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<p>I recently met with the National Employers to discuss firefighter fitness issues
in England. Where underlying medical reasons have been identified that restrict or
prevent an individual from achieving the necessary fitness standards for undertaking
their role as a firefighter, the individual should be referred to occupational health,
and must receive the necessary support to facilitate a return to operational duties.
The fire and rescue authority should also fully explore opportunities to enable the
individual to remain in employment, including through reasonable adjustments and appropriate
redeployment within the role, where it appears the medical condition prevents a return
to operational duties. In those circumstances, where there are no such opportunities
or suitable alternative employment is unavailable, then the fire and rescue authority
will commence the formal assessment for ill-health retirement by referring the case
to the Independent Qualified Medical Practitioner. Where it is determined that a firefighter
is permanently unable to continue in their role as a firefighter they would become
entitled to the immediate payment of a lower tier ill-health pension. In addition
to this, they would also receive a higher tier ill-health enhancement if it was also
determined that they could not undertake any regular employment. The definition of
ill-health is wide, and includes both physical and mental conditions, including arthritis
and post-traumatic stress syndrome. It is important to note that, where a firefighter
is deemed eligible for medical retirement, the authority must pay the ill-health pension
- there is no discretion.</p><p> </p><p>In the 2015 Firefighters Pension Scheme firefighters
will accrue pension more quickly than their counterparts in Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland, and will consequently achieve a higher ill-health pension.</p>
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