Augusta-Richmond County Firefighters Will Have Mandatory Physicals This Summer

For the first time in at least six years, Augusta-Richmond County firefighters will have mandatory physicals this summer.

On April 17, the Augusta Commission approved using University Health Services as the vendor for the physicals, which will now be a requirement every year going forward, according to Chief Chris James. The test will also be a prerequisite for hiring by the department.

"It's going to be a positive in the long run," James said. "It will assure we have firefighters that are able to do the job a firefighter has to be able to do."

The physicals will be the standard National Fire Protection Association 1582, which the organization recommends for every fire department nationwide. 1582 was last updated in 2007 and is being reviewed this year; a new version will be available in 2013, according to the organization's Web site. It includes tests ranging from a blood analysis to vision exams.

The next step, now that the vendor has been awarded, is to finalize the contract with University, James said. It should be done in the next few weeks. He will then meet with the hospital to determine how many firefighters can be tested at once and organize a schedule. He hopes to start testing this summer.

James stressed that it is purely a health test for fire suppression personnel.

"If someone has a condition they don't know about that can put citizens and other firefighters in harm's way, we need to take care of it," he said.

He used the example of a firefighter who may have diabetes and is not aware of it. If the firefighter had an episode while driving the truck or climbing a ladder, it could endanger the rest of the crew and Augusta residents.

The test will also lessen the liability of the department and the city commission by tackling these health issues up front, he said.

If a firefighter does not pass the test, James said, the next step will be to see if the condition is treatable. If it is, the firefighter will be given time to have it treated.

If it is an untreatable condition that will hinder the firefighter's job, that person will be given the chance to look at other opportunities within the department and city government.

"It could save a firefighter's life if we find something they didn't know about," James said.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service