Can I Be A Firefighter With Glasses?

Last week I received an email from an aspiring firefighter asking me, “can I be a firefighter with glasses?“

When you take your first physical with the fire service, you will soon become aware of the very high standards that the fire service has set for their personnel. This is clear in everything from strength and agility tested in the CPAT to the different tests you will take during your medical exam.

Eyesight is an important factor here and there are warnings that new applicants may fail to make the cut if their eyesight isn’t good enough. Yet, there are also lots of stories and forum posts online from firefighters that can in their department with terrible eyesight.

So, what is the truth of the matter here, can you become a firefighter with glasses or contact and what measure are in place to help?

Can I be a firefighter with glasses?

Yes, you can be a firefighter with glasses, contacts or colorblindness.  There is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to have a successful career in the fire service as a glasses wearer if you are prepared to make adaptations to your mask or correct your vision appropriately. It all comes down to the amount of vision loss that you have and any other medical conditions.

In this guide, I will cover some of the medical concerns raised in firefighter medical exams that may disqualify you.

From there I will talk about some of the corrective measures that you can implement to help you overcome any problems. I will also take a moment to mention the issue of colorblindness in the fire service.

What are some of the disqualifying factors?

Let’s start with the basic requirements. There are medical conditions categorized as either Category A or Category B in a firefighter medical exam.

Category B conditions are those that can be allowed if they pose no significant risk.

Category A conditions disqualify applicants from the process. When it comes to vision, there are a few Category A issues to be aware of. They are:

• Far visual acuity that is less than 20/40 binocular after correction
• Monochromatic vision that prohibits the use of imaging devices
• Monocular vision that could impact depth perception
• Any other eye condition that would stop candidates from safely performing their role.

But, there will be many people requiring glasses that don’t fall into these categories. Instead, they can complete tasks with the right types of correction to their vision.

Glasses, contacts or surgery?

This leads to some questions over the best route to take if you do have bad eyesight and need this to be corrected. Can you wear glasses as a firefighter in a safe manner? Can you wear contact lenses instead or is it a better idea to opt for corrective surgery?

I want to talk about the latter first because this is the first thought that so many applicants jump to.

There are pros and cons to taking this approach. In the long-term, successful surgery could eliminate the risk of further issues on calls or dealing with less-than-perfect vision again.

However, some departments don’t recommend re-applying until at least a year after surgery. There is also the high cost involved. Is this something you can afford right now?

The next option is to get corrective glasses that correct your vision to the right levels for the department you will be applying to. There is some confusion about the rules on wearing glasses as a firefighter.

The general rule in most departments is that you can wear glasses at the station and on some calls but not if you have to wear your mask.

Some firefighters claim to wear their prescription glasses under a standard mask. This shouldn’t be the case. It leads to safety concerns of the mask not fitting correctly and leaving gaps for the smoke and other contaminants.

There are three options that you can take here if you are reliant on your glasses to see.

The first is to get a special mask made that will fit over your lenses so you can work safely. This investment could make a big difference when on calls.

The second is to get a mask with a shield with the same prescription as your glasses. This way you can see on-scene and not worry about having the frames underneath.

Finally, there is an option to simply not wear glasses at all when attending a structural fire as visibility is so poor anyway. Find a way to work with a mask that is comfortable but also safe for all concerned.

Can I be a firefighter with contact lenses?

Yes, you can be a firefighter and have contact lenses, but this is another area where there is some confusion. Some will tell you that you can’t use contact lenses over safety fears that they won’t hold up to the heat. Others say they have used contact lenses as a firefighter for years with no problems.

My personal opinion on this is if you’re in an environment that is hot enough to melt a contact lense in your eye, through your mask, you’ve got far bigger concerns.

The best approach, whether you have glasses or contact lenses, is to be honest with the department and see what their guidelines say.

Views on glasses and contacts and the best safety precautions may vary between departments. You might find that yours is a little more lenient or a little stricter, so always go with what they say rather than the anecdotal evidence of other firefighters at other departments.

Can I be a firefighter if I’m colorblind?

Yes, absolutely can be a firefighter if you are colorblind.  While it may cause some difficulty, it should not prohibit you from completing your duties professionally and safely, but always consult each departments rules and standards.

Another issue regarding vision that I want to talk about here is colorblindness. There is an assumption that you can’t be a firefighter if you are colorblind because it would have an impact on your abilities and professionalism. This isn’t the case at all.

There are many people with colorblindness that are more than capable of handling the job with ease. It all depends on whether you are completely colorblind or color-deficient.

The latter means that you can distinguish between colors but not to great detail on specific tones. As I mentioned above, the disqualifying condition here is for complete monochromatic vision with no color perception.

It is up to the physicians to administer all appropriate test to determine the level of colorblindness and possible impact on the job.

Those that are deemed eligible to continue may benefit from color-correcting lenses or contacts. However, there are cases where some have continued to work without seeing the true color.

If you want to see a feel-good story about a firefighter with colorblindness. Check out the link below. It shows that a good crew with empathy and communication can go a long way to helping those with disabilities flourish in the service.  Read the article here.

Finally, it’s important to remember that every department will be different.  While I don’t know of a single firefighter who has been disqualified for vision issues some departments may be more strict than others. 

The post Can I Be A Firefighter With Glasses? appeared first on FirefighterNOW.

from FirefighterNOW https://firefighternow.com/firefighter-glasses/

From https://catherinelee4.blogspot.com/2019/11/can-i-be-firefighter-with-glasses.html

source https://catherinelee4.wordpress.com/2019/11/27/can-i-be-a-firefighter-with-glasses/

Can You Be A Firefighter With Asthma?

Asthma is a growing problem in the modern world, but can you be a firefighter with asthma? Declines in air quality and exposure to air pollution have caused cases to rise in younger generations. This means that there are more people that want to apply to be a firefighter that are asthmatic or that have other respiratory illnesses.

There is an assumption by some that this might mean automatic disqualification. But, is this the case if you have your condition pretty well under control? Can’t you still prove to be a reliable, helpful member of your crew even if you have to use an inhaler now and then?

Can You Be A Firefighter with Asthma?

Yes, you can be a firefighter with asthma.  In short, you don’t have to give up your dream of being a firefighter with asthma if your condition is under control and you are generally free from symptoms.

In order to prove this you will have to pass different medical tests that demonstrate your ability to reach a certain level of competency with respiratory tests.  This is to ensure that you will be able to handle the intense strain of firefighting.  

All departments are unique and will have their own standards and expectations.  It’s important to check the rules and regulations of the department you will be applying to.

In this guide, I want to look at this question a little closer. Why might some fire chiefs not want an asthmatic firefighter?

What respiratory conditions can disqualify you from becoming a firefighter and where might they be room for negotiation?

How can you improve your chances of getting hired on the department during the hiring process?

Why Is Asthma Concerning for Firefighters?

The first thing that I need to mention here when it comes to the issue of asthma and firefighting is that there is some misinformation out there on the internet. There are some people in the profession with no personal experience of suffering from asthma and see the issue as a black and white one.

They will see asthma as a disqualifying medical condition because of the breathing issues involved. However, dealing with asthma is not a black and white issue.

For example, some people have their condition under control better than others. That is the biggest deciding factor for any physician clearing candidates with asthma – is the condition under control?  How reliant are you on inhalers and other medication to get through a physical day?

Then there is your history of the condition. Many people have childhood asthma that may see the condition improve in their teens and early adulthood.

It’s not uncommon that an asthmatic child may not suffer from asthma once they graduate as a firefighter in their late teens.

To put things as bluntly as possible, you need to be able to breathe well to be a firefighter.

It is essential that you can because you need to be able to do controlled and calm manner when dealing with fires and other incidents.

There are lots of risks and contaminants in the air on-scene that could cause cancer and damage your airways further if you already have restricted lung function. If you can’t work while wearing your SCBA without becoming a liability, then you might not be able to continue working in the service.

Then there is the fact that you simply need a good lung capacity and fitness level to handle all the physical training and work in your daily duties. You can’t get out of breath and reach for an inhaler when handling heavy equipment that you use daily.

You also can be at risk of breathing issues when climbing ladders or any of the other various strenuous activities you must do. It is all about the health and safety of you, your crew and the civilians on-scene.

What are your triggers? If you have your asthma under control, you should know what triggers you to have an asthma attack. The answer could make a difference to your potential in the fire service.

For example, do you know that smoke is a trigger? If so, the fire service probably isn’t for you. If exercise causes a flare-up then this could also be an issue. But, if it is merely down to allergies or some other type of trigger, you could be OK if you can avoid them on the job.

Medical Restrictions for Asthma and the Fire Service

Asthma is listed as a Category A condition. Normally, this would mean a straight disqualification. But, the issue isn’t that simple.

The main clause in the physical exam is stated as follows. Candidates can have no “reactive airways disease requiring bronchodilator or corticosteroid therapy in the previous 2 years.”

What this essentially means is that you can be diagnosed as asthmatic and still qualify if you haven’t required an inhaler for the last 2 years. If you can prove to be asymptomatic then you should be fine.

This will be a concern for those that have very few symptoms if they take their preventive medication each day.

The decision from the physicians during the firefighter medical exam will come down to a test. Pass the test and you will proceed through the hiring process. What you will need to do it stay off any anti-inflammatory medication for 4 weeks and not take the bronchodilator on the day of the test.

Then you may be tested for your response to cold air or methacholine (at a rate of PC20 greater than 16 mg/ml). If you end up with a negative result, then you will pass.

This test isn’t the only way that you can ensure that you get a fair shot during the hiring process.

Your breathing ability and lung capacity will be tested to their limit during the medical exam to see how your lungs respond. If the test comes back negative, then you should be fine.

The medical examination will also require a discussion about your medical history. This means that you have to be honest about the severity of the condition in the past and how it has affected you recently.

Improvements and less reliance on medication should be considered. You can also discuss how this won’t be an issue during the interview process where appropriate.

Handling Your Asthma on the Job

If you do make the cut, even if you require your preventive medication at times or other aids, you can work to minimize the risk while you work. Working to improve your lung capacity can lessen the risk that physical exertion will be a trigger.

You can also have a plan in place with other crew members for a quick response if you ever have an asthma attack. Teach them about the signs/symptoms and how to help.

Consider what your triggers are and how severe your asthma is. Don’t give up and take that medical test. The results just might surprise you.

The post Can You Be A Firefighter With Asthma? appeared first on FirefighterNOW.

from FirefighterNOW https://firefighternow.com/asthma/

From https://catherinelee4.blogspot.com/2019/11/can-you-be-firefighter-with-asthma.html

source https://catherinelee4.wordpress.com/2019/11/27/can-you-be-a-firefighter-with-asthma/