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Can I become a firefighter? Medical conditions Dyslexia If you have been assessed as having this condition, you will be permitted additional time to undertake the psychometric tests. Evidence will be required to be submitted prior to a formal job offer being made. This may be a school assessment, formal report etc. Colour blindness If you believe you have colour blindness, you may wish to be formally assessed before submitting an application form. The minimum standard that we accept is the Farnsworth D-15 standard test. We also conduct functional tests as part of the medical process if you display difficulties with colour perception. Eyesight standards Visual acuity Use of aids should be possible at the recruit stage. Corrected visual acuity should be 6/9 binocularly, and a minimum of 6.12 in the worse eye. The minimum uncorrected vision for recruits should be 6/18 in the better eye and 6/24 in the worse eye for both full-time and retained (on call) firefighters. The current 6/60 unaided limit should be retained for serving firefighters. An upper hypermetropic limit of +3.00. Testing for myopic corrections is no longer required. VA testing protocols must be better defined (eg for Snellen, distances, ambient lighting and use). Vision must be binocular. Be able to read N12 at 30cm unaided with both eyes open (applicants aged 25 and over). Be able to read N6 at 30cm unaided with both eyes open (applicants under 25 years of age). Visual fields Normal binocular field of vision is required. Eye disease You should have no history of night blindness or any ocular disease that is likely to progress and result in future failure of the visual standards for firefighters. If you have Keratoconus it's unlikely that you would be fit for firefighting duties. If you suffer with compound astigmatism you would be assessed for capability, history of headaches and eyestrain. Refractive surgery Applicants who have undergone successful Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK) and EpiLASIK treatments should be allowable if they satisfy post operative visual tests. Applicants who have had RK (radial Keratotomy) and astigmatic ketatotomy are not suitable due to increased risk of rupture and fluctuation in vision. Intraocular refractive surgery - used for high myopes, therefore still risk of complications. Wavefront guided laser refractive surgery - since a Wavefront treatment aims to reduce aberrations, in theory it should produce better outcomes for night vision and vision in difficult low lighting levels or reduced contrast as might be encountered in a smoke-filled room. This technology could therefore have great relevance for firefighters. Research is still under way to aid our understanding of this relatively new technology. 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. Your visual visual performance should be assessed using a technique sensitive to the presence of scattered light and aberrations. You would not be considered until at least 12 months post surgery and when all medication has ceased. Hearing standards You should meet the H2 standard for hearing. If you are below the H2 standard you should have a capability assessment before any decisions are made on your fitness for role or redeployment. A specialist assessment should be considered to determine whether the condition is permanent, treatable and for advice on hearing aids. If you are below H3 standard (with aids if appropriate), it is unlikely that you would be safe on the fireground. The worse ear is used to grade you in your placement within the Service. Fitness levels Physical fitness You should have a reasonable standard of physical fitness (be able to achieve a minimum VO2 max uptake of 45ml/kg/min using the Chester Step test). You get three attempts to demonstrate this level of fitness. If you are unable to achieve the desired level you will not be considered suitable for a position on the trainee course. Upper body strength You should possess a reasonable degree of upper body strength which you will be asked to demonstrate by various practical assessments. Confined space You should be able to effectively negotiate a route through a confined space to ensure your safety and to maximise your efficiency on the fireground. Working at height You should be able to demonstrate an ability to work at heights. Getting fit There will be a variety of fitness tests that you will be expected to complete during the joining process. Find out more on the firefighter fitness tests and how to prepare for them.