Reasons for Rejection: Why People Fail to Qualify as Firefighters

Abstract

In the decade beginning 1 January 1985, 916 individuals (including five females) were medically examined with a view to joining the full-time service of Strathclyde Fire Brigade (SFB). One hundred and nine (11.9%), including two females, were rejected. The five main causes of failure were: ocular (n = 46, 42.2%); lack of stamina (n = 21, 19.2%); 'others' (n = 12, 11.0%); cardiovascular (n = 9, 8.3%) and orthopaedic (n = 6, 5.5%). Thirty-two had chest X-rays. One abnormality was found -an azygous lobe-but it played no part in the decision to decline the applicant. There was little life- or health-threatening pathology found. The most serious cases were murmurs consistent with mitral stenosis and regurgitation (one each), one case of ocular melanoma, four cases of hypertension and two cases of haematuria/ proteinuria (++). This study shows that potentially serious findings can occasionally be detected in a population of 18-30 year olds who might be expected to be of better than average fitness, and that routine chest X-rays are not helpful in the selection process.

Change in Lung Function over Time in Male Metropolitan Firefighters and General Population Controls: A 3‐year Follow‐up Study

“…Although there is a body of literature showing that the respiratory system undergoes various anatomical and physiological changes with age and that after 20−25 years of age, aging is associated with progressive decline in lung function 27,28) , this may be different for firefighters. Possible explanations for this are the selection of healthy and very fit men for service ("healthy worker effect") 29,30) , the regular use of self-contained breathing apparatus systems 14) , the strenuous physical demands that come with the job or a combination of these (and other) factors. Moreover, firefighters are likely to realize that physical training and looking after their (respiratory) health are a year-round commitment if they are to successfully meet the demands of their job 31) -which seems to be reflected in the low smoking rate (~10%) in our firefighter cohort.…”