FACTS

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.