According to NIOSH, what percentage of firefighter fatalities occur while responding to or returning from a call?

• A. 5-7%
• B. 8-10%
• C. 11-13%
• D. 15-20%

Answer: (B)

Focusing on when firefighters are most at risk helps connect safety practices to real-world data. NIOSH reports that about eight to ten percent of firefighter fatalities occur while responding to or returning from a call. This shows that a meaningful portion of danger isn’t at the fire scene itself but during travel, so vehicle safety becomes a critical part of overall protection. Emphasis on seat belt use, safe driving speeds, defensive driving, and clear protocols for en route decision-making directly addresses this risk. The other ranges—lower than eight percent or higher than ten percent—don’t align as closely with the observed totals, making eight to ten percent the best fit.