Question from a Reader, Updated

Bill Carey
19 August 2021

Updated 13 January 2022.

“What are the numbers on firefighter COVID-19 line of duty deaths?”

Since the United States Fire Administration began reporting on-duty deaths due to the coronavirus pandemic, at total of 99 firefighter deaths are on record[1].

In 2020 a total of 36 deaths were recorded. Here is the breakdown of that year:

Career (including part-time, paid-on-call, contractor): 25
Average age: 50
Oldest: 70 Youngest: 28
Contracted the virus via:
In-Station Duties: 11
EMS: 9
Other: 4
Training: 1

Contracted via exposure to one COVID-19 patient: 7
Contracted via exposure to more than one COVID-19 patient: 4

Volunteer: 11
Average age: 67
Oldest: 88 Youngest: 47
65-years old and older: 7
Contracted the virus via:
Other: 5
In-Station Duties: 3
EMS: 2
Training: 1

Contracted via exposure to one COVID-19 patient: 2
Contracted via exposure to more than one COVID-19 patient: 0

Here are the numbers for 2021 as of 20 October.

Career (including part-time, paid-on-call, contractor): 51
Oldest: 67 Youngest: 31
Contracted the virus via:
In-Station Duties: 17
EMS: 25
Other: 5
Wildland: 4

Contracted via exposure to one COVID-19 patient: 11
Contracted via exposure to more than one COVID-19 patient: 14

Volunteer: 12
Oldest: 73 Youngest: 27
65-years-old and older: 3
Contracted the virus via:
Advancing Hoselines (incl. Wildland): 1
In-Station Duties: 5
EMS: 3
Other: 2
Extrication: 1

Contracted via exposure to one COVID-19 patient: 3
Contracted via exposure to more than one COVID-19 patient: 1

States with the highest number of deaths in the 2020 to 2021 period:
Texas: 12
Florida: 7
North Carolina: 7
California: 6
Pennsylvania: 6
Ohio: 5
Tennessee: 6
Georgia: 4
Illinois: 4
Indiana: 4

The International Association of Fire Fighters has recorded 76 member deaths due to COVID-19[2](updated).

References:
1. “Nature of Death: COVID-19” United States Fire Administration, 19 August 2021.
2. “IAFF Member COVID-19 Deaths” IAFF, 17 August 2021

Title image courtesy of Unsplash.

Published by Data Not Drama

Data Not Drama is writings that provide a point of critical thought about firefighter fatality data and education, line of duty deaths, and risk. The main focus is to encourage less risk aversion and better knowledge on the subject of firefighter fatalities in firefighters, fire departments, and fire service organizations.

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