Firefighters: what usually causes death?

Question

When fighting a fire...it seems that the most common cause of death in the line of duty is when the roof collapses?

Correct me if I am wrong.

Why would you get on the roof of a burning building knowing that eventually it will collapse?

Answer 1

Actually, it's more heart failure, as 9 out of 10 firefighters are overweight or obese and heart failure is the #1 killer of firefighters

Answer 2

Yes, quite a few firefighters have been killed in the line of duty by roof or floor collapse. Partially because they fail to read the "signs" of a collapse and get out before it's to late. The need for being on the roof is for ventilation, but again you must read the signs and get off before it's too late. But it's not the number one LODD.

Recent research has shown that fires today burn hotter, more intensely and give off more toxic and volatile chemicals like hydrogen cyanide. This hydrogen cyanide even in small quantities is getting into firefighters bodies and causing heart attacks well after the fire. Even in healthy firefighters. This is in part to not wearing full PPE and SCBA at all times while on the fire scene.

The second LODD is due to heart attacks from poor health and improper diet. And yes there are a few couch potatoes in the fire service, but the majority are hard working men and women ready, willing, and able to serve at a moments notice!

Answer 3

That is what you get for listing to the news. Police officers do not pronounce. They do release information that a person is dead. They are the ones who notify family and later release info to the press. While a cop or paramedic (not a firefighter) can tell an ME, ME investigator or even a doctor that someone is dead only The ME or there investigator or a doctor can pronounce death officially. Even a paramedic with a ECG attached cannot pronounce death. They can, over the telemetry system, ask the doc viewing the information to pronounce. According to an independent study done on first responders police officers, who are on patrol not sitting in a station awaiting a call, save more victims of accidents, fire and just plain heart attacks than do firefighters.

Answer 4

The most common cause of a LODD (line of duty death) is a heart attack at the scene of a fire. Collapsin roofs do happen but it is rare. We are on the roof to cut holes and ventillate so it will be easier for the rescue team to search for any trapped

Answer 5

i think that the most common way for anyone to die in a fire, including firefighters, is smoke inhalation. they could probalby get lost in the building too. if the roof collapses, they could die just as easily if they were underneath the roof as on top of it.

Answer 6

I may be wrong but they don't get on the roof. It collapses because the fire destroyed the foundation holding the roof up.

Answer 7

I don't think firemen knowingly get on a roof expecting it to burn down. It's part of the job, just like a police officer the works in a bad part of town.

Answer 8

well what usualy happens is the roof collapses on them.when their in the building,or a wall. there is no way to tell how weak a roof or wall is when its on fire,their main concern is saving lives.

Answer 9

you don't have to be on the roof to die when the roof collapses!

you could be trying to rescue the people trapped inside when the roof collapses on you!

Answer 10

Firefighters die in different situations like the one you mentioned, others get trapped somehow and others die from inhaling smoke or being in the heat too long. Some get lung cancer due to all that smoke they inhaled. Goodnight!