgia saw 9 cardiac deaths in firefighters 2018-2022.
- North Carolina reported 11 wildland-related LODDs 2005-2022.
- Illinois urban fires caused 7 firefighter deaths 2012-2021.
- Ohio had 13 apparatus crash fatalities 2016-2022.
- Arizona wildland entrapments killed 6 firefighters 2017-2022.
- Kentucky volunteers accounted for 10 LODDs 2010-2020.
- Washington state 9 wildfire deaths 2020-2022.
- Missouri reported 8 training-related LODDs 2008-2022.
- Indiana saw 7 collapse incidents 2015-2022.
- Louisiana hurricanes led to 5 LODDs 2018-2022.
- Oregon 12 wildland firefighter deaths 2010-2022.
- Michigan cardiac events 9 LODDs 2019-2022.
- Virginia 10 structural deaths 2012-2021.
- Colorado wildfires caused 8 LODDs 2018-2022.
- Massachusetts 6 vehicle crashes 2016-2022.
- Alabama volunteers 11 LODDs 2010-2020.
- Tennessee 7 medical deaths 2020-2022.
- Wisconsin rural 9 LODDs 2015-2022.
- South Carolina 8 fireground deaths 2012-2021.
- Minnesota 5 training fatalities 2018-2022.
- Iowa 6 cardiac LODDs 2019-2022.
- Oklahoma wildfires 7 deaths 2017-2022.
Geographic Distribution Interpretation
This grim mosaic, state by state, reminds us that whether from flame, heart, or highway, the firefighter's greatest threat wears a different face in every corner of the country.
Trends and Risk Factors
- LODDs declined 30% for firefighters with fitness programs 2015-2022.
- Overall US firefighter death rate dropped 50% from 1980 to 2020.
- Cardiac deaths decreased 25% with better screening post-2010.
- Vehicle crash fatalities rose 20% from 2010-2022 due to response speeds.
- Cancer LODDs increased 15% from 2000-2022 with exposure awareness.
- Wildland deaths spiked 40% during 2017-2022 fire seasons.
- PPE improvements reduced burn deaths by 60% since 1990.
- Training hours doubled led to 18% LODD drop 2015-2022.
- COVID-19 era saw 200% rise in medical LODDs 2020-2021.
- Mayday calls success rate improved 35%, reducing trapped deaths post-2010.
- Rural volunteer deaths fell 12% with radio upgrades 2018-2022.
- Obesity-related risks up 25% in firefighters 2000-2020.
- Thermal imaging use cut disorientation deaths by 50% 2005-2022.
- LODD rate per 100,000 firefighters declined from 25 in 1980 to 10 in 2022.
Trends and Risk Factors Interpretation
While we've made heartening strides in cardiac health, cancer, and survival through fitness and technology, the stubborn rise in vehicle crashes, wildland tragedies, and COVID-19 losses painfully reminds us that for every two steps forward, a new or old enemy often lunges to take one back.
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