Firefighter academy: Firefighter training.

Pre-requisites

The Académie des Pompiers will only accept students who have successfully complete their High School Diploma on the day classes begin including mathematics 416 and 514 or mathematics 426 or 436.. In order for your application to be considered you must complete a Request for Admission Questionnaire and submit the following mandatory documents before April 1:

• Original High School Diploma.
• Original Last Official High School Grades Transcript.
• Original Birth Certificate.
• 2 Passport-size pictures. (recent, white background only)
• 1 Curriculum Vitae.
• A one page motivational letter.
• Results from a recent medical examination. (less than 6 months old)
• Results from a recent optometry eye exam. (less than 6 months old)
• A money order in the amount of $60 or the equivalent in cash.
• A return envelop properly identified with (1) your address and (2) prepaid for the correct amount in order for us to return to you the original documents submitted.

Medical Examination

General State

Make sure you do not present such symptoms as skeletal malformation, skin diseases preventing you from wearing the required protective gears or acute breathing problems requiring you to use facial respiratory apparatus or dorsal respiratory bottles.

Visual and Auditory Norms

A binocular vision which is not corrected is mandatory and must be no lower than 20/40 or -20/40. Visual field can’t be restricted. Contact lenses are not allowed. Auditory troubles preventing you from hearing the spoken voice at a regular volume will fail to meet the standards of admission.

Medical Evaluations of Candidates based on NFPA 1582
(National Fire Protection Associations)

As reference

From a medical point of view, a firefighter’s job calls for sudden strenuous physical tasks being performed in a hypoxic environment often polluted by vapours and smoke. Thermal conditions are hard and accentuated by the heavy and uncomfortable wear of firefighter gears. The risks of injury by fall, collapse or explosion is constant possibility and is an additional factor of stress while performing firefighter duties such as rescue missions. Being a firefighter is about team work where your judgement or the one of a colleague can make all the difference between successfully completing a mission or not. Furthermore, medical conditions can affect a candidate’s ability to safely perform essential job tasks. This is why the medical examiner needs to make sure health requirements are being meet so the firefighter can perform the essential job tasks without posing a significant safety or health risk to himself, members of his team, or civilians.

Heart and Vascular System

Coronary artery disease, with or without history of myocardial infarction and hypertension not controlled by approved medication, whether moderate or high, is cause for non-admission. Any contracted or congenital heart disease or ventricular arrhythmia, depending on the clinical and stressed test results, will be potential cause for non-admission. When in doubt and due to obvious work-related risks, it would be best to undergo a full cardiovascular medical examination.

Respiratory System

Any disease or illness which can be worsened by occupational exposure must be considered. Any pulmonary condition that results in a person not being able to safely perform essential job tasks will be cause for non-admission.

Muscular and Skeletal System

Any muscular or bone related condition, either acute or chronic, or any ankylosis or amputation of a body part impeding the firefighter in his movements or manual gripping strength, therefore exposing him to injuries or fall, will be cause for non-admission.

Neuropsychiatry State

Any disorder or condition, either acute or chronic, of the central nervous system or peripherals having direct effect on the intellectual capacities resulting in abnormal motor activity, balance and dyscoordination will be cause for non-admission.

Other Systems

Any renal, metabolic or endocrinal illness which is not properly controlled will be cause for non-admission. Digestive, urinary and genital problems will be evaluated in regards to the firefighter functions. Neoplasm and acute haematopoietic system illnesses will be cause for non-admission.

Toxicology

The effects of daily medication on an applicant or any history of over-medication or drug dependency will be cautiously considered.

Medical Evaluation

The following tests are recommended only when in doubt regarding your general health state and can help you determine if you are fit to become a firefighter:

• Pulmonary X-Ray
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Cholesterol and Triglycerides
• Glycaemia
• Optometric Eye Exam
• Audiogram

Other Requirements

Due to requirements pertaining to modules 1 to 27 of the Fire Safety Intervention program, the performing of fire safety functions or the medical assessment of a doctor, some other factors can be cause for non-admission. Further examination can therefore be requested.