This report examines fire and alcohol studies performed by medical scientists, fire investigators, and social theorists. The physiological effects of long and short-term alcohol use are described. Alcohol's effect on behavior and its role in unintentional injuries is examined. The demographics of alcohol use and abuse as well as societal factors influencing alcohol use are noted. Caretakers who are under the influence of alcohol are also studied in regards to how their impairment may affect a dependent individual. The demographics of fire and fire fatalities are described. The leading causes of fire fatalities are also discussed, specifically how and to what extent they are affected by alcohol.

Over an 11-year period from 1990 to 2000, more than 1 million firefighters have been injured, and 1,068 have lost their lives. This report focuses on the fatalities suffered by firefighters and other officials engaged in the suppression of fires over this 11-year span. The bulk of this report is in chronological order by the date of the incident that caused the death, and it reflects the individual's name, affiliation, and department. Summaries of the incidents themselves were unavailable for the years 1990-1993, but they are included for the next 7 years.

This analysis sought to identify trends in mortality and examine relationships among data elements. To this end, data were collected on firefighter fatalities between 1990 and 2000. (For further information, see the "Methodology" section or the Appendix.) Using this analysis, better targeted prevention strategies can be developed in keeping with the USFA's goal to reduce firefighter deaths 25 percent by 2005. In contrast to the annual USFA firefighter fatality reports, this analysis allowed for comparisons over time to determine any changes in firefighter mortality, with a depth of scrutiny not present in earlier analyses.