USFA Committed to Reducing FF Deaths

While U.S. Fire Administrator Kelvin Cochran is pleased by the reduction in firefighter deaths last year, he believes there's still work to do.

A preliminary report posted on the USFA Web site shows 90 firefighters died on duty last year, compared to 118 in 2008.

During a telephone interview Wednesday afternoon, Cochran said it would be premature to attempt to point to specific causes for the decline.

"While it is good to see the number of deaths down, we have to wait maybe two or three years before we can do a detailed analysis and look for a trend. It's too early to say the culture of the fire service is changing."

The number of firefighter fatalities last year was the lowest since 1993 when 81 firefighters died.

Cochran lauded fire officials for getting involved. "There's the national seat belt pledge and the annual firefighter safety stand down. These programs are benefiting our firefighters..."

Deputy Administrator Glenn Gaines said while he also was excited to see the lower figure, he remains dismayed by the number of heart attack-related deaths.

"Heart attacks are still killing our firefighters," he said. "You have to be physically fit to do this job. You have to have good aerobic capacity..."

Gaines also believes more needs to be done about crashes. Last year, 16 firefighters were killed in collisions.

A video stressing "arriving alive" will be made available to the nation's emergency responders in the next six to eight weeks. "It will reinforce the importance of safe driving," Gaines said.

Both administrators said the USFA remains committed to providing education and support.

"We are not resting on our laurels," Cochran said.