Need advice from any firefighting families here.....

[mjvans]

My husband who has been a firefighter for 27 years had a heart attack in March while on a fire. Fortunately, he had a quad bypass and suffered no heart damage. His doctors agree he has made remarkable progress, and his cardiologist has released him to return to active duty. I have to say that I was a bit shocked that his doctor would seriously release him but Jay has passed all tests,including all physical fitness/ teadmill/ stress tests with such a high dregree of success that his doctor believes that his past heart attack is not at issue. He actually is physically better now than he has been in years. As he just turned 50 and firefighting has been his life's work, Jay really would like to return. The dept has refused to accept his return to work slip from his cardiologist and really does not want him coming back. They view him as a liability rather than an asset. His own partner has assured me that if he is in a fire with Jay in the future, his exact words to me were "I'd have to leave Jay if he collapsed to fight the fire" and "There would be no way I could get Jay out if he went down again? How is that for warm fuzzy brotherhood amongst these men. His own chief asked me to call his physician and tell him that Jay could not return to work in an attempt to possibly change his diagnosis...........I was beyond stunned. At this point, I really can not encourage Jay to fight for his job if the work surroundings or so negative, although, I would like Jay to go out on his own terms, rather than being pushed out. The medical disability will be 60% off his gross pay , tax -free and Jay will get medical coverage for life. That sounds enticing to most people, but for someone like Jay, who only wants to be a firefighter, this is crushing. Not to mention, the fact that he worries about not being able to support me and our four children on this pension. So much of me wants to scream and go down there and raise holy hell, but a part of me feels the need to take a backseat and just pray that the outcome for Jay will be a good one. They are reviewing his case now with a recently appointed dept doctor that will surely say he can not return . That seems inevitable. I am just so stressed and am asking for prayers, thoughts, advice and opinions. If you know of any other recourse, please let me know!! Thanks!! We are going on our four day wonder cruise at the end of the month, and I'm hoping we can just relax knowing the future is bright!
Michelle

 

[Tiggeroo]

Could he transition into something like the fire academy or arson squad? My father was a fireman and due to alot of city/department changes he was forced/chose an early retirement. He then took another city job where his pension money rolled over.

 

[MouseClubMom]

I was thinking the same thing. I know when DH was having some medical issues they put him at Dispatch so that he could keep working. I know it is not the SAME but your DH's safety is more important. It sounds like it would be a hostile work environment if he went back and the stress from that would not be a good thing at all!

Legally I dont think they can keep him from returning if his doctor releases him though. Might want to check with an attorney for more info on the laws in your state.

Good luck! Hugs from another firefighter's wife!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hi Michelle, and a from a dad of a new firefighter here. My guy, Vince, is where your Jay was 27 years ago, new to the force and FF life. I will ask him if he any thoughts, though not sure what he might add.

I would think they are thinking of the overall safety of all, Jay, and his brothers, in the event of a recurrence. I think as mentioned above, more of an administrative job or one not actually on the front line as a FF, though certainly tough to one who lives and breathes the life.

Regarding the retirement on disability, one thing to remember, 60% tax free, if entirely tax free, is equal to about 85% taxable. So that part is not all that bad, though still, he would much rather be there as one of the FF's.

My very best, Michelle, for Jay, and you, and hoping the Wonder cruise provides some of the magic you guys could use right now.

's

 

[Mickey Nut 50]

Could he go into Fire Prevention? We have a Lt. who hurt his back while fighting a fire, couldn't go back on the line, but did go into prevention, and has been wonderful in that job. He has really been an asset to the department. He's retiring this month.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Talked to Vince, he agrees (remember, he is new at this) that some alternate position might be good, and see how it is maybe a year down the road. Also, if there is a union, have they been talked to? Again, Michelle, my best. Vince's too, for a brother.

 

[danacara]

I agree w/Dan, sounds like the general counsel at his union might be able to help.

 

[phillybeth]

Definitely check with the union and an employment attorney and see what his rights are. I also agree about considering a position in an allied field like training, education, dispatch, prevention, etc. Is your DH an EMT as well? That could be an option. How about volunteer departments in your area- they are always looking for experienced guys to mentor and teach.

 

[LScot]

Good advice, I think!

Man, if your DH is doing that well, he is probably in better shape than 50% of the FF there! I'll tell you one thing--his partner--the guy that said he'd leave him, well, I'd have a BIG problem with him. Your DH could go down for any number of reasons. Heck, a new guy could go down for any reason. That doesn't seem like any partner I'd want my DH to have!

At 50, I think it is time to think of other alternatives anyway. My DH is 44 and been fighting fires since he graduated from college. Having that degree has been a blessing for him though. Seems like he can walk into any type of FF related job. His heart is still in a dept. but I think he knows that at 50 that is not where he'll want to be. He is a FF at a nuclear power plant now. Your DH needs to expand his options. He could take the deal and work on other options. Mine is about to start working on his master's in safety. He'd be able to go many, many places with that.

I wish the best for your DH and you! I'm sure it'd be hard to give it up but at the same time, you know what kind of FF your DH is. But in case of emergency what matters is is partner and he sounds like a total jerk!

Do they have a Union? We have a FF who received a kidney transplant and everyone wondered about his returning to work. Another FF from the dept. was the donor--NOW THAT's a partner! . Both a doing well and are able to do their jobs.

 

[GeorgeG]

There are several issues at hand here. Obviously, Jay, like many other firefighters, chose the career for more than just a paycheck. There's a certain passion, if you will, about fighting fires that draws and keeps people to this, whether pro or volunteer. It's hard to let go, even when you know in your heart you shouldn't be doing it anymore.

I didn't read anything about having to be cleared by a department doctor. Most departments and other industries usually require their own doctor to give the green light for a return to work for any age, regardless of what your personal doctor says.

I have an issue with the colleague who said he would have to leave Jay fallen to fight the fire. Human life is always a priority, no matter what. This guy is wrong unless he's just trying to convince you it's time to stop fighting fires. Even then, he could have been a little more sensitive.

While not a pro, I've been a volunteer firefighter for forty years in a NYC suburb and have served through all ranks including chief. Even the volunteers now have to be physically certified on a regular basis depending on their age. It's a good thing. We have to qualify for "interior" or "exterior" firefighting to even be on the fire scene. Just this year I relucantly chose to go to "administrative" status due to an increasing list of ailments. It's hard to come to grips with the fact you just can do all the things you used to do.

If Jay is, in fact, physically certified fit to fight fires, then he should do that for as long as he's capable. However, with the recent medical history it's essential he have regular check-ups to make sure he's still capable and to know when it's time to hang up the helmet.

I hope it all works out for both of you.

 

[mjvans]

I appreciate all that took the time to offer advice and support. Unfortunately, at this dept, they do not offer nor create other positions. If you can not return to full active status as a firefighter, you basically do not have a job to return to. That is when disability thus is offered. Jay is both a firefighter (engineer) and EMT. They respond to both aid calls as well as all fire related calls. You have to do both. I do believe some have genuine concern for Jay's well-being, but I also know there is a lot of politics and self serving opinions on why he should not come back. He has the seniority and the number 1 firefighting positition and while he has been gone, his partner has been filling his shoes and does not wish to go back down the ladder. Thus his strategy of informing me that he could not save Jay if he went down in another fire. (Let me say, that Jay got himself out of the house himself when he had his attack and had no help from his partner!) I guess I'm just bitter as Jay has given so much of himself for all these years and has go little support. 95% of the staff question why he wants to return and most would just take the money and run. That tells me a lot about the people and the dept. No one other than Jay truly loves what they are doing there. That is sad. The chief is convinced that if Jay returns he will die of a heart attackwithin a year..........I asked him to read Jay's doctor's report and findings and he said he doesn't need to as he KNOWS his doctor is wrong and Jay will die if he returns. I guess I take issue with this as Jay is my husband, the father of fmy children and the love of my life. I have as much vested in our life together, have as much at stake and certainly a lot to lose if Jay returns and then dies, but I truly do not have that worry as being with him from the time it occurred until the day he was released, I am convinced he can do the job. I worry more if he could not return as this is not his job, it is his calling! Heck, Jay did not even feel like he was having an attack.......he just could not breathe and got light headed. He was treated at the scene for dehydration and taken in for observation. He never even had a chest pain . As his doctors explained to us, his heart was fine (not damaged at all luckily) it was his arteries surrounding the heart that were damaged. On his stress test, he scored in the 90% for men his age, so indeed there were only 10% of the populus that could have done any better.......and these are not the percent of men his agethat have had a heart attack, this is generally for men in his age group. However, having said all this, I am beginning to feel that maybe it is time to just leave as my concerns now arewith this dept and not my husband's health. Thanks again!
Michelle

 

[Dan Murphy]

So sad that is, Michelle. My best for Jay, you and family. 's


Dan

 

[snoopy]

What a sad situation. I don't have any advice, just best wishes for Jay and your family. Makes me glad my DH left the fire department after 9 years of service, at least now working for the Secret Service if he gets sick they aren't going to toss him out the door.

Do keep us updated, I'm interested to hear how this works out. I'll keep your family in my prayers.

 

[jordgubben]

I believe that my father went threw similiar BS with his fire department after having his aorta valve replaced in 1988. He is still an active member of his fire department. I will forward a link to this thread to him and see if I can get him to comment.

My opinion is if the doctor says he can return to work then he can return to work. What do the rest of the firefighters know about his medical condition? They are the ones with the medical degrees. I'm sure they wouldn't want to have a doctor telling them how to put out a fire or do and extrication.

 

[mjvans]

I really look forward to hearing what your Dad has to say about this!! Fondly,
Michelle