The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Disability or Ability? Is there a Place in the fire service for us?
I was just wondering if there are any other firefighters out there, particularly in small town - paid on call or vollie. depts. ( more so in Canada) that have undergone any type of organ transplant and have been able to return to service.
I am particularly interested in hearing from others who have had lung transplants, but certainly would like to hear everyone's story.
Is there a place for people like "us" in the fire service? I know I will never be front line firefighter again, but what about other aspects of the fire service? What responsibilities are there for the "disabled"?
Right now, while I am waiting for the call, I am still able to do quite a few things. I still maintain my professional drivers' licence which permits me to driver commercial vehicles (including fire apparatus). What I can't do however, is any physical/strenuous labour intensive work. Fire prevention, pre-incident planning, training program development are just a few things.. does anyone else have any ideas?
I would love to return to the service, but..sadly, many departments look at the disability as what you CAN'T DO as opposed to what you CAN. Right or wrong?
Please weigh in.
Thanks
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Tony Erickson on
-
Well here is something i do know about!!!!!!!!!!.....I'm a vol. on two depts and well i have 30% use of my left arm...Both depts accepted me on knowning it i disclosed everything....Now here lies the problem... One dept is a good ole boys club that doesn't really care about the training of thier people cuz if ur not a good ole boy ya really dont matter. My other dept has backed me up 200% in my training bent over backwards for me knowing about my arm in fact being i'm a pi they want to send me to maryland to the NFA to take arson invest....My thing, is there is a place for people with physical disabilitys in anything that ya do there is training out there to place u in certain places in ur dept or other depts.I went threw that train of tought for a long time, I was feeling like i'm not what i used t be an never will be...".Useless to a point".an here it is behind every strong man is a stronger woman....She pushed me to no end i used to be a steel worker for 18 years tell i tore all the legaments in my elbow and cartledge.I went threw the "disability vocational rehabilation program" and they retrained me to be a pi...donno if they have that in Ca. but it's wearth looking into....but theres always a place man, ALWAYS!!!!!!!...Now being a pi opened up new doors in my dept that backs me up....Arson invest??????? right up my ally i'm thinking..Stick with it bro!!!!!!!!... keep up the good fight never quit and it'll take some time.."I" stand behind u 1000 percent!!!!!!!!!..If ya need to talk add me and we'll chat, looking forward to hearing from ya fer sure
-
Permalink Reply by Roy Walker on
-
One thought on the subject is if you can do one of the less stressfull jobs on scene you not only act to fill that role but may free up an otherwise fit firefighter from that task to do the more stressfull stuff . Now this is just my opinion but several factors must be considered as well.
1/ What does your doctor consider as an acceptable level of stress, most jobs on the scene will generate a certain level of strees, just some will be more stressfull than others.
2/ Can you be trusted to stick to tasks that suit you. It will be difficult because you will face the same desire to help you had as a fully healthy firefighter. Especially when you are on scene and a full compliment of firefighters are not immediatly available.
3/ Will your fellow firefighters be comfortable and accept you in that position. They may be concerned your occupying a position that is better filled by a fully capable firefighter due to the above reasoning
Just some personal thoughts from a fellow Canadian firefighter hope they help some how Brian good luck.
-
Permalink Reply by Brian Mackie on
-
Thanks Tony. As soon as I figure out how to add you, I will lol (or you can add me to your list..but thats the easy way)
I am trying to continue serving in whatever capacity I can. There are still many things I can do, but without a department, well.. it makes it a bit more tougher. I do in fact want to continue taking more courses, and yes, fire invest. is one that I have been interested in for many years. Here in Manitoba, I need to be a member of a fire dept. in order to take any further courses through our provincial emergency services college. Without a department, I would be responsible for paying for the courses.. something I am unable to do right now because I am unable to work.
I look forward to keeping in touch with you.
Thanks again
-
-
Hi Roy. Thanks for your reply.
I do in fact have the support of my doctors. (specialists). I do retain my driver's licence,(class 2 w/air = buses and trucks) something which requires the doctors to actually sign their names to. Obviously they would be not so supportive in allowing me to continue running into the action, but for me that is just not an option. I have lost one pair of lungs, and do not intend to lose another (assuming I am lucky enough to get another pair). As far as the tasks.. well I would be happy just sitting at the radio if thats what it had to be but I know I am better than that on most days. I can still drive and operate the pump, freeing up an able bodied member to do other meaningful tasks. Still I certainly know my limitations. I guess thats the hardest part. I would never put any member of the crew in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation I know my limitations and trying to convince the powers that be, is a real challenge. Just being part of the team.. in whatever capacity is all I am really hoping to do.
thanks for your input. I appreciate your thoughts very much.
Stay safe k
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
