Download Medical and fitness requirements for firefighters

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.