For a world that’s more accessible to all strata of society, we usually encourage that we help the elderly or those who are disabled due to injury.
But there are some situations in which it might not be the best idea.
The Fire Service Department (FSD) apparently plans to go easy on firefighters over the age of 40 and those who are injured, replacing their annual fitness test’s three-mile (4.8-kilometre) run requirement with a one-mile (1.6-kilometre) walk, making us wonder why they even bother having an assessment at all.
The changes will be implemented next year, reports Apple Daily.
For a fireman aged between 40 and 44, the three-mile run has to be completed within 30 minutes. And for those who are allowed to walk for a mile instead (roughly the average distance between one 7-Eleven and the second nearest 7-Eleven), they have to finish within 13.5 minutes.
The planned change in regulations sparked debates, with many sceptical that the new requirements would not produce firefighters capable of saving citizens and helping teammates in an emergency (e.g. every day they go to work).
A FSD representative denied that the requirements were being relaxed, maintaining that a HKU report found that walking just one, singular mile reflects a person’s cardiovascular ability.
He also stressed that the different requirements would apply to only injured firefighters (including those who are not able to fully recover from injury and or those who have just been dicharged from hospital) who are aged 40 and above.
The FSD also plans to add a push-up and sit-and-reach component to the test, increasing the number of requirements from five to seven.
One frontline firefighter complained to Apple Daily about the new policy, saying that some of his current colleagues are obese and unfit and may not be able to fulfill their duties. (We’re guessing they’re not friends.)
Some, he claimed, weigh more than 200 pounds (90 kilos – and we’re assuming he doesn’t mean 90 kilos of muscle) and have repeatedly failed the annual three-mile run.
He says that the FSD, instead of penalising these firefighters, is changing the rules to accommodate the less-than-Crossfit fit.
Meanwhile, a rep for the FSD union said some firefighters are unable to pass the test due to work-related injuries to their lower body, and that they get stressed out about losing their jobs if the fail the run. Thus, he maintains, the new requirements are reasonable.
Just don’t try telling that to the people inside a burning flat as firefighters take a breather on their way up the stairs.
Photo: You Never Try, You Never Know via Flickr
