NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program – Moving Forward
Rick Lago
Thursday, June 11, 2026
10:45 AM – 12:15 PM
This presentation provides an overview of the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP) at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Focusing on its trauma investigations, this information helps attendees learn how to use FFFIPP investigation reports and complementary resources to improve safety in their departments. The presentation starts by reviewing the program’s line-of-duty death (LODD) and serious injury investigation process from incident notification to publication of the final report. The presenter also reviews recent NIOSH investigations involving trauma-related fatalities or serious injury. This review includes examining recent contributing factors including personnel professional development, equipment selection and application, interactions with natural and human-made environments, development and implementation of department policies and procedures, and leadership initiatives. Prevention actions from recent investigations are reviewed to discuss possible ways to address common contributing factors to reduce the likelihood of firefighter injuries and LODDs. The sacrifices of the fallen can provide valuable lessons; this presentation aims to use those lessons to improve safety and help prevent future tragedies.
Rick Lago
Louis (Rick) Lago is an investigator with the NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program. He spent 38 years in the Baltimore City Fire Department, retiring as a Senior Battalion Chief and Acting Deputy Chief. His diverse career involved supervising engine and truck companies along with serving as an officer on the rescue. His other assignments included serving in special operations, trained in all disciplines, and was assigned as the Rescue Dive Team Commander and Fire Academy Instructor. He was the lead investigator on several serious injury investigations and served as Chairman of the Board of Inquiry into a triple line-of-duty death. He has an associate’s degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University.
