Fire Services Department okays glasses-wearing individuals in becoming firefighters

The Fire Services Department announced that starting from Friday, it will adjust its test requirement for entry, including the requirements on glasses-wearing, to attract more applicants with different backgrounds or abilities. 

The changes to the entry test requirement will be applicable to four grades under the department, including Station Officer, Ambulance Officer, Fireman and Ambulanceman. 

For the eyesight test, candidates will now be allowed to wear glasses during the test, and the relevant changes will only apply to the entry tests for Station Officers and Firemen. 

Additionally, the department will extend the time limit for the physical fitness test, as well as revise the passing mark for the test items. Inclined chin-ups will also be introduced as an optional test item for candidates in the physical fitness test. 

A department spokesman said the FSD has always upheld the principle of meritocracy and reviews its recruitment policy from time to time to ensure that it aligns with the times, with a view to selecting candidates of the highest caliber to join the department. 

The spokesman also noted that the requirement for successful candidates to undergo 26 weeks of rigorous foundation training and meet the physical fitness standards required by the department remains unchanged, adding that the latest change to the entry requirements will not affect rescue work in the future. 

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