Annual report on firefighter fatalities in the United States
2012 annual report: overview of findings
Eighty-one firefighters died while on duty in 2012.
- The total break down included 42 volunteer, 28 career, and 11 wildland agency firefighters.
- There were four multiple firefighter fatality incidents claiming a total of 10 firefighters.
- Fifteen firefighters died in duties associated with wildland fires.
- Activities related to emergency incidents resulted in the deaths of 45 firefighters.
- Twenty-two firefighters died while engaging in activities at the scene of a fire.
- Seventeen firefighters died while responding to or returning from 16 emergency incidents.
- Eighteen firefighters died as the result of 14 vehicle crashes, six involving POVs, six involving apparatus, and six from two separate incidents involving aircraft.
- Heart attacks were the most frequent cause of death with 39 firefighter deaths.
- Eight firefighters died while they were engaged in training activities.
- Twelve firefighters died after the conclusion of their on-duty activity.
The 2012 report on Firefighter Fatalities in the United States may be downloaded HERE.
