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Active duty firefighters with Pacemakers or defibrillators
A member in my department has an implanted device and wishes to remain in an active duty status. I need some names and contact information of people who are in simular situations. Any help would be appreciated.
Steve Fennell
DCFD
sjfennellsr@gmail.com
Steve Fennell
DCFD
sjfennellsr@gmail.com
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by steve fennell on
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You would think so. But following the NFPA may put him in jeopardy. I need support from other jurisdictions.
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Permalink Reply by Oldman on
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Unfortunately, not following NFPA may put you and every member of your crew in jeopardy.
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Permalink Reply by FETC on
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Sometimes what one wishes is not in the best interest of the individual or the department. An implanted anything is pretty much not allowed, pacemaker, defibrillator, insulin pump, etc. This business is hard work, some of which the implanted device will not adjust for, which can then become a hazard to everyone on the scene, or in the truck.
I understand it stinks to lose a guy, probably a great guy who may still be young and wants to do the job. This job unfortunately is not for everyone. My suggestion from a negotiation standpoint if he is close to retirement but short on years is attempt to have him moved internally to a "less" stressful position within the agency, like fire prevention, inspections or investigation. FYI: He would be forced to retire from our organization regardless of years of service, due to the department physician not allowing the condition(s) under the NFPA 1582 part (B) for existing employee with new medical condition. If he was a new hire, tested under part (A) he would clearly be passed over for a healthier candidate.
TCSS
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"Oldman and FETC"
Thanks for the advice. All this information has been taken into consideration before the writing of this blog. There are functioning members in my department with other types of pumps and devices. I would put them against many "active" members in others departments. We have a member who suffered a heart attack over 10 years ago, he was shocked over 6 times at the ER. Today he is a line officer at a busy company.
Don't forget it was unheard of to allow an amputee back on the battlefield.
Focusing on the issue at hand, there are active firefighters currently serving across the country. I have a few names already. I just need a few more.
Shake the trees for a brother in need.
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Permalink Reply by J Whaley on
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sad to say, if your department follows the letter of 1582, then he's going to have to be removed from frontline service. This is what's known as a Category A disqualifier, and those are automatic and irrefutable (along with significant hearing loss, partial amputation of a limb, insulin dependent diabetes, and many others). NFPA is very specific on this. He could transition to an office or support role, but structural firefighting is out of the question - regardless of how good he feels. I've had to remove firefighters from service for medical reasons. I dont like doing it....but I'd like telling their families they died on duty even less.
If your department doesn't follow 1582 to the letter, then there may be opportunity....but those departments are few and far between I imagine. I have a friend who burned out his pancreas and became insulin dependent, losing a career fire/ems position. If your department doc understands 1582/1583 very clearly, your buddy's odds of staying on with an implantable defibrillator are nonexistent. I have to agree with Oldman - it totally sucks....and it would be that much worse for someone with an implantable device to die on duty, potentially taking others with him.
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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I believe he asked for names and help not condemnation.
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That's the issue here. The NFPA is not followed exactly by the letter. In most departments (I suspect) following one portion of the NFPA requires the department to follow ALL portions. So, our department uses it as a guideline. They do not live OR die by the NFPA.
Again, the more positive stories I get, which a few have trickled in, the better off this will be. I have testimony from one firefighter that was back to full duty (fighting fires) in ten days. So, there are cases out there and keeping a positive outlook is the main idea.
take the time to send an email out across the country and see what you can find.
Thanks
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Permalink Reply by Michael C. Harrison on
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Steve, unfortunately most of the responses you will receive on this board are the, "NFPA won't allow it, and I disagree with it also" and so on (I'm sure you have figured that out already).
I would offer the suggestion (which I am sure you have already considered) of hitting up the Local's across the Nation for info.....you will be MUCH more likely to get the responses you asked for that way.
Keep fighting the good fight.
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Since the International is in our backyard, I turned to them early on. Still awaiting word from Rich Duffy and company. He advised that most locals are not bragging about it, but they are out there.
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Ralph,
Been there and done that. Doc says good things and he has not reached MMI. So there is hope in that area. Supporting cases is what eases the fears of the cardiologists.
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In our department a member is either in a full duty or non-full duty status. In the non-full duty status the clock starts ticking towards retirement. In 64 tours he is either back to full duty or the process begins. The member wishes and acknowledges his days of riding the fire trucks are over and he has a "desk job" available. However, he needs to be in a full duty status. It may seem odd, but it's the law.
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