Approximately 18 months ago the Fire Commissioner (Queensland, Austrlia) stood me down from ops due to T1D. Having been on pump and CGM for 6 months I intend to appeal.
Can anybody assist with any knowledge of fire fighters on operational duties whether using pumps and CGM or MDI so I can use the numbers for the appeal? (No names or identities will be used)
Thank you for your attention, David
PS Diabetes Australia Queensland declined to provide direct support or assistance and have made their consumer advocacy officer redundant so I am doing this solo.
David,
In high school, I was an active member of two fire departments. At the time, I was not old enough or certified to go inside, but still did everything exterior, responded to calls, drills, work details. Our one department was short on guys during the day, so us younger members were also trained to operate to pumps. I was on the pump and MDI at different times in that period. It was a lot of fun, and both stations were good about just letting me do my D thing when I needed, without being overprotective of me. I left during college due to time constraints. After that, I also worked full time about 5 years as a 911 operator. I hope you get this situation resolved.
Ryan
I know that the American Diabetes ASsn has some info on law enforcement, EMS and Fire Service appeals that have been successfully handled. Maybe searching their website would help.
Thanks Ryan that is very helpful, best regards, Dave
Thanks for your reply, found some useful stuff, wish Diabetes Australia were half as good, best regards, David
Here is the name of a US attorney who is a T1D and has experience with diabetes discrimination cases and job descrimination. He has authored several articles related to working with diabetes and is on the San Francisco Bay Area American Diabetes Association Leadership Board. He received the 2014 State Bar of California award recognizing his public service (http://cyla.calbar.ca.gov/CYLA/JackBermanAward.aspx).
Aaron J. Fisher
afischer@rbgg.com
http://rbgg.com/attorneys/associates/aaron-j-fischer/
Thanks for your help and the courtesy of your reply. Will follow up. Best regards, David
Go for it! When I was diagnosed at 17, 40+ years ago, I ruled out being a firefighter, and still have regrets. Good luck David.
As an American, I prob cannot provide any legal help, but I can say that I sympathize with you and wish you the best of luck. Let us know how this progresses. I think that our medical community can be one of the least accommodating to be employed by. Shame on them. In my town, Fire takes advanced life support medical calls and many of them are paramedics. Do you do mostly fires or medicals or car accidents? What is their main concern about you and your CGM/pump? You were doing your job before a pump and after a pump, so whats the beef? Has it been a good transition to a pump?
