Firefighter Physicals
Firefighter physical examinations
It can be a challenging task in evaluating a firefighter candidate to determine whether he/she is physically capable of performing the essential functions of the firefighter position. Unlike police officer candidates, firefighter candidates must be evaluated in conjunction with the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1582 guidelines — a standard established by individuals with fire safety expertise and approved by the American National Standards Institute.
The inherent on-the-job requirements of a firefighter necessitate that the candidate have a high standard of physical fitness. This includes having the strength and fitness to perform extensive crawling or walking, climbing stairs/ladders while lifting and carrying heavy objects, wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus, ventilating roofs or walls using power tools and/or hand tools, and advancing water-filled hoses.
To prevent potential litigations in evaluating firefighter candidates, it is helpful to have a recognized resource, such as the NFPA 1582, to provide additional guidance in determining whether a firefighter candidate is medically qualified.
