About the FFFIPP

Purpose

The NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP) conducts independent investigations of firefighter line-of-duty deaths and serious injuries. We develop prevention actions to help prevent similar events.

A firefighter walks towards a firetruck.

Overview

In 1998, Congress recognized the need to address the national problem of work-related firefighter deaths and serious injuries. They funded NIOSH to implement a firefighter safety initiative.

The FFFIPP is a public health program. We do not enforce compliance with state or federal job safety and health standards. We do not determine fault or place blame on fire departments or individual firefighters.

Objectives

  • Report characteristics of line-of-duty deaths or serious injury
  • Identify key contributing factors
  • Develop and share actions to prevent similar injuries and deaths
  • Provide educational materials

Data

Fire Fighter Fatality Map‎

This interactive map identifies all firefighter deaths reported to the U.S. Fire Administration and the select firefighter deaths that FFFIPP has investigated. Data can be shown in map format and in a listing format. Information for completed investigations include links to final reports.
View Fire Fighter Fatality Map

Impact

Since our program's start, we have investigated about 40 percent of all firefighter line-of-duty-deaths that have occurred in the U.S. Investigation priorities may change based on the leading risks to firefighters as identified from fatality data and fire service community input.

Previously completed reports‎

Find reports from 2015 and before in CDC Stacks. To refine your search, add key words after FFFIPP in the search bar.
View previously completed reports

Fire service involvement

We participate on a number of National Fire Protection Association and other consensus standard setting committees. This allows us to submit key findings from our investigations to organizations and committees best positioned to influence change to improve firefighter safety and health.

Our work, reviewed

Valuing fire service community input, NIOSH stands ready to make changes that reflect:

  • Ongoing experience with the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program
  • Evolving knowledge about factors that put firefighters at risk of injury and death
  • Focusing on unique and emerging hazards identified by the fire service community

View material from the 2022 fire service community meeting:

Public Comment Docket

Fire Service Community Meeting Summary: Fire Service Suggestions and NIOSH Responses [PDF – 399 KB]

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Content Source:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health