Becoming a firefighter means you must pass rigorous fitness requirements. There is also an agility and physical test as well as a written exam.
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Is there a height and weight requirement for firefighters. This check must be clear before the candidate can be accepted. The requirement qualification or factor is reasonable and bona fide in the circumstances height and weight as bona fide occupational requirements. These requirements vary slightly between fire departments but the basics typically remain the same nationwide. Jane a female who has wanted to be a firefighter all of her life applied for a position on the newton fire department but was not hired because she did not meet the minimum height and weight requirements. A written exam is also part of the requirement to be a firefighter. Policy on height and weight requirements a.
However there is no minimum or maximum height stated in the criteria for firefighters. There also may be a personality test to measure your ability to withstand the stress of emergency rescue situations. There is an initial exam before you enter fire training school to determine your cognitive skills and basic abilities in regards to reading writing and mathematics. Males who are 5 feet and 8 inches should get their weight down to 169 pounds. The only requirement ive seen is height and weight combination. These recommendations but you are very muscular then you are probably ok.
There is a growing epidemic of obesity in the united states and the fire and emergency services are not immune. In order to become a firefighter you will need a valid drivers license and meet the age requirement of 18 years old. Between 73 to 88 percent of firefighters are overweight or obese. Every inch above 58 add 5 pounds. For example a male who is 6 feet tall should these weights are only general guidelines as we use body fatcontent and not weight to make the final decision. The test for determining whether an occupational requirement is bona fide was established by the supreme court of canada in ontario human rights.
Candidates may also undergo tests to determine their physical and mental resilience. The candidates typically wear a 50 pound weighted vest or full firefighting gear during the timed tests. This data was used by apparatus manufactures as well as the national fire protection association nfpa apparatus committee to set new standards for. I know on la countys website their have requirements. These requirements disqualified approximately 80 of all women but only 5 of all men. This is directly from their site.
In fact studies have shown that rates of overweight and obese individuals in the fire service are higher than those found in the general public. Newtons fire department had a minimum height and weight requirement for its firefighters. We partnered with fire departments to collect data on firefighter size and weight which lead to the publication of the fama firefighter anthropometric data white paper the following year. Meet basic requirements to become a firefighter.
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