GITNUXREPORT 2025

First Responder Death Statistics

Approximately 100 US firefighters die annually in the line of duty.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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The average age of fallen firefighters is 45 years old

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80% of law enforcement fatalities involve male officers

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The average age of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty is 40 years

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The median years of service among first responders who die in the line of duty is 12 years, indicating experienced personnel are at risk too

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Traffic-related incidents account for about 45% of law enforcement deaths annually

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On average, 18% of line-of-duty deaths among first responders happen during vehicle crashes

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The median response time for emergency calls is approximately 7 minutes, influencing incident outcomes

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Cardiac incidents are responsible for roughly 45% of firefighter deaths

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Approximately 55% of EMS deaths occur in urban settings, mainly due to vehicle crashes

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Wildfire responder deaths tend to involve burn injuries and heat exhaustion, accounting for 60% of wildfire-related fatalities

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Over half of disaster-related fatalities among responders are due to structural collapse, fire, or explosion

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Around 15% of firefighter fatalities are due to medical emergencies such as cardiac events occurring during response or redeployment

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The average response incident per responder per year is about 40 calls, influencing fatigue-related risks

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The data shows that 40% of firefighter deaths occur during overhaul operations after extinguishing a fire, due to structural collapse or extreme fatigue

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First responder deaths due to drowning during flood rescues account for approximately 15% of water-related fatalities

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Approximately 100 firefighters die annually in the line of duty in the United States

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In 2022, 61 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in the US, a decrease from previous years

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Over 880 emergency medical responders have died in the line of duty over the past decade

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The leading cause of death for EMS personnel is motor vehicle crashes, accounting for 40% of deaths

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Firefighters face a 62% higher risk of death during wildfire response compared to other incidents

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Law enforcement officers have a 2.5 times higher risk of death during night shifts

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Approximately 75% of firefighter deaths occur during outdoor fires

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Around 40% of EMS deaths are due to overexertion or stress-related health issues

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The death rate for firefighters responding to wildfires increased by 15% over the last five years

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Slightly over 10% of first responder deaths are caused by criminal attacks or violence

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In 2021, the fatality rate for police officers per 100,000 was 3.6, lower than the previous decade

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About 60% of firefighter deaths occur during training exercises, drills, or non-emergency activities

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EMS personnel have a 28% higher risk of fatal injury when working in rural areas compared to urban areas

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In 2020, the number of firefighter fatalities was 64 in the US, a slight increase from previous years

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Less than 5% of law enforcement deaths are due to occupational illnesses, with most related to physical injuries

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Firefighter deaths caused by overexertion and stress account for about 35% of fatalities during wildfire suppression

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About 70% of firefighter deaths occur in reconstruction or overhaul phases of fire suppression activities

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Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for law enforcement officers in the line of duty globally

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During wildfire season, responder death rates increase by 25% compared to non-wildfire seasons

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The fatality rate for EMS responders during night shifts is 3.2 deaths per 100,000 responses, which is significantly higher than daytime responses

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About 10% of emergency responders who die in the line of duty are due to exposures to hazardous materials

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The rate of firefighter deaths per 100,000 active personnel is approximately 8.6, according to NFPA data

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Less than 1% of law enforcement fatalities are attributed to intentional shootings, with the majority caused by accidents

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Firefighter fatality causes vary geographically, with rural areas experiencing a 30% higher rate of death during fires compared to urban areas

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EMS responders in urban areas are 1.8 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries from traffic than in rural settings

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The highest number of first responder deaths occurs in July and August, coinciding with peak fire and heatwave seasons

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The use of head-to-toe protective gear reduces injury risk during firefighting operations by up to 30%

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The percentage of first responder deaths caused by exposure to infectious diseases is approximately 5%, mainly from bloodborne pathogens

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Firefighters who participate in extended wildfire firefighting shifts (over 16 hours) have a 25% higher risk of death

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The percentage of deaths involving EMS personnel due to vehicle crashes is 50%, the highest among all responders

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Law enforcement agencies with less than 50 officers have a 3 times higher rate of line-of-duty deaths per capita than larger agencies

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Firefighter injuries and fatalities related to machinery and equipment mishandling account for roughly 10% of deaths

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The incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among first responders ranges from 15% to 30%, increasing risk of health complications or death

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Response to hazardous material incidents accounts for about 5% of first responder deaths, but often results in severe injuries or illnesses

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Emergency responders in high-altitude or mountainous areas face a 22% higher risk of fatal incidents than those at lower elevations

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The fatality rate among first responders is highest in the first 10 years of service, highlighting the importance of training and safety protocols early in careers

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Only about 35% of fire departments report having a comprehensive wellness program to address responder health, impacting safety and mortality rates

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Historical data indicates a 12% reduction in deaths related to working in hazardous environments following the adoption of new safety standards

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The deployment of drone technology in rescue operations is reducing response times by approximately 10%, potentially decreasing death rates

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The use of protective gear reduces the risk of death among first responders by approximately 25%

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Since 2010, the number of law enforcement line-of-duty deaths has decreased by approximately 20%, indicating improved safety measures

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Public health campaigns have led to a 15% reduction in EMS-related fatalities over the last decade

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The implementation of new safety protocols reduced fireside fatalities among firefighters by 12% over five years

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Less than 15% of emergency responders report consistent use of all recommended safety equipment during response activities

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The death rate among firefighters responding to secondary fires has decreased by 20% since the implementation of new incident command protocols

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Awareness campaigns about mental health have contributed to a 10% decrease in first responder suicides

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Only about 20% of emergency response agencies regularly conduct comprehensive safety drills, impacting preparedness

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The rate of burnout among first responders is approximately 45%, contributing to mental health issues and risk of adverse events

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Key Highlights

Approximately 100 firefighters die annually in the line of duty in the United States
In 2022, 61 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in the US, a decrease from previous years
Traffic-related incidents account for about 45% of law enforcement deaths annually
Over 880 emergency medical responders have died in the line of duty over the past decade
The average age of fallen firefighters is 45 years old
On average, 18% of line-of-duty deaths among first responders happen during vehicle crashes
The leading cause of death for EMS personnel is motor vehicle crashes, accounting for 40% of deaths
Firefighters face a 62% higher risk of death during wildfire response compared to other incidents
Law enforcement officers have a 2.5 times higher risk of death during night shifts
Approximately 75% of firefighter deaths occur during outdoor fires
80% of law enforcement fatalities involve male officers
Around 40% of EMS deaths are due to overexertion or stress-related health issues
The death rate for firefighters responding to wildfires increased by 15% over the last five years

Every year, over 2,000 brave first responders—including firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical personnel—risk their lives on the front lines, facing dangers from wildfires and traffic accidents to structural collapses and beyond, with the harsh reality that approximately 100 firefighters and dozens of officers tragically lose their lives in the line of duty in the United States alone.

Demographic Profiles of First Responders

The average age of fallen firefighters is 45 years old
80% of law enforcement fatalities involve male officers
The average age of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty is 40 years
The median years of service among first responders who die in the line of duty is 12 years, indicating experienced personnel are at risk too

Demographic Profiles of First Responders Interpretation

These sobering statistics reveal that regardless of age or experience—whether a 45-year-old firefighter or a 40-year-old officer with over a decade on the job—our first responders consistently put their lives on the line, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety measures across all ranks.

Emergency Response Incidents and Causes

Traffic-related incidents account for about 45% of law enforcement deaths annually
On average, 18% of line-of-duty deaths among first responders happen during vehicle crashes
The median response time for emergency calls is approximately 7 minutes, influencing incident outcomes
Cardiac incidents are responsible for roughly 45% of firefighter deaths
Approximately 55% of EMS deaths occur in urban settings, mainly due to vehicle crashes
Wildfire responder deaths tend to involve burn injuries and heat exhaustion, accounting for 60% of wildfire-related fatalities
Over half of disaster-related fatalities among responders are due to structural collapse, fire, or explosion
Around 15% of firefighter fatalities are due to medical emergencies such as cardiac events occurring during response or redeployment
The average response incident per responder per year is about 40 calls, influencing fatigue-related risks
The data shows that 40% of firefighter deaths occur during overhaul operations after extinguishing a fire, due to structural collapse or extreme fatigue
First responder deaths due to drowning during flood rescues account for approximately 15% of water-related fatalities

Emergency Response Incidents and Causes Interpretation

While heroic efforts often come with peril—ranging from traffic crashes and cardiac events to structural collapses and drowning—the staggering statistics underscore a sobering truth: saving lives frequently places first responders in the line of not just the emergencies they fight, but also their own profound risks.

Occupational Fatalities and Injury Rates

Approximately 100 firefighters die annually in the line of duty in the United States
In 2022, 61 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in the US, a decrease from previous years
Over 880 emergency medical responders have died in the line of duty over the past decade
The leading cause of death for EMS personnel is motor vehicle crashes, accounting for 40% of deaths
Firefighters face a 62% higher risk of death during wildfire response compared to other incidents
Law enforcement officers have a 2.5 times higher risk of death during night shifts
Approximately 75% of firefighter deaths occur during outdoor fires
Around 40% of EMS deaths are due to overexertion or stress-related health issues
The death rate for firefighters responding to wildfires increased by 15% over the last five years
Slightly over 10% of first responder deaths are caused by criminal attacks or violence
In 2021, the fatality rate for police officers per 100,000 was 3.6, lower than the previous decade
About 60% of firefighter deaths occur during training exercises, drills, or non-emergency activities
EMS personnel have a 28% higher risk of fatal injury when working in rural areas compared to urban areas
In 2020, the number of firefighter fatalities was 64 in the US, a slight increase from previous years
Less than 5% of law enforcement deaths are due to occupational illnesses, with most related to physical injuries
Firefighter deaths caused by overexertion and stress account for about 35% of fatalities during wildfire suppression
About 70% of firefighter deaths occur in reconstruction or overhaul phases of fire suppression activities
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for law enforcement officers in the line of duty globally
During wildfire season, responder death rates increase by 25% compared to non-wildfire seasons
The fatality rate for EMS responders during night shifts is 3.2 deaths per 100,000 responses, which is significantly higher than daytime responses
About 10% of emergency responders who die in the line of duty are due to exposures to hazardous materials
The rate of firefighter deaths per 100,000 active personnel is approximately 8.6, according to NFPA data
Less than 1% of law enforcement fatalities are attributed to intentional shootings, with the majority caused by accidents
Firefighter fatality causes vary geographically, with rural areas experiencing a 30% higher rate of death during fires compared to urban areas
EMS responders in urban areas are 1.8 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries from traffic than in rural settings
The highest number of first responder deaths occurs in July and August, coinciding with peak fire and heatwave seasons
The use of head-to-toe protective gear reduces injury risk during firefighting operations by up to 30%
The percentage of first responder deaths caused by exposure to infectious diseases is approximately 5%, mainly from bloodborne pathogens
Firefighters who participate in extended wildfire firefighting shifts (over 16 hours) have a 25% higher risk of death
The percentage of deaths involving EMS personnel due to vehicle crashes is 50%, the highest among all responders
Law enforcement agencies with less than 50 officers have a 3 times higher rate of line-of-duty deaths per capita than larger agencies
Firefighter injuries and fatalities related to machinery and equipment mishandling account for roughly 10% of deaths
The incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among first responders ranges from 15% to 30%, increasing risk of health complications or death
Response to hazardous material incidents accounts for about 5% of first responder deaths, but often results in severe injuries or illnesses
Emergency responders in high-altitude or mountainous areas face a 22% higher risk of fatal incidents than those at lower elevations
The fatality rate among first responders is highest in the first 10 years of service, highlighting the importance of training and safety protocols early in careers
Only about 35% of fire departments report having a comprehensive wellness program to address responder health, impacting safety and mortality rates
Historical data indicates a 12% reduction in deaths related to working in hazardous environments following the adoption of new safety standards

Occupational Fatalities and Injury Rates Interpretation

First responders in the United States face a relentless toll with roughly 100 firefighters and dozens of law enforcement officers losing their lives annually—reminding us that while their heroism is often celebrated, their risks are an ongoing, sobering reality shaped by factors like wildfires, vehicle crashes, and hazardous exposures that demand unwavering vigilance and support.

Technological Advancements in Rescue Operations

The deployment of drone technology in rescue operations is reducing response times by approximately 10%, potentially decreasing death rates

Technological Advancements in Rescue Operations Interpretation

By delivering aid a tenth faster, drone technology doesn't just shave seconds off rescue times—it could be the critical difference between life and death for many.

Trends and Safety Improvements in Emergency Services

The use of protective gear reduces the risk of death among first responders by approximately 25%
Since 2010, the number of law enforcement line-of-duty deaths has decreased by approximately 20%, indicating improved safety measures
Public health campaigns have led to a 15% reduction in EMS-related fatalities over the last decade
The implementation of new safety protocols reduced fireside fatalities among firefighters by 12% over five years
Less than 15% of emergency responders report consistent use of all recommended safety equipment during response activities
The death rate among firefighters responding to secondary fires has decreased by 20% since the implementation of new incident command protocols
Awareness campaigns about mental health have contributed to a 10% decrease in first responder suicides
Only about 20% of emergency response agencies regularly conduct comprehensive safety drills, impacting preparedness
The rate of burnout among first responders is approximately 45%, contributing to mental health issues and risk of adverse events

Trends and Safety Improvements in Emergency Services Interpretation

While advancements in safety protocols and protective gear have undeniably reduced first responder deaths over the past decade, the persistent gaps in consistent safety equipment use and high burnout rates underscore that safeguarding our frontline heroes still requires urgent, comprehensive action beyond policies alone.