COVID-19 and a multi-fatality collapse
By Bill Carey
A total of 14 firefighters suffered on-duty deaths in the first month of 2021 as reported by the United States Fire Administration (USFA). The majority of these deaths are due to the COVID-19 virus.
The following information is a breakdown of the details of those members in the fire service who died while operating “on-duty” as defined by the United States Fire Administration. For more information on this definition and that of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s definition of “line of duty death” read “On Duty & Line of Duty: What Is the Difference?”[1]
The information presented is not meant to distract from the emotional toll felt by the families and coworkers. It is instead meant to remind us to look greater at the record of fatalities and in comparison, to previous years as well as be a measure of substance when used in discussions.
In January 11 firefighters died due to COVID-19, two died in a collapse during a structure fire, and one suffered a medical emergency while working on apparatus. A more detailed look at COVID-19 fatality data will be presented later.
The majority of victims were career firefighters at the rank of firefighter.
The youngest victim was 28. The oldest was 67. The average age was 51.
The firefighters killed in a collapse were the only multi-fatality incident to date. Two firefighters in Oklahoma had responded to a residential structure fire with known occupants trapped inside. During the search for the occupants the roof collapsed, killing everyone.[2]
The firefighter who suffered a medical emergency while working on apparatus was a 60-year-old Pennsylvania volunteer firefighter who had just returned from a fire call.
It is always important to reiterate that the discussion of the details in the reporting of these deaths is not meant to diminish the loss. Each number is a person mourned by a family, friends, and coworkers.
What is intended in this and related writing is that it is important for the fire service to be aware of the details in our on-duty death numbers. Blindly saying that 100 or so firefighters die each year, as well as saying “we’ve lost too many” each time a fatality occurs is turning a blind eye to the data. By understanding the details in the recording, we can be more aware of trends, both good and bad, in our efforts to reduce these fatalities.
Data in Detail
(Number in parentheses is YTD as of posting)
Deaths involving Disorientation: 0
Deaths involving Flashover, Backdraft, Explosive Incident: 0
Deaths Involving Residential Structural Collapse during Fire: 2
– Victim inside Structure: 2
– Victim outside Structure: 0
Deaths Involving Commercial Structural Collapse during Fire: 0
– Victim inside Structure: 0
– Victim outside Structure: 0
Deaths in 1- and 2-Family Dwellings: 1
Deaths in Multi-Family Dwellings: 0
Deaths in Educational, Institutional, Commercial and Industrial Occupancies: 0
Deaths in Vacant/Abandoned Structures: 0
Multi-Fatality Incidents: 1
Nature of Death
Asphyxiation: 0
Blank: 0
Burns: 0
Cerebrovascular Accident: 0
Crushed: 0
Drowning: 0
Electrocution: 0
Exposure: 0
Heart Attack: 0
Not Stated: 0
Other: 11
Trauma: 2
Unknown: 1
Violence: 0
Cause of Death
Assault: 0
Blank: 0
Caught/Trapped: 0
Collapse: 2
Contact With: 0
Exposure: 11
Fall: 0
Lost: 0
Other: 0
Out of Air: 0
Stress/Overexertion: 0
Struck by: 0
Trauma: 0
Vehicle Collision: 0
-Killed in POV crash: 0
Unknown: 1
Average Age: 51
Youngest: 28
Oldest: 67
-Firefighters 65 years old or older at time of death: 2
-Volunteer firefighter 19-years old or younger who died responding to alarm or station: 0
Volunteer: 3
Career: 11
-Paid on Call: 1
Rank/Position
County Fire Coordinator: 0
Fire Chief: 3
Deputy Chief: 0
Assistant Chief: 0
Battalion Chief: 0
Major: 0
Captain: 4
Lieutenant: 1
Sergeant: 0
Safety Officer: 0
Fire Crew Supervisor: 0
Firefighter: 5
-Probationary: 0
Firefighter/Ranger/Wildfire Contracted: 0
Pilot: 0
Recruit/Trainee: 0
Driver/Operator/Engineer: 1
Fire-Police: 0
Fire Marshal: 0
Department of Defense: 0
Chaplain: 0
Wildland Full-Time: 0
Wildland Part-Time: 0
Fireground Assignment/Activity at Time of Death
Incident Command: 0
Fire Attack: 0
Advancing Hoselines: 0
Search: 2
Ventilation (Roof): 0
-Deaths where occupants were known to be out of fire structure: 0
Extrication: 0
Pump Operations: 0
Water Supply: 0
Overhaul/Salvage: 0
On Scene: 0
Scene Safety: 0
Support: 0
EMS/Patient Care: 5
Death As a Result of EMS Exposure: 11
Vehicle Collision/Driving/Operating (Riding) Vehicle/Apparatus: 0
-Personal Vehicle: 0
-Responding: 0
-Returning: 0
-Department Apparatus/Vehicle: 0
-Emergency Response: 0
-Non-emergency Response: 0
Deaths Involving Lack of Seatbelt Use: 0
Deaths Involving Apparatus Accidents: 0
Deaths Which Occurred During Training: 0
In-Station Duties: 5
Other: 1
Department of Defense, Military fire-service LODDs: 0
Deaths Linked to 11 September 2001: 0
References
[1] “On Duty & Line of Duty: What is the Difference” Carey, FireRescue Magazine, March 2013
https://www.firefighternation.com/firerescue/on-duty-line-of-duty-what-is-the-difference/
[2] “Oklahoma Firefighters Killed Trying to Rescue People Trapped in House Fire” FirefighterNation, January 2021
https://www.firefighternation.com/firefighting/oklahoma-firefighters-killed-in-house-fire/
Bill Carey is the Online News Manager with Clarion Fire & Rescue Group, specifically FirefighterNation.com and FireRescue Magazine. Bill served as a firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant at Hyattsville in Prince George’s County, Maryland. His writing has been in FirefighterNation, FireRescue Magazine, Fire Engineering, and other publications and websites. His work on firefighter behavioral health was nominated for a 2014 Neal Award for Best Subject-Related Series. He has been a presenter at Andy Fredericks Training Days.
