DCA Division of Fire Safety Releases

"Fire in New Jersey 2010" Publication

Annual Report Provides Fire and Emergency Incident Data in New Jersey

TRENTON, N.J. – New Jersey fire departments responded 438,475 times to fire-related incidents in 2010, according to a new report issued today by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs' (DCA) Division of Fire Safety.

"Fire in New Jersey 2010" is an annual statistical analysis report, which provides fire and emergency incident data for the previous calendar year. This year's report can be accessed at http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dfs/ on the DCA website.

"The Division of Fire Safety has done outstanding work in providing the public with this information, which is vital to helping fire officials and households better understand fire and develop prevention strategies that can reduce fire-related deaths, injuries and property damage," said DCA Commissioner Lori Grifa. "This year, we received data from 94 percent of the state's 731 fire departments and we strongly encourage any departments that have not participated to do so next year. The more data we have, the more effective our fire departments can be in preventing and fighting fires."

Among the other key findings in the 2010 report:

  • 30,841 fires were reported.
  • 80 percent of all reported structure fires involved residential properties, 59 percent of those being 1 or 2 family dwellings.
  • 79 percent of all civilian fire fatalities occurred in residential properties.
  • 393 civilians were reported injured as a result of fire.
  • 737 firefighters were reported injured.

The 2010 statistical analysis of fire and emergency data reported 2 firefighter and 73 civilian fatalities as a result of fire. Fire department personnel also revived 340 civilians using an automatic external defibrillator (AED), according to data.

"Fire in New Jersey 2010" is a statistical analysis of fire and emergency incidents in New Jersey, which the Division of Fire Safety is required to collect by law. The data collected and used in the formulation of this report comes from fire departments throughout New Jersey that participate in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). 

The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 authorized the National Fire Data Center in the United States Fire Administration to gather and analyze information on the frequency, causes, spread and extinguishment of fires. The data used in the report was provided by fire departments in the state that participate in NFIRS.

"Fire in New Jersey 2010" contains not only the facts about fire incidents in 2010, but vivid color photos of actual fire events and the firefighters who risk their lives to protect New Jersey's citizens and property.

The Division of Fire Safety serves as the central fire service agency in the State. The Division is responsible for the development and enforcement of the State Uniform Fire Code, as well as for implementing public education and firefighter training programs.

For more information, log on to http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/dfs/ on the DCA website.

 

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