Fire fighters are more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident than during the course of firefighting operations. To reduce the number of deaths and injuries, it is important to promote apparatus safety in the fire service.
In 2015, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimated there were 16,000 collisions involving fire department emergency vehicles responding to or returning from incidents – that’s a record number since the agency started collecting this type of data.
Women may make up a small percentage of active fire fighters, but they face the same risks of death and injury from apparatus operations. See Emerging Health and Safety Issues Among Women in the Fire Service (FEMA, 2019).
In an effort to promote apparatus safety and reduce these preventable deaths and injuries, the IAFF and the International Association of Women in Fire & Emergency Services (iWomen) have developed a joint campaign to generate awareness, improve emergency vehicle safety and educate members on the factors that contribute to accidents involving apparatus.
As part of the campaign, the IAFF has also prepared a fact sheet on emergency vehicle safety and infographics (below) for affiliates to share to spread this important safety message.
Please share these safety graphics (right click if using a mouse, hold down to save to camera library on a smartphone) to raise awareness about vehicle operation safety using the hashtag: “#IAFFSafetyTips.”
