Updated 2022 edition of NFPA 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments, now published and available

NFPA has now published an updated 2022 edition of NFPA 1582, which includes the changes from TIA 1582-22-1, establishing a single set of medical requirements and evaluations that are equally applicable to both members and candidates. This updated version can be found on NFPA LiNK, NFPAFree Access, and as hardcopies.   NFPA 1582 is a standard that provides information and guidance for physicians and other health care providers responsible for fire department occupational medical programs. The medical requirements are intended to be part of an evaluation to ensure that candidates and current members are capable of performing their required duties and reduce the risk of occupational injuries and illnesses.The 2022 edition of NFPA 1582 originally had different medical requirements for “candidates” (those who want to join a fire department or members looking to join a new department) and “members” (current active firefighters). Significantly, there were certain identified health conditions (Category A Medical Conditions) which were applicable only to candidates and   precluded a person from getting a job as a firefighter. The TIA was developed by a Task Group, which included medical doctors, attorneys from FEMA, IAFF, and others. It essentially created a single set of medical requirements that applied equally to both members and candidates and tracked closely to the requirements for members. The TIA failed ballot, but the FEMA Director of the Office of Civil Rights and two medical doctors appealed to the Standards Council to issue the TIA. The NFPA Standards Council issued the TIA in April in Decision #23-2, and for more background, see my initial blog.In the Council’s decision to issue the TIA, it pointed to the standards development record being “replete with documentation and comments reflecting a concern that NFPA 1582 violates civil rights laws, exposes AHJs to risk by using a potentially discriminatory standard, and unfairly affects people applying for a job or looking to apply for a job in a new department.” During the hearing on the appeal, FEMA indicated that if NFPA 1582 was not amended to comply with civil rights laws, it may take action that would affect federal funding to fire departments. The Council sought to address these potentially significant legal and federal funding risks to fire departments throughout the country and stated:“This is an untenable position for fire departments, candidates and members; and to the extent NFPA 1582 is potentially used as an instrument of discrimination, the Council is compelled to take action and issue the TIA that rectifies this immediate concern.” It should be noted that the Technical Committee on Emergency Responders Occupational Health continues their work on the next edition requirements which will be consolidated into NFPA 1580, Standard for Emergency Responder Occupational Health and Wellness, with a First Draft being open for Public Comments by October 26, 2023 at www.nfpa.org/1580next.