Each career poses certain risks, and firefighting is no different. Most injuries experienced by firefighters are minor, but some are life-threatening and can end the career of a firefighter.
Every year, more than 60,000 firefighters get injured either during training, to, or from the rescue mission. Most injuries occur on the fire ground.
Here are some of the leading causes of firefighter injuries.
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#1 Overexertion
What is the leading cause of firefighter injuries? According to NFPA, out of all the firefighter injuries that occurred in 2019, about 58 percent were due to overexertion.
Undoubtedly, firefighting is a muscle straining career, and minor muscle strains are a common phenomenon.
However, severe strains and spraining of muscles can cause disability or even death.
Overexertion occurs when a firefighter tries to push through obstacles during an emergency rescue mission, especially in buildings.
Pushing and pulling of objects in a building can also lead to overexertion and stress to the muscles.
#2 Explosions
Statistics by the National Fire Protection Association indicates that fire explosions are the other leading cause of firefighter injuries. Usually, when the firefighters are called to task, they aim at rescuing all life and also extinguishing the fire.
The unexpected may happen during a fire fighting mission if an explosion occurs. Explosions can leave the victims with severe burns that may render them completely disabled or worse still lead to death.
In May, a fire happened in downtown Los Angeles and Engine 9 fire truck was involved with the rescue. The one-story building was emitting some smoke and fumes of fire.
As usual, the firefighters went to the rooftop to put out the fire while others embarked on saving the people trapped inside. However, the building exploded in a massive fireball that injured many firefighters and even left the truck in charred pieces.
This example is just one in so many cases that happen every day across the United States.
#3. Falls/slips
Another leading cause of firefighter injuries is falling or slips during operation. A firefighter may be forced to jump out of a building during operation if they realize the fire hazard is beyond their training capabilities.
However, some buildings don’t have traction on the fireground, posing a risk to the firefighters.
Miscommunication between the incident commander and the officer executing an operation may prompt the officer to jump out when they realize incoordination. Such falls may lead to fatal injuries, especially if the chinstrap for the helmet comes out on the way down.
During winter, most buildings accumulate ice on the surfaces. Unfortunately, most buildings don’t have ice melting mechanisms. If the firefighter boots don’t have good traction, they may slip over and fall to the ground.
Firefighters who wear helmets and also fasten the chinstraps often survive falls and may only have minor injuries to treat.
Usually, the fatality of a fall, slip, or jump is dependent on the height of the building, and how well the firefighter puts on their protective gear. Most fire departments in the US and globally ignore safety policies.
#4. Injuries on Transit
Firefighters responding to emergency calls or returning from their missions account for so many fire truck accidents every year.
During these accidents, so many firefighters die while others suffer minor to severe injuries. For instance, in 2006 alone, there were 16,000 fire truck accidents, and the number doesn’t include accidents involving firefighters using their vehicles. Car accidents account for over 5,000 injuries to firefighters every year.
The truth is that most firefighters are notorious for ignoring traffic laws. The drivers over speed and also overlap other vehicles on the road. Having a big truck and a loud siren shouldn’t give a reason for a firefighter to risk their lives and those of other road users.
#5. Weather Related Injuries
Fire accidents can occur at any time of the year, and as is expected, the fire department should respond to emergency calls promptly.
Well, during extreme weather conditions such as heat or cold, the firefighters may endure weather-related injuries. For example, during winter, the firefighters out in the cold may suffer frostbites, and during hot weather, they can become dehydrated.
Fire departments should offer rotational relief to the officers so that they don’t get exposed to harsh weather. Besides, training is also paramount so that the firefighters know what symptoms to observe so that they can ask for help before it’s too late.
You may also be interested to know why bagpipes are played in firefighter funerals. Check on that link.
In a nutshell, firefighters suffer minor to severe injuries each year while some even die during the operation.
The leading causes of injuries are falls, overexertion, explosions, motor-vehicle related injuries, and weather-related injuries.
With proper training, awareness, and strict adherence to safety measures will help reduce the casualties.
Equally important, it is always great to have the right knife for the rescue job as well as appropriate fire safety boots as part of your personal protective equipment (PPE).