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Age and The Ability to Perform
Should a persons age be a facture in determining if they can or cannot perform certain tasks for the fire department? What about a persons weight? Or should it be if you can perform your task performances in the allotted time no matter how old you are or how much you weigh? I have been reading a discussion (and participating in it) where if you are older you are more stubborn, and over confident in your abilities. What about those who are younger fresh out of school and academy should that same comment apply to them?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kevin on
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It seems like it's gotten away fron the posting here. Is it volly bashing or younger FF's complaining about the older FF's. I was at a fire last week when a 20 something told me after the fire " Jeezus old man, you wore me out" Yes I agree that being a firefighter is a young man's or women's job. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but someday you'll be over 40 ( like me ) and on the job and hear whiney little still wet behind the ears hey look I just got a real job and hit puberty piss ants whining too. Really? It should'nt matter how old you are it should matter if they can do the job or not. And you can take all the lifestyle risk factors and predispositions out of the equasion but any one at any age in any shape can and do have MI's and there is not a dam thing you can do about it.
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Permalink Reply by Márcio Teixeira on
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At what age, a professional firefighter in the United States can retire?
In Portugal depends on the degree, and time discounting. I have to work at least 36 years. In can retire with 55 years old.
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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The issue of retirement varys upon the individual dept and what the retirement requirements are. There are some places where you can retire after 20 years of service. There are some depts that allow to stay active into your 60's or longer, as long as you meet the annual requirements. In my state, the majority of the depts are in the state retirement system and can retire at 53, but there is also years of service as well. Meaning if a FF was to get hired in their 40's, they would have to get at least 20 years in before they can retire without penalty. Most FF's around my state retire in their 50's.
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50´s is the best age to retire, you still have the strength to enjoy the rest of your life...lol
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Permalink Reply by Spanner 122 on
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I think judging a person solely by their age is a recipe for disaster. I have worked with capts who are near retirement because of age and are incredible assets to the fire department, both because of knowledge and their physical abilities. I know some who are on the job 2 years and have let themselves go already, put on 30 lbs and have become a liability to all of those around them.
There is a valid argument, however, regarding allowing more time for physical testing as firefighters age on the job. For instance, if you are using the CPAT as your testing guidelines, those who are in their 50's would have an additional percentage of time over their previous time. I don't see an issue with this, it's logical that our bodies will not necessarily be able to perform as well as they did when they were 20!
As for weight.. this can become a problem.. whether the firefighter is able to do the work or not, and whether they can do it better and faster than someone who is in better shape is not in question. The question should be, are they are liability to themselves and those around them. Is there weight going to play a factor in their own health.
I was asked at one point, by a 2 year firefighter who had gained much weight (as mentioned above), if I could pull him out of a fire if he went down. First of all, anyone who has done proper RIT training, knows this is not likely to ever happen where one firefighter is pulling out another all by themselves (although beginning the process while waiting for RIT will happen). Second, I told him if he stopped to think before eating that cake and ice cream every day and spent a little time in the gym, it is not something we would likely have to worry about.
But I digress, no you cannot judge a person's ability on age, nor on weight, but they can become a factor when health issues arise. Treat each individual as an individual.
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Permalink Reply by Foley&son on
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I. have worked with young and old, in and out shape . ill take old guy over young because of what they know.any day be safe out there .
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Permalink Reply by Patti Walz on
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I will admit that I am one of these people who will work themselves to the grave. I am up at between 2-3 in the morning heading off to work where I will work until 3-5 in the afternoon, go home and work some more. On top of that I volunteer for three different agencies. By the time I get to bed I average 3 hours a night. I don't know how to relax really. I have been working this hard for the past 24 years.
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That is a valid point. If you add the gear that you have to wear on top of a persons regular body weight could you (or I) or one of our volunteers who is 5'4" and 90lbs dripping wet pull this guy out. When I went through academy we read the book on pulling another out but there was no hands on practical. I can honestly say I don't know if I could or if I could not because I don't have any hand on knowledge of proper technique. I can tell you I will ask my Captain if we can drill on this one since there are a wide variety of people between the three outstations.
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I would much rather work with someone who is seasoned than someone just out of academy.
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Permalink Reply by capcityff on
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How can you be a fireman and not know how to pull someone out of a fire?
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It was not a practical in my class. We reviewed the book and then moved on. My class was very much.... "Oh we will review this later" or "Don't need to cover this now" or "I'm tired so we are going to make this short and sweet". ANy future knowledge after academy is now coming from drills and it is because I am asking my Captain can we do this so that I can learn it and provide a refresher to the others in my area. To pass the FFI we had to complete a 6 month class (every thurs and some saturdays), take a written test and perform 5 tasks (Pack up from a seated position, Pull a pre-connect, take a hydrant, set up horizontal vent, and throw a 12' ladder). I was not happy with my academy class and told my Captain why. So know we pick essential things and drill on them both class and practical.
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Permalink Reply by Gregory Borg on
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Capcity, I get the question, but remember what you always say, being a FF in a big city or any city is way different from western rural firefighting. The chances of having a house fire let alone having someone inside is remote.
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