Background. - Motor vehicle-related injuries constitute the next most prevalent line-of-duty fatality, after fire/explosion events and heart attacks.
Objective. - To quantify the circumstances and magnitude of line-of-duty (on-the-job) motor vehicle-related fatality (MVRF) to firefighters.
Methods. - Census of Fatal Occupational Injury (CFOI) data from 1992-98 were evaluated to assess MVRF risk. Rates were estimated using CFOI and the National Fire Protection Association's employment data. Cases were restricted to fire service occupations involved in selected transportation incidents (“highway”, “non-highway”, and “pedestrian” events) and examined with respect to demographic, occupational and event characteristics. Review of case narratives identified contributing factors including vehicle types and circumstances.
Results. - Of 278 fatalities identified, 109 (39%) were transportation-related. MVRFs accounted for 35% (96 of 278) of all line-of-duty fatalities. Over the 7-year period, the estimated motor vehicle fatality rate was 1.2 per 100,000 firefighters per year. Over half of “highway/non-highway”events occurred while en route to the incident (53%) and in which the decedent was operating the vehicle (56%). “Volunteers” had 3.5 times the odds (95% confidence interval=2.1-5.9) of motor vehicle-related fatalities (versus all other fatality events) compared to those working for pay/compensation. However, they were less likely to experience fire/explosion fatalities than those who were compensated (odds ratio=0.60, 95 confidence interval=0.36-1.0)
Conclusion. - Motor vehicle-related incidents were a prominent cause of line-of-duty fatalities. While fireground activities continue to exact a toll on firefighter mortality and morbidity, reduction of firefighter fatalities should include measures to address motor vehicle hazards.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify motor vehicle types involved in fatal roadway injuries among firefighters. 2. Recognize age and employment differences in firefighter motor vehicle-related fatality events. 3. Describe demographic and event characteristics associated with firefighter motor vehicle fatal injuries.
Keywords: Work-Related Fatalities,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.