83 U.S. firefighters died on duty or within 24 hours of duty in 2025

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

MISSOURI (KBSI) – The National Fire Protection Association reported 83 firefighter deaths connected to on-duty activity in 2025, up from 69 deaths in 2024.

The total includes 65 firefighters who died on duty from traumatic injuries, heart attacks or other medical conditions. Another 18 died from heart attacks within 24 hours of duty.

Heart attacks were the leading cause, accounting for 45 deaths. Twenty-seven occurred while firefighters were on duty, while 18 occurred within the following 24 hours.

Municipal firefighters accounted for 79 of the deaths, including 34 career firefighters and 45 volunteers. The remaining four were wildland firefighters.

Overexertion or strain contributed to 29 on-duty deaths. Crashes caused 13 deaths, while other fatalities involved firefighters becoming trapped, being struck by objects, falling, being assaulted or suffering contact-related injuries.

“Sudden cardiac death remains a critical concern among firefighters,” said Richard Campbell, a senior NFPA research analyst and lead author of the report.

Campbell said fitness programs, annual medical evaluations and continued health monitoring should be prioritized. He also noted that age is a significant cardiac risk factor, particularly among volunteer firefighters.

Despite annual fluctuations, the report found that firefighter deaths have generally declined since the study began nearly 50 years ago.