The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is conducting a comprehensive nationwide Hazardous Substance Training Program for fire fighters, paramedics and other emergency responders employed in 30,400 fire departments across the United States. (National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. Fire Department Profile through 2004, September 2005).
In 2004, 75,840 firefighter injuries occurred in the line of duty, a decrease of 3.7% from the year before. Fire fighter injuries constituted 36,880 or 48.6% of all injuries during fire-ground operations. An estimated 14,250 occurred during other on duty activities, while 13,150 occurred at non-fire emergency incidents (NFPA, U.S. Firefighter Injuries of 2004). In the course of their work, thousands more emergency responders are exposed to toxic materials that potentially increase their long-term risk for certain types of cancer, heart-lung damage, leukemia, and other diseases.