ADA and Firefighters

I was wondering how people felt about recruits who are disabled going through academy? What is your opinion on this? We have a recruit with uses a handicap placard whenever he goes someplace, even to the station. He is very overweight, I would like to say grossly. I do not know the reason for his acceptance except maybe to satisfy a portion of the American with Disabilities Act. That way no discrimination is show? Or to prove a point that maybe he should not have joined? I don't know the full reasoning so this is only my viewpoint.

How do other stations handle applications from those with handicaps?

I know that the three out stations that I drill with do not feel comfortable being on a call with this person cause if poop hit the fan we do not trust that he would be able to perform. If he is on a call with me do I as a probie have the right to tell my commanding officer that I do not feel safe in this persons hands or trust his abilities?

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Permalink Reply by Patti Walz on October 27, 2010 at 4:02pm

So holding a bull horn next to someones ear won't work then... :)

I have not had to take a hearing test so I wonder if this is done case by case for my department.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on October 27, 2010 at 5:42pm

WHAT...?!! DID YOU SAY SOMETHING..???!!??

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on October 27, 2010 at 5:47pm

I have not had to take a hearing test so I wonder if this is done case by case for my department.

Which is why if there are clear standards written to be a FF then there wouldn't be issues of worrying about if a deaf person could become a FF.