EMMITSBURG, Md. -- A new report compiled by the USFA shows that between 2006 and 2008, there were 81,070 firefighter injuries, with the most occurring on the fireground.
Officials examined the nature, types and causes of injuries through data submitted to National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).
They noted that very few of the firefighter injuries reported to NFIRS indicate problems with firefighter protective gear.
"Only 9 percent indicate protective gear failures as a factor in the injury. Modern equipment and equipment standards, combined with current equipment replacement cycles, may preclude protective equipment failures. Firefighter gloves with wristlets, positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and hoods account for 32 percent of equipment problems," the report reads.
They also determined that 41 percent of firefighter injuries were to the upper and lower extremities torso, arms, hands, legs and feet while the head and shoulder regions account for an additional 26 percent of injuries.
Other highlights of the report showed:
*Thirty-eight percent of all fire-related firefighter injuries resulted in lost work time.
*Firefighter injury fires are more prevalent in July (10 percent) and peak between the hours of 2 and 5 p.m.
*Overexertion/strain is the cause of 25 percent of fire-related firefighter injuries reported to NFIRS.
