Full Careers
Can i become a firefighter?
I am an doing fire service at my career center i have wanted to be a firefighter since i was little i have had asthma my whole life i am in good shape 6 and a half ft and 195lb i workout and play football can run 3.5miles but can anyone qualifed person tell me if asthma will stop me from being a career firefighter
Public Comments
- It's totally dependent on the department you work for. The hiring processes for career departments can be as different as the departments themselves. Some have very stringent rules about medical issues. Others are evaluate them on a case by case basis. First things first... I'd see what your doctor has to say about your condition. If he can sign off that your condition is under control, then I'd give the firefighting thing a shot.
- All the cardio is great, and good and helps, but if 1 wiff of smoke can put you out, then it might not be the best choice.. Alot of bigger departments will just outright say no to asthma because asthma falls under medical conditions under NFPA (National Fire Protection Associations) standards (dont rmember which one, and there are about 2000 of them).. 1582 sounds familiar.. If it is uncontroled Asthma, NFPA requires a no hire, if controlled, it is a conditional no-hire.. However, NOT all departments follow NFPA standards and recommendations. So, try out, you might not get thru the medical for all departments, but there should be some you could deal with. If you can pass the Test to get into the Military, the Air Force has a big military firefighter program, and if you are currently working as one and get hired elsehwere, the conditional is alot harder to say no to.. If you do decide to try, you should get something from your doctor saying he feels that you can be able to do the job and perform some of the following streneous work such as working out and football. It don't hurt, and some occupational health docs that are employeed by city will accept another doctors recommendation. Good Luck
