GITNUXREPORT 2025

First Responder Statistics

First responders face severe mental and physical health risks, highlighting urgent support needs.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average age of first responders in the US is around 40 years old

Statistic 2

The unemployment rate among retired first responders is significantly lower than the general population, at under 2%, due to their skills and experience

Statistic 3

The median age of first responder fatalities due to workplace violence is 42 years old

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Approximately 60% of first responders experience psychological trauma during their careers

Statistic 5

First responders are 3 times more likely to experience PTSD than the general population

Statistic 6

Nearly 70% of fire and EMS personnel report symptoms of burnout

Statistic 7

About 45% of police officers suffer from depression

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Approximately 15% of first responders face substance abuse issues

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Around 35% of paramedics report high levels of stress impacting their mental health

Statistic 10

PTSD prevalence among law enforcement officers ranges from 7% to 19%

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80% of first responders report exposure to traumatic events during their career

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Among police officers, 40% report having suicidal thoughts at least once

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Only around 50% of first responders seek mental health support when needed

Statistic 14

Suicide rates among first responders are 1.5 times higher than in the general population

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About 10% of firefighters develop post-traumatic growth after traumatic incidents

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Approximately 55% of law enforcement officers report symptoms of anxiety

Statistic 17

Nearly 80% of fire departments lack sufficient mental health resources for their personnel

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22% of police officers report experiencing depression severe enough to impact their job performance

Statistic 19

Exposure to multiple traumatic incidents increases the risk of PTSD among first responders, with about 25% developing symptoms

Statistic 20

Nearly 40% of emergency response personnel report feeling emotional exhaustion regularly

Statistic 21

More than 15% of police officers retire early due to mental health issues

Statistic 22

45% of paramedics report experiencing compassion fatigue, leading to decreased quality of care

Statistic 23

Nearly 20% of paramedics report having suicidal thoughts within their career

Statistic 24

Approximately 80% of fire departments lack adequate mental health training programs for staff

Statistic 25

About 25% of police officers experience symptoms of secondary traumatic stress, impacting their personal relationships

Statistic 26

Over 90% of law enforcement agencies have personnel who have experienced critical incident stress, but less than half have formal support programs

Statistic 27

First responders' mental health issues cost the US economy approximately $1 billion annually in healthcare and lost productivity

Statistic 28

Studies show that peer support programs can reduce incidents of PTSD by up to 30% among first responders

Statistic 29

About 40% of emergency responders experience depersonalization or emotional numbing related to trauma exposure

Statistic 30

Nearly 25% of first responders experience symptoms of burnout within their first 5 years of service

Statistic 31

Only about 35% of first responders have access to comprehensive mental health services, despite high needs

Statistic 32

Nearly 10% of law enforcement officers are diagnosed with a substance use disorder, often linked to coping with stress

Statistic 33

Emergency service workers with access to mental health programs show a 40% improvement in well-being scores

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More than 50% of first responders report feeling stigmatized when seeking mental health support, hindering access to care

Statistic 35

Emergency responders have a 20% higher risk of heart attack compared to the general population

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Firefighters have a 9% risk of developing cancer due to exposure to carcinogens

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First responders are 1.5 times more likely to suffer from chronic physical health issues

Statistic 38

Approximately 25% of law enforcement officers report frequent alcohol use

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65% of first responders report sleep disturbances due to shift work and exposure to trauma

Statistic 40

First responders face a 2.5 times higher risk of developing hypertension

Statistic 41

First responders often experience compromised immune function due to chronic stress, increasing susceptibility to illness

Statistic 42

Firefighters work an average of 56 hours per week, often during overnight shifts

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30% of first responders have experienced physical injuries on duty, impacting their ability to work

Statistic 44

First responders report a 15% prevalence of sleep disorders, often linked to stress and shift work

Statistic 45

Firefighters are twice as likely to develop certain types of cancer, including brain and gastrointestinal cancers, due to occupational exposure

Statistic 46

Exposure to chronic stress across multiple incidents can lead to physical health decline, including hypertension and cardiovascular disease, in over 30% of first responders

Statistic 47

On average, first responders work 50 hours per week, often exceeding the 40-hour standard

Statistic 48

Firefighters respond to an average of 2,600 fires per day in the US

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EMS personnel respond to over 60 million emergencies annually in the US

Statistic 50

Medical errors in emergency settings occur in approximately 7-10% of cases, often exacerbated by stress and fatigue

Statistic 51

50% of emergency medical responders report witnessing death or severe trauma weekly

Statistic 52

First responders have a 30% higher risk of motor vehicle accidents compared to civilians

Statistic 53

The median salary of police officers in the US is approximately $67,000 annually

Statistic 54

First responders have a 50% higher risk of developing substance use disorders than the general population

Statistic 55

On average, emergency responders encounter traumatic events 4-6 times per month, depending on their role

Statistic 56

Emergency responders who work night shifts are twice as likely to experience safety incidents at work

Statistic 57

Approximately 30% of first responders experience sleep deprivation, affecting decision-making and reaction times

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Key Highlights

Approximately 60% of first responders experience psychological trauma during their careers
First responders are 3 times more likely to experience PTSD than the general population
Nearly 70% of fire and EMS personnel report symptoms of burnout
About 45% of police officers suffer from depression
Emergency responders have a 20% higher risk of heart attack compared to the general population
On average, first responders work 50 hours per week, often exceeding the 40-hour standard
Approximately 15% of first responders face substance abuse issues
Firefighters have a 9% risk of developing cancer due to exposure to carcinogens
Around 35% of paramedics report high levels of stress impacting their mental health
PTSD prevalence among law enforcement officers ranges from 7% to 19%
First responders are 1.5 times more likely to suffer from chronic physical health issues
80% of first responders report exposure to traumatic events during their career
Among police officers, 40% report having suicidal thoughts at least once

Behind every life saved or disaster managed, first responders silently battle a mental health crisis, with startling statistics revealing that nearly 60% experience trauma, burnout, or depression, highlighting an urgent need for comprehensive support and recognition.

Demographics and retirement patterns

The average age of first responders in the US is around 40 years old
The unemployment rate among retired first responders is significantly lower than the general population, at under 2%, due to their skills and experience
The median age of first responder fatalities due to workplace violence is 42 years old

Demographics and retirement patterns Interpretation

First responders, often in their prime around 40, boast stellar post-career job security under 2% unemployment—yet tragically, their median fatality age due to violence remains painfully close, at 42, reminding us that their dedication often comes at a profound personal risk.

Mental health and psychological wellbeing

Approximately 60% of first responders experience psychological trauma during their careers
First responders are 3 times more likely to experience PTSD than the general population
Nearly 70% of fire and EMS personnel report symptoms of burnout
About 45% of police officers suffer from depression
Approximately 15% of first responders face substance abuse issues
Around 35% of paramedics report high levels of stress impacting their mental health
PTSD prevalence among law enforcement officers ranges from 7% to 19%
80% of first responders report exposure to traumatic events during their career
Among police officers, 40% report having suicidal thoughts at least once
Only around 50% of first responders seek mental health support when needed
Suicide rates among first responders are 1.5 times higher than in the general population
About 10% of firefighters develop post-traumatic growth after traumatic incidents
Approximately 55% of law enforcement officers report symptoms of anxiety
Nearly 80% of fire departments lack sufficient mental health resources for their personnel
22% of police officers report experiencing depression severe enough to impact their job performance
Exposure to multiple traumatic incidents increases the risk of PTSD among first responders, with about 25% developing symptoms
Nearly 40% of emergency response personnel report feeling emotional exhaustion regularly
More than 15% of police officers retire early due to mental health issues
45% of paramedics report experiencing compassion fatigue, leading to decreased quality of care
Nearly 20% of paramedics report having suicidal thoughts within their career
Approximately 80% of fire departments lack adequate mental health training programs for staff
About 25% of police officers experience symptoms of secondary traumatic stress, impacting their personal relationships
Over 90% of law enforcement agencies have personnel who have experienced critical incident stress, but less than half have formal support programs
First responders' mental health issues cost the US economy approximately $1 billion annually in healthcare and lost productivity
Studies show that peer support programs can reduce incidents of PTSD by up to 30% among first responders
About 40% of emergency responders experience depersonalization or emotional numbing related to trauma exposure
Nearly 25% of first responders experience symptoms of burnout within their first 5 years of service
Only about 35% of first responders have access to comprehensive mental health services, despite high needs
Nearly 10% of law enforcement officers are diagnosed with a substance use disorder, often linked to coping with stress
Emergency service workers with access to mental health programs show a 40% improvement in well-being scores
More than 50% of first responders report feeling stigmatized when seeking mental health support, hindering access to care

Mental health and psychological wellbeing Interpretation

With nearly 80% of first responders exposed to trauma yet only half seeking help, the harsh reality is that courage on the front lines often doesn't extend to mental health, leaving many fighting invisible wounds that cost both lives and livelihoods.

Physical health risks and health conditions

Emergency responders have a 20% higher risk of heart attack compared to the general population
Firefighters have a 9% risk of developing cancer due to exposure to carcinogens
First responders are 1.5 times more likely to suffer from chronic physical health issues
Approximately 25% of law enforcement officers report frequent alcohol use
65% of first responders report sleep disturbances due to shift work and exposure to trauma
First responders face a 2.5 times higher risk of developing hypertension
First responders often experience compromised immune function due to chronic stress, increasing susceptibility to illness
Firefighters work an average of 56 hours per week, often during overnight shifts
30% of first responders have experienced physical injuries on duty, impacting their ability to work
First responders report a 15% prevalence of sleep disorders, often linked to stress and shift work
Firefighters are twice as likely to develop certain types of cancer, including brain and gastrointestinal cancers, due to occupational exposure
Exposure to chronic stress across multiple incidents can lead to physical health decline, including hypertension and cardiovascular disease, in over 30% of first responders

Physical health risks and health conditions Interpretation

First responders risk more than just danger on the job; their relentless exposure to trauma, hazardous environments, and stress effectively makes their own health the next emergency to address.

Work environment and occupational hazards

On average, first responders work 50 hours per week, often exceeding the 40-hour standard
Firefighters respond to an average of 2,600 fires per day in the US
EMS personnel respond to over 60 million emergencies annually in the US
Medical errors in emergency settings occur in approximately 7-10% of cases, often exacerbated by stress and fatigue
50% of emergency medical responders report witnessing death or severe trauma weekly
First responders have a 30% higher risk of motor vehicle accidents compared to civilians
The median salary of police officers in the US is approximately $67,000 annually
First responders have a 50% higher risk of developing substance use disorders than the general population
On average, emergency responders encounter traumatic events 4-6 times per month, depending on their role
Emergency responders who work night shifts are twice as likely to experience safety incidents at work
Approximately 30% of first responders experience sleep deprivation, affecting decision-making and reaction times

Work environment and occupational hazards Interpretation

While first responders are the unwavering frontline of safety risking their own health and well-being, their relentless 50-hour workweeks, exposure to trauma, and high-stakes environment underscore a critical need for systemic support to ensure their resilience and safety, not just during emergencies but also in their everyday lives.

Sources & References

Reference 26
PSYCHOLOGICALSCIENCE
Research Publication(2024)
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