Number of Residential Fire Fatalities Also Sets Record

Fire Chief Sedgwick discusses the Prince Georges County initiatives in reducing residential fire fatalities as State Fire Marshall Bill Barnard looks on during Press Conference in Largo, MD. Photo By: Mark E. Brady

 Largo, MD (January 31, 2007)  --  During 2006, the State of Maryland has achieved the lowest number of fire deaths since statewide data collection began in 1975.  Sixty (60) persons were killed during calendar year 2006, breaking the record set in 1996 when sixty-two Marylanders died from fire.  The 2006 total also represents an 18 percent drop from the seventy-three fire deaths in 2005 and a dramatic 32 percent drop from the 88 fire deaths during 2004.  Prince George’s County showed a 70 percent reduction in residential fire fatalities during the same period having reduced fatalities from 10 in 2005 to 3 in 2006.

 Although residential occupancies continue to be the most likely place a fatal fire occur, fewer fire fatalities in 2006 occurred in the home than in any previous year.  Forty-three (43) persons died in residential fires which breaks the record low also set in 1996 when 48 persons died in the place we feel most safe – the home.

 Yet another record low was the per capita fire death rate statewide.  During 2006, the per capita fire death rate was 1.1 persons per 100,000 population.  These rates are based on the 2000 Census estimates for Maryland.  The previous per capita low of 1.3 persons during 2003.

 In recent years, the numbers of fire fatalities reported have continued to decline; fire deaths averaged 73 a year from 2002 through 2006.  Fire deaths in the State have remained below 100 each year, except one, for the past 18 years.  During that time, there has been an average of 83 fire deaths a year, while fire fatalities in Maryland averaged 130 a year from 1975 to 1988.

 According to State Fire Marshal William E. Barnard, several factors have helped achieve the record setting results of 2006.  “Maryland’s fire service along with many partners in the public and private sectors have focused on proven fire and life safety strategies such as working smoke alarms, home fire escape plans, and residential fire sprinklers.  Community outreach programs that emphasize personal responsibility for surviving a home fire are showing positive results,” said Fire Marshal Barnard.  While promoting continued success in further reducing fire deaths he added, the task of helping Marylanders prepare themselves to survive a home fire is not a sprint – it is a marathon.  The steps one must take to increase their chance of surviving a home fire are not difficult, but they require diligence.”

 Local initiatives across Maryland now mandate the installation of residential fire sprinklers in every newly constructed single-family home.  Currently, five Maryland counties and numerous municipalities have adopted these requirements.  Additionally, all town homes built in Maryland since 1992 require residential fire sprinklers and to date, no fire fatalities have occurred in any of these protected homes.  Prince George’s County Fire Chief Lawrence H. Sedgwick, Jr. touted the accomplishments and foresight of his jurisdiction to be the first to mandate smoke alarms, sprinkler systems and as of January 1, 2007, carbon monoxide alarms in every new home.

 The Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Department of State Police dedicated to helping protect citizens from fire and explosion through a comprehensive program of education, inspection, investigation, and fire protection engineering.  For more information on fire and life safety, call 1-800-525-3124 or log on to our website at www.firemarshal.state.md.us