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Patterns of Female Firefighter Injuries on the Fireground

Name of Report: Patterns of Female Firefighter Injuries on the Fireground
Author: Richard Campbell
Date Issued: July 2017

 

Report highlights

  • Between 2010 and 2014, NFPA estimates that female firefighters experienced an average of 1,260 injuries on the fireground each year.
  • Approximately two-thirds (65%) of the injuries were experienced by career firefighters, with volunteer firefighters experiencing the remaining 35% of injuries.
  • The leading primary injury symptom was strain or sprain for both career (29%) and volunteer (19%) firefighters.
  • The leading cause of injury was overexertion or strain for both career (23% of injuries and volunteer (30%) firefighters, followed by exposure to hazard (17% career, 22% volunteer) and slip or trip (16% of career and volunteer).  

Female fireground injuries by cause of injury