This research was conducted to address the problem of the number of structural fires in the United States having plateaued since the mid-2000s, while the death rate of structural firefighters has increased. The purpose of the research was to determine if certain demographic factor and personality type firefighters are prone to taking excessive fireground risk. While no Collinsville firefighters have died on duty, conditions which lead to the increased death rate presumably impact all firefighters. Descriptive research was used with a review of literature on risk taking behaviors and attitudes of firefighters and Type T personality traits. An 18-question online survey of firefighters was conducted to determine attitudes toward risk taking and if the respondent had Type T traits. There were 512 surveys completed.Research questions were: (a) Does age, experience and sex impact risk taking behaviors and attitudes of firefighters; (b) Does rank and experience in assuming incident command impact risk taking behaviors and attitudes of firefighters; (c) Is there a difference found in risk taking behaviors and attitudes between volunteer and career firefighters; (d) If a fire department has policies which require emergency scene risk gain analysis, is there a change in firefighter attitudes about risk acceptance; and (e) How do Type T personality traits impact risk taking behaviors and attitudes of firefighters? Survey results found older age groups and those with significant experience as incident commander were somewhat less likely to accept higher risk. Those from departments with risk/gain analysis policies were also somewhat less likely to take risk to save property.Those with Type T traits were inclined to accept higher risk at emergency scenes. Recommendations included promoting adoption of risk/gain analysis policies, increasing awareness of Type T personality trait liabilities and making greater effort nationwide to develop a fire service culture of safety.