Earnings

[noggythenog]

I get the point about firepersons not being fit enough at 55-60 but instead of retiring at whatever they do now surly there must be something else they can do within the fire service. and the "climb ladders in full breathing apparatus to rescue someone-possibly unconscious" argument is always used and I actually agree with it but not all fire personal at the fire will need to go up the ladder - just send the young uns up while they hold the bottom.
At 59 if they are not fit enough they could train/teach others - do all the community fire safety awareness stuff I would of thought there is loads they could still do.

I agree with you a bit here Fazersharp but I think that in actual fact that the crews probably already do this as blokes ie the young guys take the hard jobs and the old hands do the easy ones....all very well until a watch is made up that doesn't take into account a variety of ages and you could end up with a whole bunch of geriatrics with nobody able to do anything or on the flip side a whole bunch of fit young guys yet none of them have any experience.

And I also think that it is harsh if someone has paid out extra from their pay packet for 20 years to get a pension and then is told oh no you cant do the bleep test so you're now not getting the pension.......do they get back all of the extra that they paid in then?.....at then end of the day it is constructive dismissal........but guys can be fit and healthy at 60....it is possible........except it isn't fitness that will stop them as that can be trained albeit a bit more harder as people age but it is the joints seizing up etc that you just cant really stop.....general wear & tear.......I think if someone is just a fat bloater and smokes and takes no interest in health then ok fair enough punish him for it but if it is just age then it is wrong.

But experience at a fire or incidents is just as important as fitness I think.

it just opens up a can of worms.....should we now say that a heart surgeon shouldn't be able to practice passed the age of 40 because by then his mind isn't as sharp as it was when he was 20.....or because he doesn't have quite the same dexterity.have a test...ok not as sharp....you're sacked mate!

Or what about a test for politicians.......left alone with a pie.......will they put their finger in it.....yes....ok you're promoted.