FIRE FATALITY 2016 REPORT HI T

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1 06 REPORT FIRE FATALITY HI T

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE PROTECTION 06 YEAR IN REVIEW 7. SNAPSHOT OF FIRE DEATHS IN WASHINGTON STATE 8 06 AREA OF FIRE ORIGIN CAUSE OF IGNITION 9. RISK BY AGE AND GENDER MULTIPLE DEATH INCIDENTS 0. FIRE PROTECTION DEVICE PERFORMANCE FIRE DEATHS BY COUNTY SINCE FIRE DEATHS BY MONTH

JAY INSLEE JOHN R. BATISTE STATE OF WASHINGTON WASHINGTON STATE PATROL General Administration Building PO Box 6 Olympia, WA 980-6 (60) 96-900 www.wsp.wa.

reported to the State Fire Marshal s Office by fire and law enforcement agencies in our state.

5 JAY INSLEE JOHN R. BATISTE STATE OF WASHINGTON WASHINGTON STATE PATROL General Administration Building PO Box 6 Olympia, WA (60) April, 07 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Partners in Fire Safety State Fire Marshal Charles Duffy 06 Fire Fatality Report The following 06 Fire Fatality Report is a summary of the fire fatality incidents reported to the State Fire Marshal s Office by fire and law enforcement agencies in our state. The information contained in this annual report details the following: There were fire related deaths reported in 06. The number of fire related deaths increased slightly; up.8 percent from 0. Eighty-three percent of all fire related deaths occurred in residential occupancies. When smoke alarms were present, they were operational only 8 percent of the time. Overall, adults age 0 or older face the greatest relative risk of dying in a fire. Children under the age of 0 accounted for percent of all fire related deaths. I would like to extend special thanks to the many agencies in our state, who work extremely hard to manage, track, and report these incidents to our office in a timely manner. The information outlined in this report provides awareness on the life-saving value and need for working fire protection devices. Sincerely, State Fire Marshal Charles M. Duffy Fire Protection Bureau

7 06 YEAR IN REVIEW DATA SOURCES The fire fatality data used for this report was received from fire and law enforcement agencies throughout Washington State and collected into a centralized database for analysis and report development in accordance with Revised Code of Washington The primary purpose of this annual report is to help raise awareness about the danger and frequency of fire fatalities that occur in Washington State.

8 SNAPSHOT OF FIRE DEATHS IN WASHINGTON STATE According to State Fire Marshal records, a total of 6 deaths in Washington State have resulted from fire over the past 0 years. In 06 alone, fire and law enforcement agencies reported a total of people died as a result of injuries sustained from deadly fires; resulting in a.8 percent increase over the previous year. For the second year in a row, the fire death rate increased slightly, reaching 7.7 people per million residents shown in Figure. Despite the rate increase, the latest statistics from the United States Fire Administration (0 figures) indicate that our state remains well below the national fire death rate of 0.7 per million residents. Washington ranked the 0th lowest fire death rate in the country an important prevention success for our state. Table. 06 Fire Death Trends Fire Deaths Number of Fatal Fires 7 Fatalities per Fatal Fire. Average Age of Victim Male 60% Female 0% % Over Age 0 7% Annual Fire Deaths Firgure. Fire Deaths in Washington State by Year and Rate Per Million Number of Fatalities National Fire Death Rate WA State Fire Death Rate 0 0 Fire Death Rate (Per Million Residents) During 06, reports show a higher number of fire deaths occurred during the winter months. January was the deadliest month of 06 with deaths ( percent). November was the only month with zero fatalities. As shown in Figure, King, Pierce, and Spokane counties each reported or more deaths; the highest in the state. Reported Deaths 0 0 Figure. 06 Fire Deaths by Month Reported Deaths Figure. 06 Fire Deaths Reported by County Annual population figures are determined by the Washington State Office of Financial Management for all cities and towns in the state on April of each year.

06 AREA OF FIRE ORIGIN State fire death statistics indicate that 96 percent of all structure involved fire deaths occur in places where people live or sleep.

Single-family dwellings alone accounted for 7 percent of reported structure fire casualties. Multi-family dwellings accounted for percent of all structure fire casualties. Table.

Structures 8 00% 88% Motor Vehicle 7% Outdoor % Recreational Vehicle % Total Fire Deaths 00% Figure.

In the cases of undetermined fires, the exact fire causes could not be clearly identified by the fire investigator.

9 06 AREA OF FIRE ORIGIN State fire death statistics indicate that 96 percent of all structure involved fire deaths occur in places where people live or sleep. In 06, fires deaths in residential properties continued to be a significant problem in terms of impact on lives and property. Single-family dwellings alone accounted for 7 percent of reported structure fire casualties. Multi-family dwellings accounted for percent of all structure fire casualties. Table. Fire Deaths By Occupancy Type Occupancy Type Total % of % of Structure Total Single Family Dwellings 7% 6% Multi-Family Dwellings % 0% Business % % Hotel/Motel % % Utility % % Total Deaths in Structures 8 00% 88% Motor Vehicle 7% Outdoor % Recreational Vehicle % Total Fire Deaths 00% Figure. Single Family 6% Total Fire Deaths RV % Multi- Family 0% Motor Vehicle 7% Outdoor % Hotel/ Motel Utility % % Business % CAUSE OF FIRE IGNITION Each year, many factors contribute to the number of fire deaths in Washington State. In 06, the top three leading known causes were attributed to careless smoking, electrical-related, and intentionally set fires, which accounted for percent of the total fire deaths in 06. In the cases of undetermined fires, the exact fire causes could not be clearly identified by the fire investigator. Careless Smoking 6 Deaths ( percent) High risk behaviors, such as smoking in sleeping or lounging areas, smoking while using medical oxygen, and smoking while under the influence of mind altering drugs or alcohol. Electrical Related 6 Deaths ( percent) Electrical related fires were caused by misuse or poor maintenance of electrical equipment, improperly installed wiring, overloaded circuits, or the use of extension cords in place of permanent wiring. Intentionally Set 6 Deaths ( percent) Intentionally set fires were either caused by persons committing suicide or the intentional acts of another person. In some cases, mental impairments or intoxication/drug use were contributing risk factors. Table. Fire Deaths by Cause and Time of Day Ignition Category Total Careless Smoking 0 6 Electrical Related 0 6 Intentionally Set 6 Home Heating 0 0 Cooking 0 0 Open Flame Vehicular Collision Undetermined 6 7 TOTAL

10 RISK BY AGE AND GENDER In 06, statistics showed that older and younger generations were the most vulnerable to fire death. Of the fire fatality victims, people age 0 or older accounted for 7 percent (0) of Washington s reported fire deaths this category faced the greatest relative risk of dying in a fire. Young children age 0 and under made up percent (8) of reported fire deaths. Like age, gender also plays a role in the risk of death. Over the past 0 years, state fire fatality figures indicate that more men die in fires than women. Fire fatality reports in 06 indicated that 60 percent of fire death victims were male. Figure. 06 Fire Deaths by Age and Gender of Victim 0 & Under Female Male & Older MULTIPLE DEATH INCIDENTS In 06, seven multiple-death fires resulted in a total of deaths. Deaths in residential properties alone accounted for 6 of the 7, or 88 percent of all multiple-fatality fires. These fires most often occurred between a.m. and 6 a.m. (7 percent); the leading human factor contributing to ignition was being asleep ( percent). Table Multiple Death Incidents Date City/Town Structure Cause Sex Age //6 Port Orchard Manufactured Undetermined Heat Source F 6 //6 Port Orchard Manufactured Undetermined Heat Source M 70 //6 Centralia Single Family Undetermined Heat Source M 7 //6 Centralia Single Family Undetermined Heat Source M 0 //6 Centralia Single Family Undetermined Heat Source M 9/7/6 Spokane Apartment Undetermined Heat Source M 7 9/7/6 Spokane Apartment Undetermined Heat Source F 6 0//6 Bellevue Condominium Undetermined Heat Source M 9 0//6 Bellevue Condominium Undetermined Heat Source M 8 /9/6 Colville Single Family Undetermined Heat Source F /9/6 Colville Single Family Undetermined Heat Source M 7 //6 Camano Island Motor Vehicle Vehicular Collision Passenger F < //6 Camano Island Motor Vehicle Vehicular Collision Passenger F /8/6 Oak Harbor Single Family Under Investigation M /8/6 Oak Harbor Single Family Under Investigation F 0

11 FIRE PROTECTION DEVICE PERFORMANCE Structural fire deaths in Washington State represented 87 percent of total fire deaths in 06. In 7 percent of structural fire deaths, smoke alarms were reported missing or inoperable. In percent of structural fire deaths, it was not possible to determine whether a smoke alarm was present or operational. Smoke alarms are designed to detect smoke and provide early notification to building occupants. Fire sprinklers provide critical fire suppression and occupant protection, reducing the risk of dying in a home fire by 80 percent. Properly installed and maintained fire protection devices such as smoke alarms and fire sprinklers, play a key role in reducing the loss of life in fires. According to the United States Fire Administration, three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms. The tables and figures listed below illustrate the performance of fire protection devices reported for the 8 structure fire fatalities that occurred during 06. Table. Fire Deaths And Smoke Alarm Performance in Structure Fires vs. Total Fire Deaths Circumstance Deaths % of Structure % of Total Fires Deaths Fire Deaths Working Smoke Alarms Present 0 % 8% No Smoke Alarms Present 8 7% % Inoperable Smoke Alarms Present 0% 9% Unknown if Alarms Present or Operational 6 % 9% Not a Factor (Suicide, Explosion, Etc.) 9 9% 6% Total Deaths in Structures 8 00% 87% Other Fire Deaths (Including motor vehicles, outdoor, etc.) 7 % Total Fire Deaths 00% Figure 6. Figure 7. Presence of Smoke Alarm Operation of Smoke Alarm Unknown 6, % Not Present 8, 7% Present, % Unknown, % Inoperable, % Operational 0, % THIRTEEN DEATHS OCCURRED IN HOMES WITH WORKING SMOKE ALARMS: WHY DIDN T THEY GET OUT? Human factors such as age, mobility, being asleep, intoxication/drug use, or mental impairment may contribute to an individual s ability to escape a deadly fire. Age or mobility was a factor Asleep Intoxication/Drug Use Smoking with oxygen tank nearby... Blocked exits Homicide FINDINGS FOR SPRINKLERS Three fire deaths occurred in rooms equipped with fire sprinkler systems. Smoking while on oxygen and unsafe cooking were contributing factors. The activated sprinkler head contained the fire damage to the room of origin. Source: National Fire Protection Association figures.

FIRE DEATHS BY COUNTY SINCE 007 6 TOTAL Over the past 0 years, a total of 6 people have died as a result of injuries sustained from deadly fires.

12 FIRE DEATHS BY COUNTY SINCE TOTAL Over the past 0 years, a total of 6 people have died as a result of injuries sustained from deadly fires. Geographic distribution of these fire deaths by county can be seen in Figure 8. Metropolitan counties saw approximately 7 percent of all reported fire deaths these are typically counties with populations of over 00,000 reporting the highest number of fire deaths. Seven Washington counties have reported zero fire deaths since 007: Asotin, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, San Juan, Wahkiakum, and Whitman. Figure 8. Total Reported Fire Deaths by County from

13 0 06 FIRE DEATHS BY MONTH Based on a five year average, approximately five people die in fires each month in Washington State January 06 was the deadliest month in the past five years with fire deaths reported. November 06 was the only month in the past five years with zero fire deaths reported. Home fire deaths occur more during the winter months than any other season; as people stay indoors where the risk of fire is greater. 0-6 Deaths 0 - Deaths 0 - Deaths 0 - Deaths 06 - Deaths December - 0 September - July - May - March - 6 January - November - September - July - May - March - January - 6 November - 7 September - July - May - March - January - 7 November - 7 September - July - May - March - January - 8 November - 9 September - July - May - March - 7 January

14 HI WASHINGTON STATE T F I R E M A R S H A L S O F F I C E

WASHINGTON STATE PATROL

2015 HI T JAY INSLEE JOHN R. BATISTE STATE OF WASHINGTON WASHINGTON STATE PATROL General Administration Building PO Box 42642 Olympia, WA 98504-2642 (360) 596-3900 www.wsp.wa.gov April 1, 2016 TO: FROM: