mentally challenged firefighters

I belong to a small combination dept in upstate New York. We have one company that is all paid staff. The others are 4 all volunteer companies. We also have an explorer post through the boy scouts. The dilemma is this one of the explorers is at the age when he could join as a volunteers and he keeps trying to be let in to one. The explorer in question has a heart of gold and has always wanted to be a firefighter. Now for the problem this explorer is mentally challenged. He got through high school with a special ED diploma. In the few years as an explorer he has made little progress and is not capable of formal state fire training. He has had several emotional outbursts after calls that he was not even involved in bad car wrecks fatal fires Etc. He has tried joining the 3 other companies who string him along. And now it’s our turn. It’s my opinion that he would be too much of a liability he requires constant supervision and direction. As my company is looking into accepting him with special circumstances I was wondering if anyone else has any experience with this or advise I could use. He is a good kid a 10yo in a 20yo body. I don’t want to discriminate against him based on his lack of mental capacity. I just don’t want him or someone else getting injured due to it. Our dept regs have nothing to say yes or no. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I Fear that what we do for one would likely open the flood gates.
Thank you in advance for your input.

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Permalink Reply by 144Truck on March 11, 2009 at 1:42pm

Given the information at hand.... Especially the fact that this individual functions at a high enough level to make the distinction between "Support" and "Firefighter" and "Becomes fixated on fire" I would say "Thanks for your interest, but no thanks". Certainly no disrespect intended.

It seems that you have attempted to make a "Reasonable Accomodation" for this person as the ADA would require and it was turned down by the candidate.

Stay away from this one.

144Truck

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Permalink Reply by turk182 on March 11, 2009 at 1:51pm

There is always a job you can find around the fire house for people with mental or physical handicaps.

That being said if you find out that they are fixated with fire wether it is someone with a handicap or not you are better off not taking the risk of having them in the department.

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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on March 11, 2009 at 2:48pm

Early on and lacking the information, I was drawn by the idea of finding something meaningful, but harmless for this person to do. I find the notion commendable.
But, that is with someone with impairments who do not exhibit "abnormal" behaviors, such as fits of rage or fixation on fire.
Without having the medical information and no right to that type of information, I would find it better to just thank them and move on.
We can visit groups in our communities if we want to spread good will. The fireground or an MVA is not the place or the time to do that.
If that sounds mean, then think of the flip side and the liabilities.
We can find safe ways to interact with our friends of the fire department.
Art

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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on March 11, 2009 at 4:06pm

DT:
Have you noticed that OLD threads are, all of a sudden being opened again?
Yeah; me too.
I think it is because of 1) new members getting in late on the discussion and 2) people are running out of discussion topics.
I have noticed that new discussions are down to a trickle and the blogisphere has been turtlish as well.
I am working on a blog at the moment, but will need another day or two.
I hope that my web friend can fit it in.
TCSS.
Art

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Permalink Reply by Moose on March 11, 2009 at 4:14pm

No offense to either of you guys Chief, but if you are unhappy with the old topics than why are you answering them? And by the way, I am looking forward to your next blog post, you make great points and I learn something from all of your blogs. Thanks.

Damthing, it seems like you and I but heads all the time sir!LOL If you read my second post, I was referring to mentally challenged folks in general, NOT this particular kid. If you give them the chance and they fail the tests, than at least you can say "Hey, we took him in and gave him the same tests every firefighter needs to pass in order to be a member and he failed them, no discrimination was made by this dept." A little thing called CYA.

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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on March 11, 2009 at 5:33pm

Moose:
I ain't complaining; merely making an observation.
In fact, I think I have added four or five observations to this discussion.
But, you have to admit; there has been a proliferation of resurrected threads as of late.
I don't mind that as much as I despise beating an expired horse!
DT:
Yah; I kinda, sorta, probably provoke some kinda thought in my own sorta way...mostly.
TCSS.
Art

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Permalink Reply by Tony P on March 11, 2009 at 7:55pm

The re-birth of this thread surprised me. I thought I'd killed it back in January. Not that I meant to kill it! But the fact that it is back shows that someone is looking over past threads for things of interest. Much better than the common practice of starting new threads on a topic that still has a live thread! Or of re-hashing a thread that has been done to death numerous times...

What the rebirth has done is show that people don't always read posts. Suggestions have been made that miss extremely important points:
This person knows the difference between being a firefighter and being an auxiliary. He refuses the auxiliary role.
This person, when on the fireground, has been seen to become fixated on the fire.

The first makes it unfortunate that many otherwise good suggestions simply won't work. The second would have me not wanting him anywhere near the fireground.

Comments on the generality of this issue are also fine, but the OP has a specific problem.

One suggestion made has intrigued me. Fire investigation. When he can't learn what is needed to be a firefighter he is expected to be able to handle the fire science requirements of a fire investigation course?

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Permalink Reply by Chad Furr on March 11, 2009 at 9:57pm

Let him on and let him help around the fire house. Make it known that you have to pass x number of hours of training to actually get to respond. May make someof your others have to step up and take some classes somay be a win win situation.