Abstract: Historically, Tennessee's fire mortality rate for civilians has been among the highest in the nation. During 2002-2010, the time period for this study, the national fire mortality rate declined, but the rate in Tennessee increased. The purpose of this study is to provide the analytical foundation for an informed plan of action to help reduce and prevent fatalities that occur in residential structures which is the type of incident that accounts for about three-fourths of all civilian fire deaths in the state.