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Brian H Wilbur, Fire Chief | J Thomas Dorman, Deputy Fire Chief | |||||||
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Career Opportunities | ||
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MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRE FIGHTER CANDIDATES
(This information is provided by the City of Ithaca Human Resources/Civil Service Department. If you have questions regarding the content of this page, please contact them at (607) 274-6539) 1. Authority These standards were adopted by the City of Ithaca Civil Service Commission on February 10, 1997. They are derived from the 1992 edition of NFPA 1582, Standard on Medical Requirements for Fire Fighters, which was enacted by the National Fire Protection Association on August 14, 1992. 2. Purpose The purpose of these standards is to provide a job-related methodology for evaluating a candidate’s medical ability to perform the essential functions of a Fire Fighter, with or without reasonable accommodation. 3. Procedure Candidates who have been conditionally offered employment as a Fire Fighter will be required to meet the medical standards specified herein, as certified by a qualified physician. Candidates who are certified as meeting these standards will also be required to successfully complete a physical performance assessment. A candidate who does not meet the medical standards will either be removed from the eligible list (if the disqualifying condition cannot be remedied) or placed inactive (if the disqualifying condition can be remedied). 4. Content of the Medical Examination 4.1 Medical and Occupational History The medical history should cover the person’s known health problems, such as major illnesses, surgeries, medication use, allergies, etc. Symptom review is also important for detecting early signs of illness. In addition, a comprehensive medical history should include a personal health history, a family health history, a health habit history, an immunization history, and a reproductive history. An occupational history should also be obtained to collect information about the person’s past occupational and environmental exposures. (NFPA 1582, B-3.3.1) 4.2 Clinical Tests The following clinical and laboratory tests should be conducted on fire fighter candidates: Urinalysis (Dipstick). Drug Screening (amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, methadone, opiates, propoxyphene, methaqualone, benzodiazepines, phencyclidine, tetra hydro cannabinoids). Electrocardiogram (ECG). Audiometry. The following clinical and laboratory tests should be conducted on fire fighter candidates if the medical history or physical examination indicates a need: Tuberculosis (Mantoux), if indicated. Chest X-ray, if indicated. Pulmonary Function Testing, if indicated. (NFPA 1582, B-3.3.2.1, B-3.3.2.2, B-3.3.2.3, B-3.3.2.4, B-3.3.2.5) 4.3 Medical Examination The medical examination includes the following organ systems:
Vital signs: pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and, if indicated temperature. Dermatological system. Ears, eyes, nose, mouth, throat. Cardiovascular system. Respiratory system. Gastrointestinal system. Genitourinary system. Endocrine and metabolic systems. Musculoskeletal systems. Neurological systems. Visual acuity and peripheral vision testing.
(NFPA 1582, B-3.3.2)
4.4 Disqualifying Medical Conditions
Category A Medical Conditions: A medical condition that would preclude a person from performing as a fire fighter in a training or emergency operational environment by presenting a significant risk to the safety and health of the person or others. A candidate shall not be certified as meeting the medical requirements of this standard if the physician determines that a candidate has any Category A medical condition specified herein.
Category B Medical Conditions: A medical condition that, based on its severity or degree, may preclude a person from performing as a fire fighter in a training or emergency operational environment by presenting a significant risk to the safety and health of the person or others. A candidate shall not be certified as a meeting the medical requirements of this standard if the physician determines that the candidate has a Category B medical condition specified herein that is of sufficient severity to prevent the candidate from performing, with or without reasonable accommodation, the essential functions of a fire fighter without posing a significant risk to the safety and health of the candidate or others.
4.4.1 Head and Neck.
4.4.1.1 Head Category A medical conditions shall include: a) None.
Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Deformities of the skull such as depressions or exostoses. b) Deformities of the skull associated with evidence of disease of the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves. c) Loss or congenital absence of the bony substance of the skull. d) Any other head condition that results in a person not being able to perform as a fire fighter. 4.4.1.2 Neck Category A medical conditions shall include: a) None.
Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Thoracic outlet syndrome. b) Congenital cysts, chronic draining fistulas, or similar lesion. c) Contraction of neck muscles. d) Any other neck condition that results in a person not being able to perform as a fire fighter.
4.4.2 Eyes and Vision.
Category A medical conditions shall include: a) Far visual acuity. Far visual acuity shall be at least 20/30 binocular corrected with contact lenses or spectacles. Far visual acuity uncorrected shall be at least 20/100 binocular for wearers of hard contacts or spectacles. Successful long-term soft contact lens wearers shall not be subject to the uncorrected criterion. b) Peripheral vision. Visual field performance without correction shall be 140 degrees in the horizontal meridian in each eye.
Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Color vision inadequate to identify red, green, and yellow colors. b) Diseases of the eye such as retinal detachment, progressive retinopathy, or optic neuritis. c) Ophthalmological procedures such as radial keratotomy or repair of retinal detachment. d) Any other eye condition that results in a person not being able to perform as a fire fighter.
4.4.3 Ears and Hearing.
Category A medical conditions shall include: a) Hearing deficit in the pure tone thresholds in the unaided worst ear: 1) Greater than 25 dB in three of the four frequencies: (I) 500 Hz, (ii) 1000 Hz, (iii) 2000 Hz, (iv) 3000 Hz. 2) Greater than 30 dB in any one of the three frequencies: (I) 500 Hz, (ii) 1000 Hz, (iii) 2000 Hz; and an average greater than 30 dB for the four frequencies: (I) 500 Hz, (ii) 1000 Hz, (iii) 2000 Hz, (iv) 3000 Hz.
Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Auditory canal- atresia, severe stenosis, or tumor. b) Severe external otitis. c) Auricle-severe agenesis or traumatic deformity. d) Mastoid-severe mastoiditis or surgical deformity. e) Meniere’s syndrome or labyrinthitis. f) Otitis media. g) Any other ear condition that results in a person not being able to perform as a fire fighter.
4.4.4 Dental.
Category A medical conditions shall include: a) None.
Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Diseases of the jaws or associated tissues. b) Orthodontic appliances. c) Oral tissues, extensive loss. d) Relationship between the mandible and maxilla that precludes satisfactory postorthodontic replacement or ability to use protective equipment. e) Any other dental condition that results in a person not being able to perform as a fire fighter.
4.4.5 Nose, Oropharynx, Trachea, Esophagus, and Larynx.
Category A medical conditions shall include: a) Tracheostomy. b) Aphonia. c) Anosmia.
Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Congenital or acquired deformity. b) Allergic respiratory disorder. c) Sinusitis, recurrent. d) Dysphonia. e) Any other nose, oropharynx, trachea, esophagus, or larynx condition that results in a person not being able to perform as fire fighter or to communicate effectively.
4.4.6 Lungs and Chest Wall.
Category A medical conditions shall include: a) Suppurative disease of lung or pleural space.
Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Lobectomy. b) Bronchial asthma. c) History of bronchiectasis, bronchitis, fibrous pleuritis, fibrosis, cystic disease, tuberculous, or mycotic disease of the lung. d) Pneumothorax. e) Any other pulmonary or chest wall condition that results in a person not being able to perform as fire fighter.
4.4.7 Heart and Vascular System.
4.4.7.1 Heart. Category A medical conditions shall include: a) Current angina pectoris. b) Left bundle branch block or second degree Type II atrioventricular block. c) Myocardial insufficiency. d) Acute pericarditis, endocarditis, or myocarditis, Chronic pericarditis, endocarditis with resultant significant valvular lesions, or myocarditis leading to myocardial insufficiency or excludable arrhythmias. e) History of myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass, or coronary angioplasty. f) Cardiac pacemaker. g) Recurrent syncope.
Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Significant valvular lesions of the heart including prosthetic valves. b) Coronary artery disease. c) Atrial tachycardia, flutter, or fibrillation. d) Third degree atrioventricular block. e) Ventricular tachycardia. f) Hypertrophy of the heart. g) Recurrent paroxysmal tachycardia. h) History of a congenital abnormality. I) Any other cardiac condition that results in a person not being able to perform as a fire fighter.
4.4.7.2 Vascular System. Category A medical conditions shall include: a) Congenital or acquired lesions of the aorta or major vessels. b) Marked circulatory instability as indicated by orthostatic hypotension, persistent tachycardia, and severe peripheral vasomotor disturbances. c) Aneurysm of the heart or major vessel, congenital or acquired. Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Hypertension. b) Peripheral vascular disease such as Raynaud’s phenomenon. c) Recurrent thrombophlebitis. d) Chronic lymphedema due to lymphopathy or severe venous valvular incompetency. e) Any other vascular condition that results in a person not being able to perform as a fire fighter.
4.4.8 Abdominal Organs and Gastrointestinal System.
Category A medical conditions shall include: a) Chronic active hepatitis.
Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Cholecystitis. b) Gastritis. c) Hemorrhoids. d) Acute Hepatitis. e) Hernia. f) Inflammatory bowel disease. g) Intestinal obstruction. h) Pancreatitis. I) Resection, bowel j) Ulcer, gastrointestinal k) Cirrhosis, hepatic or biliary. l) Any other gastrointestinal condition that results in a person not being able to perform as fire fighter.
4.4.9 Genitourinary System.
4.4.9.1 Reproductive. Category A medical conditions shall include: a) None.
Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Pregnancy, for its duration. b) Dysmenorrhea. c) Endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or other gynecologic conditions. d) Testicular or epididymal mass. e) Any other genital condition that results in a person not being able to perform as a fire fighter.
4.4.9.2 Urinary System. Category A medical conditions shall include: a) None. Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Diseases of the Kidney. b) Diseases of the ureter, bladder, or prostate. c) Any other urinary condition that results in a person not being able to perform as a fire fighter.
4.4.10 Spine, Scapulae, Ribs, and Sacroiliac Joints.
Category A medical conditions shall include: a) None.
Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Arthritis. b) Structural abnormality, fracture, or dislocation. c) Nucleus pulposus, herniation of or history of laminectomy. d) Any other spinal condition that results in a person not being able to perform as a fire fighter.
4.4.11 Extremities.
Category A medical conditions shall include: a) None.
Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Limitation of motion of a joint. b) Amputation or deformity of a joint or limb. c) Dislocation of a joint.
d) Joint reconstruction, ligamentous instability, or joint replacement. e) Chronic osteoarthritis or traumatic arthritis. f) Inflammatory arthritis. g) Any other extremity condition that results in a person not being able to perform as a fire fighter.
4.4.12 Neurological Disorders.
Category A medical conditions shall include: a) Ataxias of heredo-degenerative type. b) Cerebral arteriosclerosis as evidenced by documented episodes of neurological impairment. c) Multiple sclerosis with activity or evidence of progression within previous three years. d) Progressive muscular dystrophy or atrophy. e) All seizure disorders to include psychomotor, focal, petit mal, or grand mal seizures other than for those with complete control during previous five years, normal neurological examination, and definitive statement from qualified neurological specialist.
Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Congenital malformations. b) Migraine. c) Clinical disorders with paresis, paralysis, dyscoordination, deformity, abnormal motor activity, abnormality of sensation, or complaint of pain. d) Subarachnoid or intracerebral hemorrhage. e) Abnormalities from recent head injury such as severe cerebral contusion or concussion. f) Any other neurological condition that results in a person not being able to perform as a fire fighter.
4.4.13 Skin.
Category A medical conditions shall include: a) None.
Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Acne or inflammatory skin disease. b) Eczema. c) Any other dermatologic condition that results in a person not being able to perform as a fire fighter.
4.4.14 Blood and Blood-Forming Organs.
Category A medical conditions shall include: a) Hemorrhagic states requiring replacement therapy. b) Sickle cell disease (homozygous).
Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Anemia. b) Leukopenia. c) Polycythemia vera. d) Splenomegaly. e) History of thromboembolic disease. f) Any other hematological condition that results in a person not being able to perform as a fire fighter.
4.4.15 Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders.
Category A medical conditions shall include: a) None.
Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Diseases of the adrenal gland, pituitary gland, parathyroid gland, or thyroid gland of clinical significance. b) Nutritional deficiency disease or metabolic disorder. c) Diabetes mellitus. d) Any other endocrine or metabolic condition that results in a person not being able to perform as a fire fighter.
4.4.16 Systemic Diseases and Miscellaneous Conditions.
Category A medical conditions shall include: a) None.
Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Connective tissue disease, such as dermatomyositis, lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis. b) Residuals from past thermal injury. c) Documented evidence of a predisposition to heat stress with recurrent episodes or resulting residual injury. d) Any other systemic condition that results in a person not being able to perform as a fire fighter.
4.4.17 Tumors and Malignant Diseases.
Category A medical conditions shall include: a) None.
Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Malignant disease that is newly diagnosed that is newly diagnosed, untreated, or currently being treated. Candidates shall be subject to the provisions of 2-3.5 of this standard. Current fire fighters shall be subject to the provisions of 2-4.4 of this standard. b) Treated malignant disease shall be evaluated based on that person’s current physical condition and on the likelihood of that person’s disease to recur or progress. c) Any other tumor or similar condition that results in a person not being able to perform as a fire fighter.
4.4.18 Psychiatric Conditions.
Category A medical conditions shall include: a) None.
Category B medical conditions shall include: a) A history of psychiatric condition or substance abuse problem shall be evaluated based on that person’s current condition.
b) Any other psychiatric condition that results in a person not being able to perform as a fire fighter.
4.4.19 Chemicals, Drugs, and Medications.
Category A medical conditions shall include: a) None.
Category B medical conditions shall include: a) Anticoagulant agents b) Cardiovascular agents. c) Narcotics. d) Sedative-hypnotics. e) Stimulants. f) Psychoactive agents. g) Steroids. h) Any other chemical, drug, or medication that results in a person not being able to perform as a fire fighter.
(NFPA 1582, 1-4, 2-3.3, 2-3.4, Chapter 3)
For more information, contact the City Human Resources/Civil Service Department at (607) 274-6539. | ||
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