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Home Fire Prevention Week: The Staggering Cost ...

Fire Prevention Week: The Staggering Cost Of Fires

fire prevention week

In 2009, there were (nationwide) 377,000 housefires that killed 2,590 and injured another 13,050 people. The direct dollar loss in these fires came to $7.8 billion, let alone the devastation caused to families and individuals.

Considering all fires across America in 2009,
  • There were 3,010 civilians that lost their lives as the result of fire.
  • There were 17,050 civilian injuries that occurred as the result of fire.
  • There were 90 firefighters killed while on duty.
  • Fire killed more Americans than all natural disasters combined.
  • 86 percent of all civilian fire deaths occurred in residences.
  • There were an estimated 1.3 million fires in 2009.
  • Direct property loss due to fires was estimated at $12.5 billion.
  • An estimated 26,500 intentionally set structure fires resulted in 170 civilian deaths.

Here in Michigan, we have a fire death rate of 15.4 people per million, much higher than the national average of 13.2.

Across the nation, a fire deparment responds to a fire every 22.0 seconds.

86% of all fire departments are volunteer (or mostly volunteer) and protect 39% of our population. Our fire department here in Troy is mostly volunteer, even though we are a pretty good-sized city.

Across the nation, there are about 68,200 pumpers, 6,725 aerial apparatus, and 75,300 other suppression vehicles.

Fortunately, most of us will not have to experience the emotional and financial devestation of a fire. Unfortunately, most of us never develop a fire plan, check to make sure smoke detectors are working, or do a simple fire drill with the family on occasion. Developing and executing a fire plan is not something to do on the fly. As we can see by the stats, fires do happen. A lot. So let's spend a little time preparing for the worst, so we can live our best.


(All stats from The U.S. Fire Administration)

Posted Sunday Oct 03