Line of duty death

A line of duty death (LODD) is a death in the fire service while on duty at an emergency or drill. On average, there are more than 100 LODDs in the United States per year. When a fire department loses a member in a LODD, it will commonly fly its flag at half-staff, and members will cover their badges with a mourning band. The Fire Department New York has a tradition of announcing deaths with four series of five bells (the four fives, 5-5-5-5).