According to a new report released by the NFPA, about three in five firefighters injured at the scene of a structure fire between 2003 and 2006 were battling one- and two-family home fires at the time.
The report -- Patterns of Firefighter Fireground Injuries -- goes on to state that nearly 34,450 firefighters hurt at structure fires on average annually during that period, nearly 21,000 were on the scene of a fire at a one- or two-family homes.
NFPA is using the study to further encourage communities to mandate home fire sprinklers in one- and two-family homes.
"Avoiding fires altogether is by far the best scenario for everyone's health and well-being, civilians and fire service alike," NFPA spokeswoman Lorraine Carli said in a statement. "But in the event there is a fire, home sprinklers are a proven way to save the lives of residents. Home sprinklers will also reduce deaths and injuries among the men and women of the fire service who respond to these fires."
There was an estimated annual average of 40,270 U.S. firefighter fireground injuries in the between 2003 and 2006. Of those, an average of 29,710 were minor, and 10,560 were moderate or severe. Other key findings from the report include:
- Leading types of minor injuries were strain or sprain accounting for an annual average of 7,035 injuries or (24%); pain only, accounting for 3,345 injuries (12%); thermal burns only, accounting for 3,415 injuries (11%); cut or laceration, accounting for 2,695 injuries (9%).
- Leading types of moderate and severe injuries were strains or sprain accounting for an annual average of 3,635 injuries a year, or 34%; thermal burn, accounting for 940 injuries (9%); pain only, accounting for 920 injuries (9%).
- Leading causes of moderate and severe injuries were slipping, falling, or tripping (3,095 or 29%).
- Leading type of activity at time of injury for both minor and major injuries involved handling hose lines.
- Highest injury rates per 100 fires occurred in the midnight to 8 a.m. timeframe.
