The USFA this week released its provisional 2010 firefighter-fatalities report. There were 85 on-duty firefighter fatalities in the U.S. as a result of incidents that occurred in 2010, a 6% decrease from the 90 fatalities reported for 2009. Illinois experienced the highest number of fatalities with nine on-duty deaths, followed by New York (8), Ohio (8), Pennsylvania (7) and Kansas (5), according to the USFA.

"When evaluating the trend in on-duty firefighter fatalities over more than three decades, the past two years have seemed to reflect a possible change in the firefighting culture of the U.S. where 'Everyone Goes Home,' including all firefighters," acting U.S. Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines said in a statement. "Working closely with our partners, USFA will continue every effort to be sure that when it comes to firefighter health and safety this downward trend in on-duty firefighter deaths continues."

Heart attacks and strokes took the lives of 51 firefighters (60%) in 2010, a 2% increase compared to 2009. Nine on-duty firefighters died in association with wildland fires, about half the number who died in association with wildland fires in 2009.

The 2010 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 onduty during 2010, according to the USFA. The final number of firefighter fatalities will be reported in USFA's annual firefighter fatality report, expected to be available in July 2011.