As part of your application to become a firefighter, you will be asked to provide medical and health information at an early stage so we can ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in our assessments.
It will also be necessary for you to undergo an eyesight test and medical examination later in the recruitment process.
For your eyesight test, you will be asked to attend an appointment with one of our approved opticians, who will assess your vision in line with our eyesight entry standards – visual acuity, colour vision and field of vision – and advise the Service of any visual difficulties detected. If you have any concerns about your eyesight, you may wish to attend your local Specsavers prior to this stage of the recruitment process.
For your medical examination, which includes a hearing test, you will be invited to attend one of our Occupational Health Units.
Eyesight standards
As part of the recruitment process, you will need to complete an eyesight test at your local Specsavers opticians. The optician will check your vision against our eyesight standards. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, please take them with you to the appointment.
We will give you a form for the optician to complete. You must return the completed form to the Service before you attend your occupational health appointment.
Our required standards are as follows:
- Uncorrected visual acuity of 6/60 in each eye.
- Corrected visual acuity of 6/9 using both eyes together, with at least 6/12 in the weaker eye.
- No more than +8.00 dioptres of hypermetropia in either eye.
- Ability to read N12 at 30cm, using both eyes together and with any required correction.
- A visual field that meets the following requirements:
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- An uninterrupted horizontal field of at least 160°
- Extensions of at least 70° to the left and 70° to the right
- Extensions of at least 30° above and 30° below the horizontal plane
- No significant defect within 70° to the left and 70° to the right, between 30° above and 30° below the horizontal plane. A total of up to three missed points is acceptable, whether or not they are next to each other.
- No defect within the central 30° radius.
- No other impairment of visual function, including glare sensitivity, reduced contrast sensitivity, double vision, or impaired twilight vision, where confirmed by an eye care professional.
- No history of night blindness or eye disease that is likely to progress and cause you to fall below the visual standards required for serving firefighters in the future.
- An appropriate level of colour perception. More information about colour blindness testing is provided below.
- You must not have had refractive eye surgery within the last 12 months.
Colour blindness testing
Firefighters need to be able to recognise colours accurately as part of their role. Colour perception is checked through the recruitment eyesight testing process.
Step 1: Ishihara colour test
This test is completed at your local Specsavers opticians as part of the standard eyesight test.
- If you pass the Ishihara colour test, you will not need to take any further colour blindness tests.
- If you do not pass the Ishihara colour test, this does not automatically mean you are unsuitable for the role. You may be able to take further colour vision testing to help assess your suitability.
Step 2: Nagel Anomaloscope test
- If further testing is needed, our Health and Wellbeing Team will arrange a referral after your medical appointment. The Nagel Anomaloscope test is completed at City University, London.
If you have any concerns about your eyesight, including possible colour vision issues, we strongly recommend booking an eye test with your local Specsavers before you start the selection process. This can give you reassurance and help avoid disappointment later in the process if you do not meet the required eyesight standards.
Medical assessment
The medical will include:
- Height
- Weight
- Blood pressure
- Blood glucose test (finger prick or by urine sample)
- Eye test – near and distance vision (with and without spectacles if worn)
- Breathing test (lung function)
- Hearing test (audiometry)
- Fitness assessment – Chester Treadmill Walk Test (please refer to this useful guidance document on what this involves)
Hearing standards
Applicants for firefighting who meet the H2 standard should be considered fit for role. Applicants who score lower than H2 may be required to undertake additional functional testing before a decision on fitness can be determined.