FDNY Medical Exam Questions

[babhits16 28]

Does anybody know the medical requirements for the FDNY? I have had some cardiac problems in the past and somethings that will show up on an EKG, but the doctors say I can still do anything, no restrictions. I can run, workout, go to work, literally anything.

- I have a SLIGHTLY raised QT interval.

- An AV block would appear on my EKG, but I have had this since I was a baby.

- And a winky block (each heartbeat goes faster, faster, faster, then drops a beat, then repeats this cycle

Yes I have these issues and they will show up. I have seen every doctor possible, literally, I've seen one who comes in from Italy only a few times each year. But all of them keep telling me that I'm ok, it won't affect me, and it DOES NOT present a danger. Could I still be employed in the FDNY?

[Goose 188]

Does anybody know the medical requirements for the FDNY? I have had some cardiac problems in the past and somethings that will show up on an EKG, but the doctors say I can still do anything, no restrictions. I can run, workout, go to work, literally anything.

- I have a SLIGHTLY raised QT interval.

- An AV block would appear on my EKG, but I have had this since I was a baby.

- And a winky block (each heartbeat goes faster, faster, faster, then drops a beat, then repeats this cycle

Yes I have these issues and they will show up. I have seen every doctor possible, literally, I've seen one who comes in from Italy only a few times each year. But all of them keep telling me that I'm ok, it won't affect me, and it DOES NOT present a danger. Could I still be employed in the FDNY?

The Wenckebach is an AV block (2nd Degree Type 1) which causes you're PR interval to elongate (heart rate doesn't really increase) until the sinus node's stimulus is not conducted through the AV node (you're ventricles don't contract). And i think you're referring to an elongated QT syndrome.

I'm not a physician and no representative of the FDNY, but i think these types of cardiac conduction abnormalities may, in fact, become an issue if you were to go through the application process with the FDNY. I don't think anyone can tell you for sure, you would have to go through the process - i am sure you would get "flagged" and would probably need to go through some more testing/evaluation and then possibly appeals processes (if you were denied).

More importantly, maintain a healthy lifestyle, stay away form tobacco and check in with you're physicians regularly! Good luck!

Edited October 5, 2011 by Goose

[ny10570 745]

No matter what anyone tells you, get documentation from as many specialists as you can and then go after the job. Have them be specific that this condition will in no way prohibit you from performing the tasks and meeting the standards required by the FDNY. If they deny you, appeal. People have been successful appealing the initial decision of the doc.

[voltage1256 42]

no clue about heart related issues, but the guy above is 100% correct. keep every single piece of paper a doctor gives you and keep it laminated, and in a folder, ready to show an examiner. If your saying you've seen all these doctors and all of them come to the same conclusion you are fine then you should be fine. By fine I mean medically, as to if that meets the standards of the FDNY I have no clue. But if they say "no" atleast you'll have all of your medical evidence to appeal to them.

Best of Luck!

[M' Ave 1,466]

No matter what anyone tells you, get documentation from as many specialists as you can and then go after the job. Have them be specific that this condition will in no way prohibit you from performing the tasks and meeting the standards required by the FDNY. If they deny you, appeal. People have been successful appealing the initial decision of the doc.

100% Correct. I'm willing to bet that you will indeed have some bumps in the road, but they by no means bar you from gaining employment. There are many roads to go down and oportunities to explore so make sure you cross all your T's and dot all the I's.

Best of luck.