Key Findings from the Report

• The total number of on-duty firefighter deaths in 2016 was 69, continuing a multi-year decline and remaining below the 70 mark for five out of the last six years.
• Fireground-related deaths reached a record low of 15, the fewest ever recorded in the 40-year history of this study.
• Sudden cardiac events and internal trauma were the leading causes of death, each accounting for 26 fatalities.
• Career firefighters had their lowest fatality count ever, with only 19 deaths reported in 2016.

As reported by Firehouse.com, the NFPA’s 2016 data highlights a significant reduction in on-duty firefighter fatalities compared to past decades. While cardiac issues remain the top cause of death, the number of such fatalities dropped to 26 in 2016—the lowest since the study began in 1977. However, internal trauma also accounted for 26 deaths, indicating that other factors are playing an increasing role.

Of the 69 total deaths, 39 were volunteers, 19 were career firefighters, eight were federal land management employees, one was a state contractor, one was part of an industrial fire brigade, and one was a prison inmate. The data reflects the diverse backgrounds of those who lost their lives while serving.

Rita Fahy, manager of fire databases and systems at the NFPA, noted that in the early days of the report, the average number of annual firefighter fatalities was close to 150. Over the past five years (2012–2016), that number has dropped to just under 73, marking a clear and steady decline.

Despite the progress, the report also points out that the data does not capture all risks firefighters face. Issues like job-related cancers and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are becoming more recognized as long-term consequences of the profession. As Fahy explained, “While the annual report shows a decline in on-duty deaths, it doesn’t include many off-duty fatalities that can still be linked to firefighting activities.”

Additionally, there was a notable shift in causes: cardiac deaths fell from 51% in 2015 to 38% in 2016, while internal trauma rose slightly, partly due to an increase in vehicle accident-related deaths—from 12% to 25%. These changes highlight the evolving nature of risks faced by firefighters today.

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