FIRE FATALITIES: ONE COUNTY'S PERSPECTIVE

摘要

Unlike most developed nations, the united States has relied on technology and government code enforcement instead of social pressure to curb the problems related to fire and fire fatalities. Has this method worked? In the past, research such as the America Burning Congressional study revealed that the United States leads the list of developed nations in fire fatalities. Based on these findings, proactive government-funded fire prevention programs have been incorporated all over America. Would a decrease in fatal fires be an indication of success? Or, more simply put, has this prevention and technological effort paid off? For the past 30 years, the Suffolk County (NY) Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services has been investigating fatal fires and collecting related data (see "Type of Data"). During that time, the County Fire Marshal's Office has noted some interesting trends and common factors involving fatal fires.