Firefighter Health

While the standard calls upon Fire Departments to determine their own essential job functions based on a job analysis, unique community characteristics and service types, in actuality, a comprehensive community risk assessment provides for an excellent overview of the essential job functions that may vary by type of community risk, service demand, geography and other regionally unique factors.

Firefighters under NFPA 1582 should have a baseline examination, followed by an annual medical evaluation that provides for specific measurement parameters that an individual and department medical physician can use to determine readiness to work.

At FirstCare Medical, we work with the individual departments to determine which services are needed for their own healthcare program.  Customized “packages” are set up and implemented for the department.

Some of the services that can be provided are:

  • Baseline Physical Exam
  • Pulmonary Function Test & Respirator Clearance (includes OSHA form)
  • Quantitative Respirator Mask Fit Testing
  • Lifting Assessment
  • EKG
  • Labs – Blood testing: Customized based on needs
  • Drug testing
  • Breath Alcohol Testing
  • Chest X Ray
  • DOT Physicals
  • Return to duty evaluation: Customized based on needs
  • Tuberculosis screening (PPD)
  • Hepatitis B series
  • Tetanus Immunization
  • Flu Shots
  • Injury/Illness Office Visit

Firefighter Night:

FirstCare Medical understands that many firefighters are volunteers and have full time jobs.  This limits their availability.  This is why we have established a “Firefighter Physical Night”.   From approximately 6pm – 9pm, your firefighters can come in and have their own space, apart from any other patients at our facility, to perform these physicals.  It has proven very efficient and effective getting the firefighters in and out in a timely fashion without the wait.  If they cannot make the evening slotted, they are welcome to have them done during business hours at our Urgent Care Center.  These are set up with the firehouse beforehand.