The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Fire Department Physicals and what age should you change from interior to exterior
I have to ask this question and this is why. Last night we had our yearly department physicals. We ran the gambit of fit testing, the breathing test, eye exam, hearing test, EKG and physical exam.
Everything went as normal for me, I filled out the normal papers and then I started going through the stations. Vision which was pretty normal, oh yes they asked for a urine sample. Nothing serious they just check and make sure there are no abnormalities in it. Did my hearing test, it was painless. Then the dreaded fit test. It really isn’t all that bad but, this year it seems that I had to readjust my mask something like 5 times. Well it seems that I have lost weight (which I knew I had), it seems this weight loss has caused it so that I may need to get an even smaller mask. I wear a small now, so I will have to go to an extra small if I have problems. I did finally pass the fit test. I then went to the breathing test and that one I truly hate. Having to blow 3 times into a machine till you just about pass out is a killer. Now I know what you have to go thru when they want a breathalyzer when you get pulled over for a DWI, LOL. Next was the EKG, this was easy and nothing out of the ordinary there. The nurse took my blood pressure and pulse because that wasn’t done yet. Blood pressure was a little high, but I was laying on my back for the EKG and I hadn’t had dinner as of yet. Last but not least, the physical. It is painless. She checked my heart and listened to my lungs. Normal as I suspected. The PA finished and she checked my other test and said that everything was good. She said that my high pitch hearing is not good and asked if it was affecting my job performance or if I noticed anything. I said no. She asked if I had eaten today, I said breakfast and that was it. Then my blood pressure was taken. I was asked what it is normally and I told her the last one taken, which was just a week before was 118/68. It ended up being 120/68 which is really good for me. The PA stated that my blood pressure was high when the nurse took but she was happy it went down. So was I. No big deal. I passed my physical.
This is where my question comes in. The PA then says that this is where she gives her big speech. I am 42 and I have been an interior firefighter for 17+ years. She says to me that I should start thinking about becoming an exterior firefighter. I was like, “What?” She said that I am getting older and really should think about the fact that I don’t need to be interior anymore at my age. I told her I would think about it.
I did think about it on the way home from the firehouse and this is what I said. “Hell no, I am going to be interior till I am physically unable to do it anymore. I am more than capable and unless a doctor says otherwise I am not changing that status.” I have to say I don’t see myself as old.
This was a complete blow to me. I can see saying “hey, I can’t pass you to be interior because of the test results, but I can clear you for exterior.” That is fine. I guess she feels she needs to make the suggestion.
Don’t get me wrong, one thing for sure I am out of shape and overweight (not by a huge amount but still over weight). I have lost 22 pounds finally. I was 225 and am now 203. I am very proud of that, it has taken a long time to lose that weight. I am using the treadmill and doing everything I can to get back into shape. I feel much better already with just that. Keeping myself in shape and healthy is a big thing. I think unless you fail the interior part of the physical and the doctor says you can’t do this part anymore. They aren’t going to pass you for interior if you fail that part of the physical. At least the group we use wont.
So, I guess what I am asking is this. What age should you as an interior firefighter think about changing to an exterior firefighter? Just wondering what you all think…
Everything went as normal for me, I filled out the normal papers and then I started going through the stations. Vision which was pretty normal, oh yes they asked for a urine sample. Nothing serious they just check and make sure there are no abnormalities in it. Did my hearing test, it was painless. Then the dreaded fit test. It really isn’t all that bad but, this year it seems that I had to readjust my mask something like 5 times. Well it seems that I have lost weight (which I knew I had), it seems this weight loss has caused it so that I may need to get an even smaller mask. I wear a small now, so I will have to go to an extra small if I have problems. I did finally pass the fit test. I then went to the breathing test and that one I truly hate. Having to blow 3 times into a machine till you just about pass out is a killer. Now I know what you have to go thru when they want a breathalyzer when you get pulled over for a DWI, LOL. Next was the EKG, this was easy and nothing out of the ordinary there. The nurse took my blood pressure and pulse because that wasn’t done yet. Blood pressure was a little high, but I was laying on my back for the EKG and I hadn’t had dinner as of yet. Last but not least, the physical. It is painless. She checked my heart and listened to my lungs. Normal as I suspected. The PA finished and she checked my other test and said that everything was good. She said that my high pitch hearing is not good and asked if it was affecting my job performance or if I noticed anything. I said no. She asked if I had eaten today, I said breakfast and that was it. Then my blood pressure was taken. I was asked what it is normally and I told her the last one taken, which was just a week before was 118/68. It ended up being 120/68 which is really good for me. The PA stated that my blood pressure was high when the nurse took but she was happy it went down. So was I. No big deal. I passed my physical.
This is where my question comes in. The PA then says that this is where she gives her big speech. I am 42 and I have been an interior firefighter for 17+ years. She says to me that I should start thinking about becoming an exterior firefighter. I was like, “What?” She said that I am getting older and really should think about the fact that I don’t need to be interior anymore at my age. I told her I would think about it.
I did think about it on the way home from the firehouse and this is what I said. “Hell no, I am going to be interior till I am physically unable to do it anymore. I am more than capable and unless a doctor says otherwise I am not changing that status.” I have to say I don’t see myself as old.
This was a complete blow to me. I can see saying “hey, I can’t pass you to be interior because of the test results, but I can clear you for exterior.” That is fine. I guess she feels she needs to make the suggestion.
Don’t get me wrong, one thing for sure I am out of shape and overweight (not by a huge amount but still over weight). I have lost 22 pounds finally. I was 225 and am now 203. I am very proud of that, it has taken a long time to lose that weight. I am using the treadmill and doing everything I can to get back into shape. I feel much better already with just that. Keeping myself in shape and healthy is a big thing. I think unless you fail the interior part of the physical and the doctor says you can’t do this part anymore. They aren’t going to pass you for interior if you fail that part of the physical. At least the group we use wont.
So, I guess what I am asking is this. What age should you as an interior firefighter think about changing to an exterior firefighter? Just wondering what you all think…
Add a Comment
-
Comment by Jay Nicholson on January 27, 2009 at 7:33pm
-
Someone posted an article hear about an Indy Fire Lt. who is 71 and still working.
As some have said, age isn't as important as how you feel. if you can honestly look yourself in the mirror and say to yourself, 'If my partner needs me, I'm there for him.' Because if you need your partner, hopefully the reverse is true also.
-
Comment by LadyChaplain on January 27, 2009 at 3:28pm
-
My thoughts...
If you pass the test, and trust yourself to be interior -- then there is no sense in stopping. It is when you no longer feel as though you can trust yourself, or the test results indicate otherwise - that you may want to reconsider. Chica, you're not THAT old... okay, well compared to me, you are... but you know what I mean.
-
Comment by Will2745 on January 27, 2009 at 2:39pm
-
well, i I have been doing interior firefighting for 50 years and intend to go on for a few more,,its not the age, its how youfeel andif you are physically able todo the job.
-
Comment by Kimberly A Bownas on January 27, 2009 at 2:19pm
-
Thanks Joe. Good information.
-
Comment by Joe Stoltz on January 27, 2009 at 1:10pm
-
With the exception of the EKG and hearing tests, your physical exam is identical to what we have to go through every year. It's a pretty watered down examination, really.
I think that the PA was way out of line here. Even if she were a thoroughly experienced interior firefighter herself - which I'd rather doubt - she has no business dispensing this type of advice. Now, I have heard the respiratory tech who gives the "blow test" chew out 25 and 30 year old smokers for having the lungs of a 40 year old. While I secretly take delight in that, since I have 40 year old lungs in a 55 year old body, I suppose the tech is out of line too.
I think that at a minimum, a full stress echocardiogram should be given to those who might be of questionable physical status. Let the cardiologist review the results and give advice as to the amount of physical activity you can handle.
Unfortunately, there are firefighters who have had the full suite of tests, and passed, only to suffer cardiac death at a scene. Recent data suggests thickening of the blood due to inadequate hydration may cause these isolated occurrences, however it has happened.
At age 52 I decided to step away from the interior firefighting duties; not being a spring chicken anymore, I thought that my physical shape and lack of stamina was a liability to the others. More importantly, in reading the seemingly endless reports of LODDs due to cardiac failure, it began to occur to me that I was within the higher-risk age bracket and it could happen to me.
I reasoned that f I go down inside a burning structure because of physical problems, my buddies are going to be at greater risk trying to get my sorry butt out. Another far more important factor - I want to be around when our kids start having kids of their own; I don't want to check out prematurely inside some God-forsaken structure that was doomed even before the pager went off.
Still, I have stayed in a "reserve" interior status, getting my annual physical and trying to keep up with the younger lads and training. I'm actually in better shape now than I was then; but my excuse now is the white helmet.
Bottom line: Let us not kid ourselves. If you (not YOU, Kim) feel like you should change to exterior status, then do it. Don't try to pretend everything is fine if you are finding yourself at the limit of your endurance each time you go in. Denial can cost you your life, and possibly that of your fellow firefighters.
-
-
Thanks Capt. and Paul. I appreciate the in put and like I said I am so not changing from interior to exterior...
-
Comment by Paul Montpetit on January 27, 2009 at 12:50pm
-
Medical people know about as much about Firefighting as Firefighters do about brain surgery...if you passed your physical and continue to do so then I think that you are the one to make the call when enough is enough....Hell, I am 50 and I still go inside...and will for the foreseeable future...God willing....Stay safe....Damn the Torpedoes...Full speed ahead......Paul
-
-
LOL, thanks Art. It is nice to know that someone thinks the same way....
-
Comment by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on January 27, 2009 at 11:47am
-
Unless you have a mandatory retirement age, then age should have nothing to do with it.
Like you said; if you pass the physical, can perform all of the interior tasks, then that should determine whether you do it or not.
Age should have NOTHING to do with what we are capable of doing with the exception of drinking.
I believe in most states, you still need to be 21.
I plan on being a Toys R Us kid till the day I die.
TCSS.
Art
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- Next ›
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
You need to be a member of My Firefighter Nation to add comments!
Join My Firefighter Nation