Some of our volunteer roles can be physically and psychologically demanding. Most roles require applicants to complete a medical check. Depending on the role, applicants will be asked to get a full medical assessment with their GP or to conduct their own.

These are not just for the safety of new recruits but for the whole crew and community.

For queries about volunteer medicals, email volly.applications@fireandemergency.nz

or call:

  • Vanessa Ross DDI 04 498 5685 or mobile 027 256 5031
  • Caitlin Smith DDI 04 806 4159 or mobile 027 2166794
  • Sophie Lewes DDI 04 474 4825 or mobile 027 531 8608

Role

Medical check

Relevant form

Firefighter - BA wearing (attends structure fires)

Applicant completes a full medical check with their GP. If the applicant has any history of asthma, they will also be required to complete saline testing.

Breathing apparatus user volunteer medical assessment(external link)

Firefighter (doesn’t enter structure fires)

Applicant completes full medical check with their GP

Non-breathing apparatus users and medical responder volunteer medical assessment(external link)

Medical first responders

Applicant completes full medical check with their GP

Non-breathing apparatus users and medical responder volunteer medical assessment(external link)

Medical co-responders

Applicant completes full medical check with their GP 

Non-breathing apparatus users and medical responder volunteer medical assessment(external link)

Operational support

 Applicant completes self medical form 

Operational support volunteer self-medical assessment form.

Brigade support

No medical required

 

 

Applicants wishing to become a firefighter who enters structure fires will be required to wear breathing apparatus. If they have a history of asthma (including childhood asthma), they must complete a saline test. Saline tests are only available at certain providers.

The Volunteer Recruitment Team will contact the applicant, set up the appointment and reimburse volunteers for their travel expenses. It usually takes about a month for an appointment to be set up, and another fortnight for the results to come through.

The results are sent direct to the Volunteer Recruitment Team. We will contact the applicant direct to advise the outcome. If the applicant does not pass the saline test, we will talk with the brigade leaders about the possibility of another volunteer role.

Saline tests have a low failure rate – approximately 85% of applicants pass the test.

The applicant must complete the expense claim form to claim these expenses

Applicants wishing to become a firefighter who enters structure fires will be required to wear breathing apparatus. Applicants who do not meet the eyesight standard must wear contact lenses.

The applicant is responsible for the cost of contact lenses.

What happens with the results? 

The medical results are sent direct to the Volunteer Recruitment Team. The team will inform the applicant directly and brigade leader through weekly report

We do our best to put new recruits into roles which are best suited for them.

If an applicant doesn’t pass the medical check required for their preferred role, the Volunteer Recruitment Team will advise the brigade leader and applicant by email. We will work with the brigade to identify whether there are other volunteer opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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