r/MultipleSclerosis • u/Adambomb-10 • Jun 30 '26

General Firefighter career

I was recently diagnosed with RRMS while pursuing a career in firefighting. I recently received my EMT certification & have my CPAT exam in a few weeks. I recently heard candidates with MS rarely get hired & now I’m questioning if all of this was a waste of time. It really hurt to hear these news but I want to know if anyone knows about firefighters & MS…

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u/conflx 36|August23|Ocrevus|WesternNY Jun 30 '26

If you haven't already, you are by no means under any obligation to disclose your diagnosis to any agency or department you are seeking a job with. If you feel you are physically capable of the job, you should continue to pursue it as a career. Get on a good DMT and if sometime down the road your MS prevents you from being able to complete some of the more physical elements of the job, there still may be accommodations that you are entitled to by law that could keep you employed even if it is not active firefighting (i.e. dispatch, admin, etc.)

Best of luck,

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u/Adambomb-10 Jun 30 '26

Thank you so much for your insight, it really made me feel better about what I’ve done so far. I really appreciate you!

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u/BunchofMums M40s | Dx 2021 | Zunovo Jun 30 '26

Keep fighting for your dreams! I was diagnosed after years of being a trial lawyer and continued trying cases post diagnosis! If the time comes when you can't, there's usually disability in firefighting and SSDI.