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Explorers/Firefighters with Asthma
This is a QUESTION up for discussion for anybody to answer...I just joined Explorers post 555...I want to become a firefighter and cant picture doing anything else..The only thing is- I have asthma..I've read that departments may not hire because of it, and then I hear they do...Ppl say, along with my advisor, that I"ll be fine.
What do you think/have to say
What do you think/have to say
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kimberly A Bownas on
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My suggestion is to check with your doctor and see what he has to say and then also you know what you can do and handle. If you have your asthma under control I don't see why you couldn't be a firefighter. You have to know your limitations and work from there. Just be smart about what you do and like I said ask your doctor about what you can and can't do. Don't over do and just be smart about it. Good luck and be safe.....
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Permalink Reply by Royce Terry on
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Well Im An Explorer And I Have Heard Nothing About Departmtns No hiring because of it. My Sugestion is like the other guys check with r doctor. then talk to some paid departments and see what they say.
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Permalink Reply by rfdjumper on
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If a department doesn't ask then I wouldn't volunteer medical history to anyone. Your doctor would be the best person to ask for guidance as to do's and don't's.
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Permalink Reply by Justin Buck on
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i have a asthma it does bother when im on a hot fire its only cig. smoke that bothers me
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I'm glad it helped get your motivation back. Keep going and never give up..... Stay Safe
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Permalink Reply by Trey Taylor on
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I have asthma & have had it for years. When i joined my dept I was told the same thing that you had heard "that firefighters couldnt have asthma." So I lied & said that I didnt when I was asked. Just like I did when I joined the army. As I got more active in my dept I learned that you could have asthma & be in the service. You just have to know YOUR limitations just like others have said. If you know how far you can go then you will be fine. Just dont push yourself too far on scene or during training. Train for the physical test that you have to take for the paid fire depts, dont just lay around & eat "twinkes" as one of my drill sgts used to say.. Get to know how far you can push before your asthma kicks up, then slowly work to the point you want to be. Asthma is controlable if you want it to be, atleast it is for me. Hope this helped some.
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Im not sure what the physical test is... Im at a volunteer station so we really dont have one. Im currently in the Florida dept of corrections basic recruit academy right now & i know that the running gets to me at times. So i would suggest that keep doing what your doing. I have heard that some depts use a hose drag, a hose pull, a run, pushups, situps, a climb up 4 stories fully packed out & more. I would get with your advisor and ask them if they know of the events for the test & start training for them. But running & working out will do good for you. Good luck & stay safe
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Permalink Reply by Eric on
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well I have asthma. I have pretty much grown out of it. I haven't had no problems since I was like IDk 9 or 10 years old. Knock on wood. But if it is still causeing you problems. Always have a inhaler with ya in your gear. I don't keep one on me. but to be safe. Keep one with ya. But remember. watch your self. Don't overdo it. And, oh yea. Have fun.
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Permalink Reply by FETC on
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Meaghan,
It depends on that fire department's specific physical standards they use for hiring. NFPA 1582 is just one document that NFPA recommends using for FD physicals. NIOSH and OSHA require all users of an SCBA, to be fit tested and also pass a PFT- pulmonary function test (this is a tube you blow into and a ball goes up, or if it is the newer machine, keep blowing until the computer calculates the volume)
Anyways, fire departments accross the country use a wide variety of medical testing from NONE -to- NFPA 1582. As others have stated, ask the department what they use because even your personal physician doesn't understand the requirements and demands of firefighting unless they are an occupational health MD who does FD physicals.
Best of luck...
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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From the perspective of a larger department... and not to be overly blunt, but your personal health is worth a lot more than fulfilling a dream to work a job that will most certainly compromise your health and longevity. When you are around a structure fire, you will be exposed to aldehydes, ketones, organic vapors and mists and other things that have more of an impact on someone who has a compromised respiratory system. For those who are not honest in the hiring process, the reduced tidal volume will be easily detected through both pulmonary testing as well as the actual hiring requirements which require standardized tests, all designed to push yourself to the limit. If you are truly hooked on emergency services,consider another type of job that won't put you in jeopardy of creating a health issue. Paramedics, Emergency Room or Critical Care nurses, flight nurses, etc... Good luck with your future and career path. TCSS, Mike
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