The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that 968 fire fighters died between 1989 and 1998 [NFPA 1999].

Nearly half of these deaths (443) occurred on the fireground.

Structural collapse caused 56 (18%) of the 316 fire fighter deaths at structure fires.

A structural collapse often results in multiple fire fighter fatalities. For example, during this time period, 43 fire fighters were fatally injured by collapsing materials at 11 fires.

Structural collapse of any part of a building (floors, walls, ceilings, roofs, or structural members) during fire fighting is a leading cause of death among fire fighters.

The potential for structural collapse is one of the most difficult factors to predict during initial size-up and ongoing fire fighting.

Structural collapse usually occurs without warning.
For example, the floor of a burning structure may suddenly collapse, spilling fire fighters into a burning inferno.

Findings – Between the years 1994 and 2002;
There were 63 deaths caused by structural collapse in a total of 47 fires.

Of these deaths, over two-thirds occurred within the first six months of the year and over one-half occurred in the first three months.

Over 42 % of deaths with known incident times occurred in the first eight hours of the day (12:00 A.M. – 7:59 A.M.).

Victims of structural collapse were part of several age groups, experience levels, and ranks and were involved in several activities

Over 44 % of deaths involved career firefighters with six or more years of experience.

A majority of the victims (over 65 %) were involved in fire attack or advancing hose

The nature of firefighter deaths in collapsed structures is categorized as asphyxiation, burns, internal trauma, and other causes.

Over 42 % of fatalities (27 deaths) were by asphyxiation