NFPA Releases Firefighter Injury Report For 2007

NFPA Releases Firefighter Injury Report For 2007

The National Fire Protection Association released their report on injuries to firefighters in 2007.

Among the highlights:

• 80,100 firefighter injuries occurred in the line of duty in 2007, a decrease of 4 percent from the year before.
• 38,340 or 47.9 percent of all firefighter injuries occurred during fireground operations. An estimated 15,435 occurred at nonfire emergencies, while 13,665 occurred during other on-duty activities
• Regionally, the Northeast had the highest fireground injury rate, with 4.9 injuries occurring per 100 fires. This was more than twice the rate for the rest of the country.
• The major types of injuries received during fireground operations were strains, sprains, and muscular pains, responsible for 45.1 percent; wounds, cuts, bleeding, and bruises for 18.2 percent; burns for 6.9 percent; and smoke or gas inhalation for 5.6 percent. Strains, sprains, and muscular pain accounted for 57.8 percent of all non-fireground injuries. Firefighters work in varied and complex environments that increase their risk of on-the-job death and injury. A better understanding of how these fatalities, nonfatal injuries, and illnesses occur can help identify corrective actions that could help minimize the inherent risks.

Here are some examples of the injuries firefighters suffered in 2007. (PDF File)