Firefighters

Firefighters have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Firefighters spend most of their occupational life saving human beings from burning buildings and putting out fires that threaten all the assets that a person has worked their whole lives for. Over 100 firefighters lost their lives while on duty in 2007. In fact, approximately 100 on-duty U.S. firefighters lost their lives each year between 1996 and 2006. Firefighters have given their lives to save civilians from burning structures for many years and have significantly dropped the number of civilian deaths by fire.

Everyone is aware of the sacrifice that hundreds of firefighters made on September 11, 2001 when our nation experienced the worst terrorist attack in our history. We lost over 300 firefighters in the World Trade Center in New York City on 9/11. This number was more than three times the amount of firefighters lost annually between 1996 and 2006. While 9/11 was one of the most well known catastrophes in American history, there are many additional fires that have cost the lives of numerous firefighters. In our home state of New Jersey, six firefighters have lost their lives between 1992 and 2001. Our neighbor, Pennsylvania lost 8 firefighters in that same timeframe. South Carolina lost more firefighters in one day in 2007 during the Charleston Super Sofa fire. This fire was the worst loss of firefighter life since 9/11, taking the lives of 9 firefighters.

Firefighters can either be volunteers or paid employees. In 2006, there were almost 300,000 paid firefighters. The number of volunteer firefighters is substantially larger than that. Over 50% of the fire stations in this country are made up of volunteer firefighters. In our state of New Jersey, there are approximately 5,000 on-duty firefighters. This is a relatively small number compared to our neighbor of New York which has approximately 11,000 firefighters.

One would think that a firefighter's job is dangerous enough however there is another hazard that has unfortunately affected numerous firefighters. Many firefighters have also been exposed to asbestos, the contaminant causing mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other lung diseases. When a firefighter enters a burning building or structure, it is possible that asbestos can be present in burning building materials such as ceiling tiles, insulation, and drywall. Many buildings built before the 1980's were constructed with asbestos containing building materials that could create a major hazard to firefighters. As the building materials are burned, asbestos fibers can be released into the air which can unknowingly be inhaled by the firefighter. The asbestos fibers can also become trapped in the firefighter's clothing which could then easily be transported to other firefighters, family, or friends.

Even when the fire is extinguished, the threat of asbestos exposure to firefighters could still exist. Asbestos fibers and dust can still be present after the fire is out and be inhaled by firefighters. It is extremely important for firefighters to recognize the potential exposure to asbestos and use all safety precautions to minimize the possibility of exposure.

A firefighter may also become exposed to asbestos in the comfort of their own firehouse. As stated earlier, asbestos was used in many buildings before the 1980's and that does include firehouses. Firefighters need to be aware that asbestos can be in their own firehouses as well and practice all safety precautions if any building material that may contain asbestos is exposed. If you or a loved one is a firefighter that may have been exposed to asbestos, please seek immediate medical attention and then speak to an experienced asbestos attorney to understand your legal rights.