A new government report seeks to curb the number of volunteer firefighter deaths by providing information on various programs and strategies.

"Emerging Health and Safety Issues in the Volunteer Fire Service" (.pdf file) was created by the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Volunteer Fire Council. It highlights the various occupational health and safety issues facing the volunteer firefighter community.

For example, 50 percent of all volunteer firefighter deaths are due to heart attacks – 11 percent more than that of career firefighters, according to the report.

"The volunteer fire service has distinct issues related to health and safety that need to be specifically addressed," NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg said in a statement. "We lose too many volunteer firefighters in line-of-duty deaths."

The report recommends implementation of a health, wellness and safety initiative for volunteer firefighters that includes:

• Interventions for lowering cholesterol and blood-pressure levels
• Increasing physical activity
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Benchmarks that include measureable goals and objectives