FITNESS FOR DUTY EVALUATIONS IN HAZARDOUS MATERIALS FIREFIGHTERS

We analyzed results from the medical examinations of 340 hazardous mat erials firefighters and applied various objective standards in simulat ed fitness for duty determinations. Ten percent had elevated blood pre ssures, 13% had far visual acuity worse than 20/30 in one or both eyes , and 38% had abnormal audiometry. The strictest standards for resting blood pressure and corrected visual acuity would have failed 2% and 1 % of the cohort, respectively. For audiometry, 0%-5% of the cohort wou ld have failed, depending on the hearing requirements set. The stricte st hearing standard did not allow for corrective devices so that few f ailures would be reversible. Visual and audiometric testing and measur ement of resting blood pressure all have significant clinical yields. Studies of simulated firefighting are needed to establish minimum hear ing requirements and determine whether corrective devices can be worn safely during duty.