Line of Duty Death
Encyclopedia
A line of duty death is a death in the fire service while on duty at an emergency
or drill. On average, there are more than 100 LODDs in the United States
per year. When a fire department
loses a member in a LODD, it will commonly fly its flag
at half-staff
, and members will cover their badge
s with a mourning band.
s to chemicals, the number of LODDs is stagnant, or, if anything, decreasing. This can only be attributed to effective training
.
Another factor is that a large number of LODDs - motor vehicle collisions - are preventable
.
** The 2001 figure includes the 343 FDNY firefighters who were killed in the line of duty at the World Trade Center
on September 11, 2001.
Emergency
An emergency is a situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or environment. Most emergencies require urgent intervention to prevent a worsening of the situation, although in some situations, mitigation may not be possible and agencies may only be able to offer palliative...
or drill. On average, there are more than 100 LODDs in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
per year. When a fire department
Fire department
A fire department or fire brigade is a public or private organization that provides fire protection for a certain jurisdiction, which typically is a municipality, county, or fire protection district...
loses a member in a LODD, it will commonly fly its flag
Flag
A flag is a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is usually rectangular and used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium.The first flags were used to assist...
at half-staff
Half-staff
Half-staff is the American term for to describe a flag flying a flag below the summit of the flagpole . The rest of the English-speaking world uses the term half-mast. Technically the flag should be flown one breadth lower to allow for the invisible flag of death...
, and members will cover their badge
Badge
A badge is a device or fashion accessory, often containing the insignia of an organization, which is presented or displayed to indicate some feat of service, a special accomplishment, a symbol of authority granted by taking an oath , a sign of legitimate employment or student status, or as a simple...
s with a mourning band.
Statistics
All statistics- The leading cause of fatalities of firefighters is heart attack (44%), followed by traumaPhysical traumaTrauma refers to "a body wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury, as from violence or accident." It can also be described as "a physical wound or injury, such as a fracture or blow." Major trauma can result in secondary complications such as circulatory shock, respiratory failure and death...
(27%), motor vehicle collisions (20-25%) asphixia and burnBurnA burn is an injury to flesh caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, light, radiation, or friction.Burn may also refer to:*Combustion*Burn , type of watercourses so named in Scotland and north-eastern England...
s (20%). Asphixia and burns generally affect firefighters under 35 years of age more than stress or heart attacks, whereas the opposite is true for firefighters over 35 years of age. - Full time and career firefighters accounted for 33% of fatalities, but only 26% of the fire service.
- Where fire departments have EMSEmergency medical servicesEmergency medical services are a type of emergency service dedicated to providing out-of-hospital acute medical care and/or transport to definitive care, to patients with illnesses and injuries which the patient, or the medical practitioner, believes constitutes a medical emergency...
, calls related to this service may account for as much as 80% of call volume and as low as 50%. However, fatalities associated with these calls are very insignificant (3%). - Volunteer firefighters account for 85% of en route fatalities.
- In the past decadeDecadeA decade is a period of 10 years. The word is derived from the Ancient Greek dekas which means ten. This etymology is sometime confused with the Latin decas and dies , which is not correct....
, fatalities during training have risen to 6%. - About 8% of fatalities occur at incidents with more than one LODD.
Prevention
While the complexity of firefighting is increasing, due to everything from carČar
Čar is a village in the municipality of Bujanovac, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the town has a population of 296 people.-References:...
s to chemicals, the number of LODDs is stagnant, or, if anything, decreasing. This can only be attributed to effective training
Training
The term training refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies. It forms the core of apprenticeships and provides the backbone of content at institutes of...
.
Another factor is that a large number of LODDs - motor vehicle collisions - are preventable
Hazard prevention
Hazard prevention refers to the prevention of risks. The first and most effective stage of hazard prevention and emergency management is the elimination of hazards...
.
L.O.D. Deaths 2010-1980
| Year | Number of Deaths |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 93 |
| 2008 | 118 |
| 2007 | 118 |
| 2006 | 107 |
| 2005 | 115 |
| 2004 | 119 |
| 2003 | 113 |
| 2002 | 101 |
| 2001 | 105/458** |
| 2000 | 105 |
| 1999 | 114 |
| 1998 | 93 |
| 1997 | 100 |
| 1996 | 99 |
| 1995 | 103 |
| 1994 | 106 |
| 1993 | 81 |
| 1992 | 77 |
| 1991 | 108 |
| 1990 | 108 |
| 1989 | 119 |
| 1988 | 136 |
| 1987 | 131 |
| 1986 | 121 |
| 1985 | 126 |
| 1984 | 119 |
| 1983 | 113 |
| 1982 | 126 |
| 1981 | 135 |
| 1980 | 140 |
World Trade Center
The original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new...
on September 11, 2001.