Every firefighter in British Columbia must undergo a mandatory pre-employment firefighter medical test in order to show they are fit and healthy enough to perform their duties safely.
Pre-employment firefighter medical test take about an hour and adhere strictly to the NFPA 1582 health and safety standards adopted by the National Fire Protection Association.
We also offer periodic firefighter medical test exams to fire halls and fire chiefs looking to monitor and maintain the ongoing general health of their firefighters.
Periodic firefighter medical test are not mandatory, but should be because of the unique health risks associated with firefighting and to maintain a healthy and effective team.
We also offer a mobile periodic firefighter medical test exam service where our team of doctors and nurses set up a temporary clinic and examine your staff on-site.
We review the general health of a firefighter applicant, look for pre-existing medical conditions and establish a medical baseline for ongoing monitoring.
We also identify any problems that could affect an individual in relation to their work and safety.
The physical includes the following:
- A personal medical questionnaire
- A full physical exam
- An audiogram (hearing test)
- Visual acuity testing
- Colour vision testing
- An ECG/EKG (Electrocardiograph)
- Spirometry (A lung function test, where necessary)
The physician’s report specifies if a prospective firefighter meets the required standards and to what level.
It is not a complete disclosure of the applicant’s medical history.
The process is very similar to a pre-employment medical exam except it is ongoing and includes three levels of escalating service: FIRE FIT, FIRE FIT PRO and FIVE ALARM FIRE FIT.
Each exam is a personalized health solution for employees with different needs.
Here’s what you get with each of the plans:
FIRE FIT
A personal medical questionnaire
An in-depth review of your family history and risk factors
A physical exam
An audiogram
Visual acuity testing
An ECG/EKG (Electrocardiograph)
Spirometry (A lung function test)
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Bend and Reach testing
Complete blood testing
FIT testing (colon cancer screening using stool sample)
*If you are a first-time firefighter participant under the age of 45 we recommend the FIRE FIT periodic medical exam.
FIRE FIT PRO
All the elements of FIRE FIT.
PLUS a CT cardiac calcium score to assess heart disease risk.
FIVE ALARM FIRE FIT
All elements of the FIRE FIT and FIRE FIT PRO plans.
PLUS a colonoscopy (when age, sex and associated risk factors determine need).
*If you are over the age of 45 or have significant risk factors we recommend the FIVE ALARM FIRE FIT periodic medical exam.
We do!
Contact our Richmond office, schedule an appointment and we’ll send a mobile medical clinic to your location where our team of doctors and staff will examine your firefighters on-site.
NOTE: You need a minimum of 10 employees to qualify for this service.
At our main office in Richmond or at any of our 9 convenient province-wide affiliate offices.