I am Legally Blind and NFPA 1582 Says I can't Drive.... - Firehouse Forums

lwillard · 10-12-2007, 08:33 PM

Hello,
I have recently been removed from my driving privledges with my fire department. This is due to the NFPA 1582 Standard. FYI, I went throught the apparatus course which complied with NFPA 1002 Standards, as well as drive for almost two years. All of a sudden the FD Physician decides I am unsafe to drive. In the time I drove I had no complaints from anyone including officers,firefighters as well as the general public. Kentucky has a state medical waiver for monocular vision that would allow me to qualify for a CDL licence. Kentucky is an OSHA state not an NFPA state. The disturbing part of this whole ordeal is that I am being denied my rank, and in my opinion discriminated against given that several other members of my department have Category A medical conditions per NFPA. How am I being denied my rank? Doesn't the Americans with Disabilities Act apply to the fire service. Since I passed the drivers course and drove for two years, arn't I qualified? Why pick on me???

Stewart

KenNFD1219 · 10-12-2007, 08:50 PM

Are you a member of a union? They know the ins and outs of the contract and labor law and should make sure any action taken against you was fair and for just cause.

While no state is an NFPA state, state OSHA or an individual entity may adopt an NFPA standard and make it part of their regulations.

Interestingly, 34 states allow legally blind people to test for a drivers license.

10-12-2007, 08:33 PM	#1
lwillard MembersZone Subscriber Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1	I am Legally Blind and NFPA 1582 Says I can't Drive.... Hello, I have recently been removed from my driving privledges with my fire department. This is due to the NFPA 1582 Standard. FYI, I went throught the apparatus course which complied with NFPA 1002 Standards, as well as drive for almost two years. All of a sudden the FD Physician decides I am unsafe to drive. In the time I drove I had no complaints from anyone including officers,firefighters as well as the general public. Kentucky has a state medical waiver for monocular vision that would allow me to qualify for a CDL licence. Kentucky is an OSHA state not an NFPA state. The disturbing part of this whole ordeal is that I am being denied my rank, and in my opinion discriminated against given that several other members of my department have Category A medical conditions per NFPA. How am I being denied my rank? Doesn't the Americans with Disabilities Act apply to the fire service. Since I passed the drivers course and drove for two years, arn't I qualified? Why pick on me??? Stewart Last edited by lwillard; 10-12-2007 at 08:34 PM. Reason: left something out

10-12-2007, 08:50 PM	#2
KenNFD1219 IACOJ PTB-FTM Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,036	Are you a member of a union? They know the ins and outs of the contract and labor law and should make sure any action taken against you was fair and for just cause. While no state is an NFPA state, state OSHA or an individual entity may adopt an NFPA standard and make it part of their regulations. Interestingly, 34 states allow legally blind people to test for a drivers license. __________________ ------------------- IACOJ "The most mediocre man or woman can suddenly seem dynamic, forceful, and decisive if he or she is mean enough." from "Crazy Bosses" ----------------------------------------------- Genius has its limits, but stupidity is boundless. Last edited by KenNFD1219; 10-12-2007 at 09:04 PM.

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