Press Release
Release Date: October 6, 2004
FEMA Releases Report on Firefighter Fatalities in 2003
Emmitsburg, MD.- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced today the release of the report on Firefighter Fatalities in the United States in 2003. The report details the circumstances surrounding the 111 firefighter fatalities that occurred in 2003. The report also contains special reports on alcohol use in the fire service, risk management and special focuses on diesel exhaust emissions and fires in which firefighters become disoriented inside of buildings.
"The information contained in this report is an important tool for the prevention of future firefighter fatalities. If we can identify trends, we can prevent future deaths," said Brown. "Many of these deaths are preventable with information, training and continuing our vigilant efforts to maintain safe firefighting practices."
The 111 deaths in 2003 are 111 percent of the 10-year average and 108 percent of the 5-year average. The 111 deaths resulted from a total of 98 incidents. There were 7 multiple firefighter fatality incidents. The median age for firefighters who died while on-duty in 2003 was 46 years and 5 months. Two 16-year-old firefighters died in 2003 and the oldest firefighter to die was 81 years of age.
The 2003 report, previous years' reports and the Firefighter Fatality Retrospective Study 1990-2000 can be found at www.usfa.fema.gov/inside-usfa/nfdc/pubs/ff_fat.shtm. Information on the annual memorial service for fallen firefighters can be found at www.firehero.org.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Updated: October 08, 2004 09:57 AM
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