2009 Saw Lowest On-Duty Firefighter Fatalities Since 1993

According to a report by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) there were 82 on-duty firefighter fatalities in 2009, the lowest total since 1993. Of the 82 fatalities, 41 were volunteer firefighters and 31 were career firefighters.

NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg was quoted saying, “I am pleased that the number of firefighter fatalities in the United States went down in 2009. I hope and pray that it will continue to decrease because even one line-of-duty firefighter death is too many.”

The leading cause of death among on-duty firefighters continues to be sudden cardiac arrest, accounting for approximately 40% of the fatalities.