"The updated Firefighter Autopsy Protocol manual is intended to advance the analysis and understanding of the causes of firefighter deaths and contribute to the future development of improved health and safety standards, operational procedures, and technology for our nation's firefighters," said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade. "With the continued development of our understanding to the causes of firefighter fatalities, we can all work toward preventing them in the future."
Each year an average of one hundred firefighters lose their lives. This protocol provides specific sections dealing with general background related to the conducting of autopsies as well as additional information where current autopsy practices may be supplemented to ascertain causes and mechanisms of firefighter fatalities. It includes discussion on the examination of personal protective clothing as well as toxicological evaluations. It is recommended that autopsies be performed for all firefighter fatalities where a line-of-duty death has occurred.
To download the Firefighter Autopsy Protocol and for further information about this project, please visit the USFA Web site at www.usfa.dhs.gov/fireservice/research/safety/
