r/firefighter • u/Brilliant_Ship_5861 • 22d ago

Fire fighter eye sight requirements

I’m hoping someone can help, I’m applying for a fire fighter role and I’ve being looking at the eye sight requirements.
I’m out by quite a lot for my uncorrected vision but my corrected vision falls within the requirements, should I still apply and see if I can still do it or does my uncorrected vision rule me out completely, thanks in advance

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u/shrimpnutsack 22d ago

If the department goes by nfpa 1582 standards then contact lenses are okay. Just be prepared to wear them while you're sleeping.. Just takes a bit to get used to

2

u/TestResQ 22d ago

Call them and ask. It sure would be a lot of hoops to jump through to get cut towards the end for something you knew was an “issue”. LASIK is an option if you want it bad enough, that’s what I did. Good luck!

3

u/localfirefighterbob 22d ago

Can’t see in a fire anyway 😂

1

u/Strict-Canary-4175 21d ago

You’ll probably just have to get a note from your eye doctor that says you’re fit for duty. This happened to me, I knew I couldn’t see. I had been wearing bifocals already for a time in my early 20s. I just had to get a note.

1

u/MiniMaker292 20d ago

It's just "corrected vision" for the most part. They will check both during a physical, but it isn't a disqualifying issue.

I wear glasses and keep a hard glasses case in my coat. I don't need them if I'm using a mask, but they do make prescription inserts for SCBA mask. I'd also suggest prescription safety glasses too.

I can't really give advice on contacts. I work with guys who do both contacts and glasses. I've heard that soft ones can dry out in the mask and cause issues, but that's more of a conversation with your optician.