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FEMA/USFA Hazardous Materials Guide for First Responders (Hazmat Guide)
"Hazardous materials incidents are different from fire suppression or other usual emergency operations. The nature of the hazard requires different protective equipment, operational approaches, skills and attitudes. The rules are changed. Getting in and making a fast attack is not the order of the day. A slower methodical approach is called for, as well as the need to follow federal and state law. This guide covers different hazardous materials from A-Z with specific situations such as tank and railcar incidents as well as chemical pages and a general incident approach."
United States Fire Administration
2000
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Medical Transport Contingency Plan for a Rural Municipal Fire/EMS System
"Cottonwood Fire Department does not have a plan to provide medical transport services if the current ambulance provider discontinues service. This could potentially leave the community with inadequate or no medical transport. The purpose of this research project is to create an organizational contingency plan to provide ambulance service."
United States Fire Administration
Wills, Timothy J.
2008-09
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Prioritizing Emergency Medical Dispatch and the Impact on Resources and Service Delivery
"Douglas County Fire District No. 2's (DCFD2) does not have a system for prioritizing EMS [Emergency Medical Services] dispatches. The purpose of the research was to determine, through descriptive research, criteria for implementing an effective system for prioritizing EMS responses. The procedures included literature review and a survey of other fire agencies. Research answered what the standards in the industry were and what the benefits and risks of implementing a medical priority dispatch system were. Results showed that there were proven, established priority medical dispatch programs being utilized across the nation that could effectively be implemented in our jurisdiction."
United States Fire Administration
Marlar, Greg B.
2007-08
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Residential Building Electrical Fires
"These short topical reports are designed to explore facets of the U.S. fire problem as depicted through data collected in USFA's [United States Fire Administration] National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). Each topical report briefly addresses the nature of the specific fire or fire-related topic, highlights important findings from the data, and may suggest other resources to consider for further information. Also included are recent examples of fire incidents that demonstrate some of the issues addressed in the report or that put the report topic in context. This report focuses on residential building electrical fires. Findings from this report are: 1) Annually, an estimated 28,300 residential building electrical fires cause 360 deaths, 1,000 injuries, and $995 million in direct loss. 2) Fifteen percent of residential building electrical fires start in bedrooms. 3) Nearly half (47%) of the residential building electrical fires where equipment was involved were caused by the building's wiring. 4) Twenty-two percent of residential building electrical fires occur during December and January."
United States Fire Administration
2008-03
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Clothes Dryer Fires in Residential Buildings
"For many households and other establishments, the clothes dryer is an indispensable convenience and necessity. However, if clothes dryers are not properly installed or maintained, critical fires can occur. Using the latest 3 years of data, from 2002 to 2004, the yearly national fire loss for clothes dryer fires in structures is estimated at $99 million. Each year, these losses result from an estimated 15,600 fires that required a fire department response. These clothes dryer fires cause an annual average of approximately 400 injuries and 15 fatalities."
United States Fire Administration
2007-01
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Heating Fires in Residential Buildings [2006]
"Between 2002 and 2004, an annual average of 49,100 heating fires occurred in residential buildings and were responsible for an estimated 125 civilian fire deaths, 575 injuries, and $232 million in property loss. The term heating fires applies to those fires that are caused by functioning or malfunctioning central heating units, fixed or portable local heating units, fireplaces, heating stoves, chimneys, and water heaters. This topical report examines the causes and characteristics of heating fires that occur in residential buildings."
United States Fire Administration
2006-11
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Fire Department Overall Run Profile
"These short topical reports are designed to explore facets of the U.S. fire problem as depicted through data collected in USFA's [United States Fire Administration] National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). Each topical report briefly addresses the nature of the specific fire or fire-related topic, highlights important findings from the data, and may suggest other resources to consider for further information." This report focuses on fire department overall run profiles. Findings from this report are: 1) Less than 10% of fire department runs are fires. 2) Over half of calls to fire departments require emergency medical service. 3) Approximately 11% of runs involve mutual or automatic aid. 4) Wireless telecommunication technologies create challenges for emergency dispatchers."
United States Fire Administration
2007-12
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Structure Fire Response Times [August 2006]
"The definition of 'response time' depends on the perspective from which one approaches the data. In the fire service, 'total' response time is usually measured from the time a call is received by the emergency communications center to the arrival of the first apparatus at the scene. For the public, the clock for response time begins when the public becomes aware there is an emergency incident occurring and the fire department is notified. In reality, however, the response time clock for fire suppression begins at the moment of fire ignition and continues until the fire is extinguished."
United States Fire Administration
2006-08
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Structure Cooking Fires
"Fires attributable to cooking equipment have long been one of the leading causes of structure fires.With the decline in fires caused by heating in the 1980s and early 1990s and the steady level of cooking-related fires, cooking has become the leading cause of structure fires.This topical report examines the characteristics of structure cooking fires as derived from currently available 2002 NFIRS [National Fire Incident Reporting System] data. In 2002 alone, cooking-related fires caused an estimated 185,600 fires in structures, 80 deaths, 3,875 injuries, and $481 million in property damage."
United States Fire Administration
2005-08
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Fire Department Fire Run Profile
"Fire departments provide an invaluable service to our communities nationwide by responding to fire incidents in structures, outside areas, vehicles, and other areas. In 2004, the estimated 1,550,500 fire incidents required an estimated 1,847,300 fire department runs. This topical report profiles these fire department fire runs as reflected in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) 2004 data."
United States Fire Administration
2007-12
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Restaurant Fires
"Restaurants pose unique fire risks as they gather potentially large numbers of customers at one time, while engaging in cooking activities that inherently pose the risk of fire. This topical report examines the causes and characteristics of reported restaurant structure fires in 2002 and compares such characteristics with those of all non−residential structure fires. There were an estimated 7,100 fires in 2002, resulting in an estimated 108 injuries and $116 million in property loss. Although this report contains no estimates of deaths from restaurant fires for 2002, the potential for fire fatalities exists in any building or property where people congregate. Fires in restaurants caused more property damage per fire than the average structure fire (Figure 1), but less property damage than the average non−residential structure fire. This less−than−average property loss is due to the large number of cooking fires that were confined to the cooking vessel (41% of all restaurant fires) and resulted in small or no−loss fires. Also, restaurant kitchens are usually equipped with fire extinguishers so that fires are often extinguished before severe property damage is incurred. The average number of deaths and injuries per 1,000 fires was considerably less than the average structure fire, which includes residential homes, but similar to the casualty rates for non−residential structures."
United States Fire Administration
2004-10
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Kitchen Fires
"In 2002, approximately 30% of reported structure fires first ignited in a kitchen and accounted for 12% of deaths, 32% of injuries, and 10% of property loss. As a fixture of modern homes, restaurants, institutions (e.g., schools), food manufacturers, and some office environments, kitchens introduce the risk of cooking fires to a range of structures. This topical report examines the characteristics and frequency of kitchen fires and compares them with structure fires and all fires generally."
United States Fire Administration
2004-10
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Mattress and Bedding Fires in Residential Structures
"Mattresses manufactured today are much safer than they once were. In 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) enacted the Federal Mattress Flammability Standard, which required mattresses to resist ignition from smoldering cigarettes and other small flames. This standard, along with public education and strict industry compliance, has been credited by the Sleep Products Safety Council with reducing the number of mattress fires and mattress-related fire fatalities.Today, the CPSC is developing a new standard that will require mattresses to be resistant from ignition not only by cigarettes but also open flame sources such as candles, matches, and lighters. Despite the legislation and other prevention messages, mattresses and bedding mate-rials are involved in many fires. Between 1996 and 1998, there were an estimated 20,800 residential structure fires where mattresses, pillows, and bedding materials were reported as the item first ignited. These fires were responsible for more than 2,200 civilian injuries, 380 civilian fatalities, and almost $104 million in property loss."
United States Fire Administration
2002-02
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Outdoor Fires [2002]
"This report examines the causes and characteristics of fires that occur outdoors. Each year between 1996 and 1998, there were an estimated 867,300 outdoor fires in the United States-approximately half of all fires reported to fire departments. Outdoor fires resulted in approximately 850 civilian injuries, 30 civilian deaths, and $55.3 million property loss."
United States Fire Administration
2002-01
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Intentionally Set Fires in Residential Buildings
"From 2004 to 2006, an estimated average of 18,100 intentionally set fires in residential buildings occurred each year in the United States. Intentionally set fires account for 5 percent of residential building fires responded to by fire departments across the Nation. These fires resulted in an average of approximately 290 deaths, 850 injuries, and $533 million in property loss each year. As part of the Intentionally Set Fires Topical Reports series, this topical report addresses the characteristics of intentionally set fires in residential buildings reported to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) between 2004 and 2006. Intentional fires are those fires that require fire service intervention and are deliberately set. These fires include fires that result from deliberate misuse of a heat source, fires of an incendiary nature (arson), as well as other deliberate acts."
United States Fire Administration
2009-12
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Intentionally Set Vehicle Fires
"From 2004 to 2006, an estimated 27,900 intentionally set vehicle fires occurred each year in the United States. Intentionally set fires account for 10 percent of all vehicle fires. These intentionally set fires resulted in an average of approximately 40 deaths, 75 injuries, and $169 million in property loss each year. This topical report addresses the characteristics of intentionally set vehicle fires reported to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) between 2004 and 2006. Intentionally set fires are those that are deliberately set and include fires that result from deliberate misuse of a heat source, fires of an incendiary nature (arson), as well as controlled burn fires, such as crop clearing, that required fire service intervention. The NFIRS data provide information on fires and factors that may have contributed to the fire's ignition. In the case of suspected arson fires, NFIRS allows for the collection of additional information to determine why the fire was set. In the case of intentionally set fires, only 12 percent of the incidents provide information as to the potential motive for these fires."
United States Fire Administration
2009-12
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Intentionally Set Outdoor Fires
"Between 2004 and 2006, an estimated 176,100 outdoor fires were intentionally set each year in the United States. These intentionally set fires accounted for approximately 27 percent of outdoor fires reported to fire departments and 7 percent of all fires. Intentionally set outdoor fires resulted in an estimated 250 civilian injuries and 20 civilian deaths. Property losses for intentionally set outdoor fires are sometimes difficult to assess as intentionally set outdoor fires. For example, rubbish fires often do not have dollar losses associated with them. Nationally, losses from intentionally set outdoor fires are estimated at $23 million. The term 'outdoor fires' can include a variety of fires that occur out of doors: wildland fires, crop fires, rubbish fires, and others. Intentionally set fires are those fires that are deliberately set and include fires that result from deliberate misuse of a heat source, fires of an incendiary nature (arson), as well as controlled burn fires of crops, rubbish, and waste that required fire service intervention. This topical report focuses on intentionally set outdoor fires that are reported to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) using the standard fire reporting modules and does not include wildland fires."
United States Fire Administration
2009-11
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Intentionally Set Fires
"From 2004 to 2006, an estimated 210,300 intentionally set fires occurred each year in the United States. Intentionally set fires account for 13 percent of fires responded to by fire departments across the Nation. These fires resulted in an average of approximately 375 deaths; 1,300 injuries; and $1.06 billion in property loss each year. Intentional fires are those fires that are deliberately set and include fires that result from deliberate misuse of a heat source, fires of an incendiary nature (arson), as well as controlled burn fires, such as crop clearing, that required fire service intervention. This topical report addresses the characteristics of intentionally set fires reported to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) between 2004 and 2006. Subsets of the intentionally set fire problem-outside, vehicle, and residential building intentionally set fires-are further investigated in separate topical reports. Each topical report addresses specific concerns related to these subsets of the intentional fire problem."
United States Fire Administration
2009-11
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Fires Ignited by Lighters and Matches
"Throughout the world, lighters and matches are prominent symbols of fire and fire ignition, transcending barriers of language, age, and culture-and for good reason. Lighters and matches ignite candles, pilot lights, campfires, cigarettes, fireplace fires, and countless other presumably safe fires. Easy to buy, easy to transport and easy to use, matches and lighters are convenient and effective, but can also be deadly and destructive. Although lighters and matches are similar in use and availability, match−ignited fires outnumber lighter−ignited fires by more than two to one. It is important to recognize that lighter− and match−ignited fires have different characteristics and an unequal degree of severity. Together, lighters and matches caused 9% of all fires where the heat source was specified, and estimates indicate that there were 144,000 reported fires ignited by lighters or matches in 2002. Combined, match and lighter fires were the source of ignition in fires that killed an estimated 321 civilians, injured 1,877, and caused $470 million in property loss in 2002. This topical report examines the causes and characteristics of lighter and match fires, based on 2002 NFIRS [National Fire Incident Reporting System] data, and compares such characteristics with those of all fires."
United States Fire Administration
2004-10
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Residential Structure Match- or Lighter-Ignited Fires
"Match and lighter fires are analyzed together because of their similar uses, easy availability, and universal recognition as fire ignition sources. While they are grouped for the purposes of this report, the characteristics of lighter fires are different from those of match fires. Only 19% of all fires ignited by lighters and matches occurred in residential structures in 2002. These fires, however, account for approximately 80% of all fatalities, 76% of all injuries, and 68% of all property loss resulting from lighter and match fires. Injurious and costly, residential structure fires require focused analysis when investigating the lighter− and match−ignited fire problem. Based on NFIRS [National Fire Incident Reporting System] data, lighters and matches were responsible for 5% of the residential structure fire problem in the United States during 2002. Lighters and matches ignited an estimated 20,200 fires, which killed 276 people, injured 1,445 more, and destroyed $322 million in property. Lighters ignited nearly 57% of lighter− or match− ignited residential structure fires."
United States Fire Administration
2004-10
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Seasonal Nature of Fires
"As weather and human activities change with the seasons of the year, so does the incidence, causes and severity of fires. Cold winter weather increases indoor activities and the need for heating, which brings about the peak period of heating structure fires. Daily fire incidence is at its highest in the spring. Spring is characterized by an increase in outside fires and a decrease in fires related to heating. The increase in outside spring fires is in large part due to the increase in tree, grass, and brush fires. Summer fires reflect an increase of incendiary and suspicious fires, fires associated with fireworks and natural fires caused by lightning strikes. These fires are a reflection of the change to warmer weather and the consequent increase in both outside activities and dry natural vegetation. Fire incidence is at its lowest in the fall. In fall, there is a decrease in outside fires, an increase in heating−related structure fires and the peak period of cooking fires. The incidence of vehicle fires is relatively constant throughout the year, as are their causes. The incidence of daily fires increases during and around four holiday periods: Independence Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the winter holiday period that includes Christmas and New Year's. More fires are reported on July 4th than any other day of the year. Brush and outside fires increase substantially due to family outings and the misuse of fireworks. On Halloween, and the night before, incendiary and suspicious structure fires are about 60 percent more frequent than on an average day."
United States Fire Administration
2005-01
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Seasonal Nature of Fire Incidents in 2000
"Through decades of study, the incidence of fire has followed distinct patterns and trends that are seasonal in nature. Both natural occurrences and human behaviors vary with the seasons, and both are factors that affect the causes and damaging effects of fires. Changes in weather and climatological events can lengthen a season or rush the onset of a new one. Nevertheless, the individual seasons, and the U.S. population, do present certain fire profiles that are repeated year after year and can, in some measure, be predicted. In 2000, an estimated 1.7 million fires in the United States claimed more than 4,000 lives, injured 22,350 people, and caused $11.2 billion in property damage.1 The three leading causes of fire in 2000-incendiary, cooking, and open flame-are greatly affected by seasonal human activities. This report explores fire patterns by each season in 2000; both the changes in incidence and the causes of fire are discussed. For purposes of this report, the seasons are measured in 3-month blocks: winter is December through February, spring is March through May, summer is June through August, and fall is September through November."
United States Fire Administration
2004-06
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Dangers of Fireworks [2005]
"It would be hard to imagine July 4th festivities in the United States without public displays of fireworks, and a number of other holidays, such as New Years, often call for big shows as well. But celebrations can become tragic when someone is injured by consumer fireworks. Despite federal and state regulations on the type of fireworks available for sale to the general public, even those fireworks that are sold legally carry an elevated risk of personal injury. Fireworks are considered hazardous materials with the potential to cause serious injury. All fireworks are regulated by the Federal Hazardous Substance Act, which prohibits sale of the more dangerous types to the public to avoid injury and property damage. Among these banned products are large, reloadable mortar shells, cherry bombs, aerial bombs, M-80s, and large firecrackers with more than 2 grains of powder. Likewise, all mail order kits to construct fireworks are strictly prohibited. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulates fireworks that can be sold legally to consumers and is responsible for setting minimum standards, such as requiring firecrackers to have fuses that burn at least 3 seconds but not more than 9 seconds, and that all devices be sealed to prevent leakage of pyrotechnic material. Further, all legal fireworks must have labels with instructions for safe use, as well as warnings and precautions."
United States Fire Administration
2005-06
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Thanksgiving Day: Residential Structure Fires
"As with many U.S. holidays, fire incidence increases on Thanksgiving Day. This increase is troubling as it applies mostly to cooking fires in the family home. Each year, nearly 4,300 fires in the United States occur on Thanksgiving day causing 15 fatalities, about 50 injuries, and nearly $27 million in property damage. Of these fires, 1,450 are in residential structures that claim 15 lives, injure 41, and cause an estimated $21 million in damage."
United States Fire Administration
2002-11
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Arson in the United States [2001]
"Arson is the leading cause of fire in the United States. Each year, an estimated 267,000 fires are attributed to arson, which result in $1.4 billion in property loss and cause over 2,000 injuries and 475 deaths. As a result, arson prevention and investigation have become the focus of increased attention within the federal government, the fire service, and the criminal justice system."
United States Fire Administration
2001-12
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Thanksgiving Day Fires in Residential Buildings
"From 2006 to 2008, an estimated 4,300 Thanksgiving Day fires occurred annually in the United States causing 10 deaths, 50 injuries, and $30 million in property loss. Of these Thanksgiving Day fires, an estimated 2,000 fires occurred in residential buildings resulting in an estimated average of 5 deaths, 25 injuries, and $21 million in property loss each year. On Thanksgiving Day, many families customarily spend the holiday inside their home or the home of a friend or family member with the family dinner being the highlight of the day. Because of this holiday custom, from 2006 to 2008, the average number of reported residential building fires on Thanksgiving Day almost doubled (49 percent) from the average number of fires in residential buildings on all days other than Thanksgiving (26 percent). As a result, it is particularly important to look at the characteristics of residential building fires on Thanksgiving. This report addresses the characteristics of Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings reported to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) between 2006 and 2008, the most recent data available at the time of analysis. Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings are fire incidents that occurred on November 23, 2006, November 22, 2007, and November 27, 2008."
United States Fire Administration
2010-11
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New Year's Holiday Fires
"This topical report examines the patterns and characteristics of fires that occurred during the 2001 and 2002 New Year's holidays, and it compares those characteristics with average fire patterns during comparable winter days and annually. Approximately 6,400 fires in the United States occurred during the average New Year's holiday, claiming an estimated 30 lives, causing 93 injuries and $53 million in property damage. Approximately 34% of all New Year's fires occurred in residential property structures."
United States Fire Administration
2004-12
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Residential Structure Fires during the Winter Holiday Season
"Each year, nearly 156,000 fires in the United States occur during the winter holiday season claiming nearly 630 lives, 2,600 injuries, and $936 million in property damage. Of these, 47,000 residential structure fires kill 530, injure 2,200, and cause an estimated $554 million in property damage. Fire loads increase throughout the home during the holiday season. Many homes are decorated with seasonal garlands, electric lights, candles, banners, or displays. Probably the most popular addition to the home during the holiday season, and a significant fire hazard, is the Christmas tree. Dried - out fir and pine Christmas trees ignite easily and can accelerate fire growth by spreading rapidly to nearby combustible materials in the home."
United States Fire Administration
2002-12
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December and Holiday Fires
"December marks the beginning of the holiday season, which includes Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve. Using the latest 3 years of data from 2002 to 2004, the yearly national fire loss for December is estimated at $990 million. Each year, these losses result from an estimated 128,700 December fires that required a fire department response. These December fires cause an average of approximately 1,650 injuries and 415 fatalities. The National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data show that the average dollar loss per fire is 8% higher during December than during the winter months, but the injury and death rates are relatively unchanged, as shown in Table 1."
United States Fire Administration
2006-12
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Candle Fires in Residential Structures [2006]
"Retail sales of candles are growing each year. 'In the last 10 years, the increase in candle sales has been at least 700 percent,' noted Valerie Cooper, executive vice president of the National Candle Association, in a 2004 interview. The National Candle Association estimates that candles are used in 7 out of 10 U.S. households with annual candle sales averaging $2 billion. Nearly 2,000 varieties of candles are on the market, ranging from small votive warming candles to those used for religious purposes and holiday decorations. Candles, though, are responsible for an estimated 23,600 residential structure fires each year and cause 1,525 civilian injuries, 165 fatalities, and $390 million in direct property loss. This topical report examines the causes and characteristics of these candle fires, based on 3 years of fire data (2002-2004)."
United States Fire Administration
2006-07
