| Recently several high-profile incidents involving | | | | percent are head and internal injury including |
| firefighter fatalities have brought world attention | | | | trauma. Most of the fire causes structural |
| to the increasing incidents of firefighter mortality. | | | | collapse; Firefighters are risking their lives to save |
| On 9/11 Number of firefighters and paramedics | | | | people who are trapped inside. They are in |
| killed were 343. Due to global warming and climate | | | | constant danger from debris falling on them from |
| changes more bush fires are reported than ever | | | | a collapsing building. Sometimes they have to |
| before. This has resulted in direct increase in | | | | work under already collapsed building and rushing in |
| firefighter fatalities. Firefighting is very high risk | | | | to unknown territory, working in smoked filled |
| career and is one of the top five dangerous jobs | | | | rooms increases their chances of physical injury. |
| in the world. | | | | Other 20 percent of firefighter fatalities come |
| The leading nature of fatal injuries of firefighters | | | | from burns and asphyxia. The uncertain nature of |
| is heart attack (44 percent);They have to carry | | | | wild fire sometimes traps firefighter increasing |
| heavy equipments along with their heavy duty | | | | their fatalities. Certain fires due to involvement of |
| fire proof clothing to remote or sometimes | | | | hazardous chemical are explosive in nature. Such |
| highest point of building without lifts. During | | | | explosive fires take firefighter by surprise and |
| extremely physically demanding activities, a | | | | give them little chance to escape. |
| firefighter could deplete an SCBA (Self-contained | | | | Firefighters have to handle many other types of |
| breathing apparatus) in as little as 10 or 15 | | | | emergency situation apart from fire. They also |
| minutes (when using a 30-minute air cylinder). Risk | | | | put themselves at high risk while rescuing people |
| of heart attack increase as their profession brings | | | | from dangerous situation. No doubt firefighters |
| them in to direct contact with poisonous gases | | | | have high rate of fatalities compared to many |
| like hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide. | | | | other risky jobs. |
| The second most leading firefighter fatality at 27 | | | | |