I have just finished training to be a firefighter and was NFPA 1001 and 1002, and 1006 certified. I completed the 6 month program and a 3 month workterm. After completing these courses I had a regular eye exam completed and found out I was colorblind. Where I have already been certified do fire departments still have sound reasoning to deny me a position? and why?
I there all. First of all I want to congratulate everyone on this funtastic site!!
Well this is my question/concern....I´m a civilian firefighter in the USAF stationed in Lajes, Azores, PORTUGAL, I´ve been a firefighter for 14 years, I attended the USAF Fire academy, Rescue School, Space Shuttle Course.....I have Fire Officer I, Fire Inspector II, Fire Instructor I , well I think Im qualified to to my job. Over the years I´ve been distinguished several times and almost every year my yearly appraisals are EXCELLENT. Well my concern is that lately I was promoted to Crew Chief, and there are new Core Documents that I need to sign, and in the medical part of them state that firefighter can not be ColorBlind...And in fact I am colorblind, when I entered the FD I did not perform any color test, I guess it was not a critical item for the USAF standards, but in 2006 it changed to be a critical item, My question is will I have problem in getting the Promotion? I never had any problem with the colors, I can distinguish red, green ,yellow and all the basic colors with no problems! I have a letter from my previous chief wrotte in 2006 stating that my condition is not an issue to perform my job.
Can anyone help? or guide?
Cody,
You are right... me (and other colorblind FF I know) as vol.FF and colorblind I can tell you that during all this time i haven't still got problem with this. May be if you have a sever colorblindess you can't probably drive but still work in the fire service.
Even more...I've just started the paperwork & training to become engenieer....