Eighty-one firefighters died in the line of duty on 2011, according to statistics released today by the USFA. This represents an almost 7% decrease from the 87 fatalities reported for 2010.

The 81 fatalities occurred in 33 states, one U.S. territory, and one overseas U.S. military facility. Texas experienced the highest number of fatalities with seven. North Carolina experienced six firefighter deaths and was the only other state with five or more firefighter fatalities.

Heart attacks were responsible for the deaths of 48 firefighters (59%) in 2011, nearly the same proportion of firefighter deaths from heart attack or stroke (60%) in 2010. Ten on-duty firefighters died in association with wildland fires, the lowest number of annual firefighter deaths associated with wildland fires since 1996. Fifty-four percent of all firefighter fatalities occurred while performing emergency duties. Only three firefighters were killed in vehicle collisions.

These firefighter fatality statistics are provisional and may change as the USFA contacts state fire marshals to verify the names of firefighters reported to have died on duty during 2011. The final number of firefighter fatalities will be reported in USFA's annual firefighter fatality report, expected to be available by July 2012.