| The Firefighter Application Medical is undertaken at | | | | no worse than 6/18 , and in the weaker eye no |
| the Occupation Health Department where you will | | | | worse than 6/24. |
| be examined by a Doctor employed by the FRS. | | | | Distance acuity (The ability to focus on and |
| Your medical records will have been previously | | | | distinguish fine detail at 6 m or more with either |
| obtained from your GP with your consent. | | | | eye separately and together under a variety of |
| Before the Firefighter Application medical you will | | | | lighting conditions) is required to be at least 6/9 |
| be required to complete a questionnaire about | | | | with both eyes open and reach 6/12 in the |
| your previous medical history. This is a detailed | | | | weaker eye. |
| Firefighter medical questionnaire that will be | | | | Near vision - required to be able to read N12 at |
| discussed with you when you see the doctor at | | | | 30 cm with both eyes open without vision aids. |
| the end of the test. | | | | Have normal binocular vision. The required level of |
| Part of the Fire Fighter Medical will subject you to | | | | colour perception must be attained. Candidates |
| a number of medical tests to determine your | | | | with normal or slight colour blindness are accepted |
| health. The Firefighter Application Medical test | | | | subject to passing the test. The screening test is |
| includes: | | | | generally the Ishihara test with candidates showing |
| Lung Function test - you are given a tube in which | | | | any problematic signs requiring additional tests. |
| you must exhale as hard as you can until your | | | | The above will be examined during your |
| lungs are empty. A reading is taken of your lung | | | | Firefighter eyesight tests. |
| capacity and flow. | | | | Join the fire Brigade but I have had Eye Surgery? |
| Hearing test - you will sit in a sound proof booth | | | | Many applicants who have had refractive eye |
| with headphones on. A number of sounds are | | | | surgery are now accepted to join the fire service. |
| played in either ear. You are asked to press a | | | | You will be required to provide additional |
| button when you hear a sound. | | | | information and test results to the Occupational |
| Step test - your heart rate is registered as you | | | | Health Department that they will specify. this will |
| step up and down from a box. The rate of the | | | | be at your own cost. Additional information usually |
| steps gradually gets faster as the test | | | | includes the date you underwent your surgery ( |
| progresses. | | | | this must be at least 12 months prior to your |
| Physical Strength / Stamina - you will use a | | | | application date), details of your pre operative |
| machine to test your back and thigh strength | | | | refraction error, confirmation that you are no |
| when squatting. You are required to achieve a | | | | longer requiring medical treatment. Also: |
| minimum measurement. | | | | A slit lamp examination report to confirm that the |
| General Medical tests - the doctor will examine | | | | eye has returned to normal and that there is no |
| you generally and discuss the contents of your | | | | significant loss of corneal transparency over the |
| medical questionnaire with you. | | | | pupil area. |
| If you have any doubts or questions about your | | | | A report post Refraction, topographic examination |
| medical fitness to join the Fire Brigade you need | | | | and pachymetry to screen for keratectasia. |
| to speak to the relevant Occupation Health | | | | Applicants should also have their vision assessed |
| Department of the Service you have applied to | | | | using a technique sensitive to the presence of |
| join. They will be able to answer your questions. | | | | scattered light and aberrations. |
| Firefighter Eyesight requirements. | | | | These assessments can be done by your local |
| An additional part of the Firefighter Medical Tests | | | | optometrist. If you have any questions with |
| will include the Firefighter eyesight test. The | | | | regard to the eyesight standards to become a |
| firefighter eyesight requirements are: | | | | Firefighter contact the relevant Occupational |
| Distance vision (Uncorrected) in the stronger eye | | | | Health Department who will be able to advise you. |