Chinese Firefighter Fatalities 2007–2016

Abstract

This study analyzes the types of duty associated with firefighter deaths, the age and rank of firefighters, and the cause of fatal injuries to firefighters who died 2007 through 2016. There were 193 Chinese firefighters died in line of duty in recent decade, excluding the firefighter deaths in 2015 Tianjing Port explosion. Twenty-one firefighters died for every million fire averagely and 51% fatalities occurred at the scene of emergency response. The firefighters died in 2007–2016 ranged in age from 18 to 51, with a median age of 26 years. The highest death rates were for firefighters between 18 and 25, accounting for about 60% of all. The first three largest shares of deaths were vehicle crash, stress or overexertion, and being caught or trapped, accounting for about 60% of all. The active service system seemed to be an economical institutional arrangement, but it caused the fire brigades always in a situation lacking of readiness. Efforts should be taken to perform genuine changes in the system, improve training, emergency scene operations, firefighter health and safety, and reduce the number of firefighter fatalities in the future.