
FACTS
- Factors such as the work being performed, workplace setup, the geographical area the business is located in, etc. will impact what kind of emergencies could occur.
- Physical stress and overexertion, falls, being struck or making contact with objects, and exposure to fire products are the primary causes of injury during an emergency.
- Firefighters experience a much higher risk of injury on the fireground than other emergency incidents or during non-emergency duty. The highest number of injuries from all causes occurs during fire attack and search and rescue.
- Most injuries to police are traumatic injuries, and cuts and bruises resulting from vehicle accidents, falls, assaults, and physical stress. Nine out of ten line-of-duty deaths are due to vehicle accidents or assaults. Police are most often injured in falls, assaults, vehicle-related crashes, and through stress and overexertion.
- EMT workers are most at risk of sprains and strains, and back injuries represent a higher proportion of injuries for emergency medical services personnel than they do for other responders. Emergency medical services personnel also have a high risk of infectious disease exposure, mostly through percutaneous injuries such as needlesticks.
STATS
- According to a recent report released by the CDC, nearly 1 in 5 Americans make a trip to the emergency room each year.
- Canadians are among the most frequent users of emergency departments in the world, with an average of 17 million visits a year.
- In 2017, 59,985 weather – related events resulted in 592 deaths and 4,270 injuries. Flash floods, tropical storms and heat waves resulted in the most deaths in 2017.
- Nearby 60% of American adults have not practiced what to do in a disaster by participating in a disaster drill or preparedness exercises at work, school, or home.
- Only 39% percent of respondents have developed an emergency plan and discussed it with their household despite the fact that 80% of people surveyed live in places that have been hit with weather related disaster.