FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, August 24, 2016

 

Nearly 80 percent of All Structure Fires Involved Residential Properties

Trenton, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Division of Fire Safety recently released a statistical analysis of fire and emergency incidents that occurred in New Jersey in 2015. The data collected and used in the formulation of this report is submitted from fire departments throughout New Jersey that participate in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). Fire service personnel enter incident data on a monthly basis and submit their data to the Division of Fire Safety, which processes the data into the State NFIRS database, which is then forwarded to the Federal NFIRS database.

The report states that 27,409 fires occurred last year; nearly 80 percent involved residential properties; 56 percent occurred in one- or two-family dwellings. In addition, 648 firefighters and 260 civilians were injured as a result of last year’s fires. The year was marked by the loss of five firefighters in the line of duty, while 77 civilians perished in single and multifamily house fires. However, 581 victims were revived on scene by first responders who used automatic external defibrillators. Without the life-saving device, the total number of victims would have been far worse.

“While the numbers demonstrate a small decrease in fires, our goal is to exponentially improve our fire safety throughout the state,” said William Kramer, Jr. Acting Director and New Jersey State Fire Marshal.  “We continue to strive to reduce the toll fire takes on our state. The fight must begin with creating innovate public awareness programs on how to avoid the deadly consequences of fire.”

As part of the “Fire in New Jersey 2015” report, officials have provided a “Fire Clock” that represents the timeline of fire incidents.

FIRE IN NEW JERSEY 2015 FIRE CLOCK

  • One fire occurred every 19 minutes 10 seconds
  • Fire departments responded every 14 minutes 32 seconds
  • One structure fire occurred every 33 minutes 52 seconds
  • One vehicle fire occurred every 2 hours 42 minutes

The full report is available on the division of Fire Safety website.
  http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dfs/pdf/fire_in_nj_2015.pdf

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 engaging the public on community risk reduction strategies, assisting in fire department preparedness and conducting firefighter training programs.

 

CONTACT:
Tammori Petty,
or Emike Omogbai
(609) 292-6055