US firefighter fatality figures fall to second-lowest level
NFPA has reported that 62 firefighters died while on duty or shortly after duty in the United States in 2024.
The total marks a 31 percent reduction from the 90 fatalities recorded in 2023 and is tied for the fourth lowest figure since the annual study began in 1977.
According to the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) “Fatal Firefighter Injuries in the US in 2024” report, 51 deaths occurred while firefighters were on duty, and 11 occurred within 24 hours of duty.
NFPA stated that since 2022, fatalities occurring within 24 hours of duty are included if they align with criteria established under the Hometown Heroes Act of 2003.
The organisation noted that while the number of fatalities fluctuates annually, the 2024 figure represents a continuation of the long-term downward trend in on-duty firefighter deaths.
Heart attacks remained the leading cause of death
NFPA found that overexertion or strain accounted for 65 percent of all firefighter fatalities in 2024, with heart attacks making up nearly half of the total.
According to the report, 40 of the 62 fatalities were attributed to overexertion or strain, with 30 of these caused by heart attacks.
Twenty of the heart attacks occurred while firefighters were on duty and 10 occurred within 24 hours of duty.
Richard Campbell, senior research analyst at NFPA and lead author of the report, said: “Although the downward trend in the annual number of fatal firefighter injuries is an encouraging indication that injury prevention efforts through the years have been successful, there is a clear need for continuing attention to firefighter safety and health.
“Sudden cardiac deaths remain a critical concern.”
The organisation said that heart attacks were especially common among firefighters engaged in administrative, training, and fireground duties.
It added that volunteer firefighters made up the majority of those who died of cardiac arrest within 24 hours of duty.
Fireground activities posed the highest risk
NFPA reported that one-third of the deaths occurred during fireground operations.
The report identified 20 deaths during firefighting operations, a decrease from 32 fireground fatalities in 2023.
These included firefighters killed by explosions, structural collapses, vehicle accidents, and medical emergencies while at fire scenes.
The study recorded other fatal incidents during non-fire emergency calls, training, and station activities.
Jay Petrillo, research analyst at NFPA and co-author of the report, said: “Advances in firefighting practices and procedures, communications and equipment, training programs, and education have all helped to improve safety and health outcomes for the firefighting community through the years.
“Still, the unique variety of hazards encountered by firefighters across their multiple types of duties poses an ongoing challenge for comprehensive injury prevention.”
Petrillo added that preventing injuries would require coordinated efforts from both fire service organisations and external agencies.
Older age groups were disproportionately affected
NFPA reported that firefighters aged 40 to 49 accounted for the highest number of deaths in 2024.
The report recorded 20 fatalities in that age group.
Thirteen firefighters who died were aged 50 to 59 and 11 were 70 or older.
The data showed that volunteer firefighters aged over 70 were especially vulnerable, particularly when returning home after duty.
Among the 11 deaths that occurred within 24 hours of duty, eight involved volunteer firefighters with an average age of 69.
Three involved career firefighters with an average age of 48.
The study highlighted a disparity in immediate medical support between volunteer and career firefighters, noting that career firefighters often have quicker access to emergency care at their station.
Breakdown by role, type of incident, and injury
NFPA categorised the deaths by role, incident type, and injury cause.
Of the 51 on-duty deaths, 26 were career firefighters, 19 were volunteers, and six were non-municipal firefighters, including state and federal forestry staff, contract employees, and industrial firefighters.
Trauma accounted for 29 percent of all deaths, while heat stroke, drowning, gunshot wounds, electrocution, aneurysms, and burns made up the remaining cases.
The report noted that one firefighter was fatally shot during a domestic violence response and another died while inspecting a fire scene.
Only one multiple-fatality incident was recorded in 2024.
This occurred when a tree struck a vehicle during a hurricane response, killing two firefighters.
The 2024 total marks only the third time since 2000 that the annual report recorded one or no multiple-fatality incidents.
US fatal firefighter injuries declined by 31 percent in 2024: Summary
NFPA reported that 62 US firefighters died on or shortly after duty in 2024.
This represents a 31 percent decrease from the 90 fatalities reported in 2023.
Of the 62 fatalities, 51 occurred while firefighters were on duty.
The remaining 11 occurred within 24 hours of duty.
Heart attacks were the leading cause of death, accounting for 30 of the 62 fatalities.
Fireground duties accounted for 20 deaths.
Volunteers made up most of the fatalities within 24 hours of duty.
Most of those deaths involved firefighters aged 70 or older.
Trauma was the second leading cause of death after cardiac events.
Only one multiple-fatality incident occurred in 2024.
Non-municipal firefighters accounted for six of the fatalities.
The full report was authored by Richard Campbell and Jay Petrillo.