Firefighter medical assessment

The Vision Standards for becoming a Firefighter are as follows:

• Vision must be binocular, with full visual fields.
• Distance vision:
  • Visual acuity should be at least 6/9 binocularly, and a minimum of 6/12 in the worst eye, this can be wearing visual aids.
  • If visual aids are required then the minimum uncorrected vision should be 6/18 in the better eye and 6/24 in the worse eye.
• Near vision:
  • be able to read N6 at 30cm unaided with both eyes open (applicants aged 25 years or under) or be able to read N12 at 30cm unaided with both eyes open (applicants aged 26 and over).
• Eye disease:
  • Have no history of night blindness or any other ocular disease that is likely to progress and result in future failure of the visual standards for serving firefighters.
  • Individuals with keratoconus are unlikely to be fit for firefighting duties
  • Compound astigmatism assess for capability, history of headaches and eyestrain
• Have an appropriate level of colour perception
• Have not undergone refractive surgery in the previous 12 months. Individuals who have had Radial Keratotomy cannot be considered for operational firefighting duties due to the relatively high incidence of refractive instability.
• Individuals who have undergone the following types of refractive surgery can be considered 12 months after surgery:
  • Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
  • Laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK)
  • Laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK)
• Soft contact lenses can be worn.
• Rigid (hard) lenses are not considered safe as debris can become trapped beneath these which can cause visual discomfort and disability.

Assessment after Refractive Surgery – an examination to consider the suitability of a refractive surgery patient for operational firefighting should include:

• A slit lamp examination to confirm that the eye has returned to normal and that there is no significant loss of corneal transparency over the pupil area
• Refraction, topographic examination and pachymetry to screen for keratectasia.
• Candidates should have their visual performance assessed using a technique sensitive to the presence of scattered light and aberrations.

Firefighters must not only communicate over the radio, but they must respond to shouted warnings, audible alarms and cries for help – all above the environmental noise at incidents. Therefore, they need to have a minimum hearing level to be considered 'fit for role', which would normally be H2 (military standards). Hearing aids are allowed on the fire ground, however, they must meet certain standards.

At your medical you will have a hearing test known as the Pure Tone Assessment (PTA), from this a standard calculation is performed and if H1 or H2 is achieved then no further assessment is required however, if H3 is achieved, the OH doctor will assess the results and advise accordingly. If the result (in either ear) is H4 or H5, then you are unlikely to be able to continue further through the recruitment process, however, the OH doctor will discuss the results with you, in case any further advice is required. The PTA is carried out to get an understanding of your hearing ability before employment and is conducted without any form of hearing aid. We do not routinely recommend getting a hearing aid prior to your medical, as, unfortunately, the type required is expensive and recruits can fail selection at any point of the process, but if it is found at the medical that one MAY help, and you pass all other aspects of the selection process, then your starting date will be delayed. For further advice contact OH.

Asthma does not necessarily prevent you from becoming a firefighter. However, firefighters are exposed to smoke and other toxicants as part of their job, which are irritating to the lungs / upper respiratory tract and can exacerbate the symptoms of wheezing in firefighters with asthma. Your condition will be assessed at the medical stage, after which a decision will be made as to your suitability for the role of firefighter. This will include:

• Careful history that focuses on current symptoms and treatment requirements,
• Potential triggers including exercise and irritant exposures
• The frequency and history of exacerbations

Mental health issues can affect anyone, and it is estimated that 1 in 6 people in the past week will have experienced a common mental health problem. Most individuals can manage these episodes with self-help strategies, counselling support or medication (in some cases) and can continue to cope well in their everyday activities. Having experienced such issues will not prevent you from applying to become a firefighter and all cases will be discussed confidentially with you during your medical assessment. If you have recently begun to have symptoms or started treatment, it could be that information will be required from your GP or Specialist to help during this assessment. Also, if you have a chronic mental health condition which requires ongoing treatment or input from a GP or specialist, we are likely to need medical reports to be able to offer an opinion on your fitness for firefighting. If you are aware that any of the above could apply to you, please contact us to discuss this further and we will be able to offer advice on any next steps to assist in the assessment process.

We will need a report from your Specialist Consultant/GP detailing the following information to allow assessment of suitability and so that an individual risk assessment can be undertaken:

• Category of Diabetes (Type 1 or 2)
• Evidence of stability of control
• Evidence of blood sugar levels (HbA1c) over a recent 12-month period

Our method of assessment is by using a standardised treadmill test and you have to reach a set standard. The level of fitness is maintained throughout a firefighter’s career, which is assessed annually.

Prior to engaging in physical activities as part of the firefighter application process, we will take blood pressure readings to ensure that it is safe for someone to do so. If the readings on the day indicate Stage 2 hypertension (see below), we will not allow an individual to undertake the physical assessments and suggest that they discuss the results with their GP.

Whilst we realise that it is possible for people to have some fluctuations in their blood pressure readings dependent on many factors, we will not have the opportunity to schedule further readings during the application process. Therefore, if you are aware that you do have, or previously had high blood pressure, you should take steps to ensure that this is professionally managed before attending for physical assessments.