Sobering Statistics - Todd Hickman

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) recently released provisional statistics reporting that there were 114 on-duty firefighter fatalities in the U.S. in 2008. Firefighters were lost in 34 states and the Virgin Islands. North Carolina had the highest number of fatalities (11) while New York, Pennsylvania, California, Oregon, Missouri, Illinois and Ohio each had more than 5 on-duty losses. Delaware was not spared this tragedy as Paramedic Stephanie Calloway and Firefighter Michelle Smith were lost last year. The final report and detailed analysis for 2008 will to be available in July. Here’s some of the detail behind the numbers: • Heart attacks and strokes accounted for 50 deaths (43.8%) in 2008, down slightly from 45.7% in 2007. • 26 on-duty firefighters died in wildland fires, more than double the 11 wildland fatalities in 2007 and above the ten-year year average of 21. • 64.9% of all fatalities occurred while performing emergency duties. • Twenty-nine firefighters died as the result of vehicle crashes, 15 in motor vehicles and 14 on aircraft. • Six firefighters were killed in crashes involving their personal vehicles and three died in water tender (tanker) crashes. These are the two vehicle types historically most involved in crashes that kill firefighters. Speed and a lack of seat belt use historically contribute to these incidents. As noted, heart attacks and strokes are a leading cause of death. The physical fitness of our members is a vital concern. We encourage everyone to get and to stay fit, particularly as we all get a little older. We help out with annual physicals provided by the BBVFC and with a fitness facility at headquarters. Another troubling and potentially preventable statistic concerns vehicular fatalities. While seat belts and speed were not necessarily factors in all of these incidents, they are believed to be contributing factors in many of them. Driving safety is another major concern of ours and both officers and drivers are expected to operate safely and to insure that passengers are belted in. USFA Administrator Greg Cade offers, “The tragic losses of on-duty firefighters in 2008 are a reminder of the necessary commitment and efforts by firefighters in all fire departments across the United States to focus on and improve our operational safety. We understand all too well that many of these losses are preventable. The USFA remains dedicated to continuing our efforts to ensure 2009 is a year where we reduce these losses so that firefighters can return home safely to their families and continue serving their communities.” Amen. Vice President and LT Todd Hickman, a native of Reston, VA, joined the BBVFC in 2004 after prior service with companies in Ashburn, VA and Rockville, MD. He has a BA in business administration from High Point University and is a nationally certified firefighter II and EMT-B. Todd is division manager/vice president of NVHomes’ Coastal Division, a director for Junior Achievement of Delaware, a member of the Sussex County Technical Rescue Team and a part-time firefighter/EMT with Millville. He lives in Ocean View with his wife, Candice, and two sons.