According to data from NFPA.org, the National Fire Protection Association released its annual report on U.S. firefighter fatalities for 2017. The report revealed that 60 firefighters lost their lives while on duty that year—marking the lowest number since 1977, when the organization began tracking such incidents. This was also the sixth consecutive year with fewer than 70 deaths, showing a continued decline in on-duty fatalities.
Of the 60 total deaths, 32 were volunteer firefighters, 21 were career firefighters, and the remaining 7 included federal employees, contractors, and even prison inmates. Both volunteer and career firefighters saw their second-lowest fatality numbers in 2017, highlighting a positive trend in firefighter safety over the years.
Interestingly, 17 of the deaths occurred directly at fire scenes, which is the second-lowest figure recorded since the report began. This marks the second year in a row that the number has remained below 20, signaling improved safety measures during active firefighting operations.
Typically, the second-highest number of on-duty deaths occurs during response or return trips to emergencies. However, in 2017, the second-largest group of fatalities—11 in total—happened at non-fire emergencies. These included motor vehicle accidents, downed power lines, fallen trees, and other incidents. Ten of these 11 were struck by vehicles, while one died suddenly from a cardiac event.
Notably, 10 firefighters were killed by vehicle collisions in 2017—a significant increase compared to the average of four such deaths per year over the past 30 years. This highlights a growing concern around traffic-related incidents involving emergency responders.
Medical issues, including overexertion and sudden cardiac events, accounted for more than half of all deaths in 2017. Out of 32 deaths in this category, 29 were due to heart attacks, two were from strokes, and one resulted from complications following a medical procedure. Although the number of sudden cardiac deaths dropped below 30 for the fourth time in six years, it still made up nearly half of all on-duty fatalities.
Despite the progress, a complete and comprehensive study of all duty-related deaths remains challenging due to the complexity of tracking every incident across the country. Still, the 2017 data shows a hopeful trend in reducing firefighter fatalities and emphasizes the importance of ongoing safety initiatives and medical support for those in the field.
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