Section 35IAC2-9-1. Purpose

   (a) This rule identifies the baseline statewide physical medical standards that are applicable to all applicants who desire to become members of the 1977 Police Officers' and Firefighters' Pension and Disability Fund (1977 Fund). The baseline statewide medical standards are designed to ensure all applicants seeking to become a police officer or firefighter are capable of successfully performing the essential functions of the job without imposing a direct threat to the health or safety of themselves, coworkers, or the public with whom they come in contact during the course of employment.

  (b) The requirements in this rule and in 35 IAC 2-10, containing the Class 3 excludable conditions, were based on in-depth consideration of the essential functions of the job for police officers and firefighters.

  (c) For firefighters, consideration was also given to the fact that the essential functions are performed in and affected by environmental factors, including the following:

(1) Operate both as a member of a team and independently at incidents of uncertain duration.

(2) Spend extensive time outside exposed to the elements.

(3) Experience frequent transition from hot to cold and from humid to dry atmospheres.

(4) Tolerate extreme fluctuations in temperature and perform physically demanding work in hot (up to four hundred degrees Fahrenheit (400°F)), humid (up to one hundred percent (100%)) atmospheres while wearing equipment that significantly impairs body cooling mechanisms.

(5) Work in wet, icy, or muddy areas.

(6) Perform a variety of tasks on slippery, hazardous surfaces, such as on roof tops or from ladders.

(7) Work in areas where sustaining traumatic or thermal injury is possible.

(8) Face exposure to carcinogenic dusts such as:

(A) asbestos; or

(B) toxic substances, such as:

(i) hydrogen cyanide;

(ii) acids;

(iii) carbon monoxide; or

(iv) organic solvents;

either through inhalation or skin contact.

(9) Face exposure to infectious agents such as hepatitis B or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

(10) Perform complex tasks during life-threatening emergencies.

(11) Work for long periods of time, requiring sustained physical activity and intense concentration.

(12) Face life or death decisions during emergency conditions.

(13) Tolerate exposure to grotesque sights and smells associated with major trauma and burn victims.

(14) Make rapid transitions from rest to near maximal exertion without warm-up periods.

(15) Operate in environments:

(A) of high noise;

(B) of poor visibility;

(C) of limited mobility;

(D) at heights; and

(E) in enclosed or confined spaces.

(16) Use manual or power tools in the performance of duties.

(17) Rely on senses of sight, hearing, smell, and touch to help determine the nature of the emergency, maintain personal safety, and make critical decisions in confused, chaotic, and potentially life-threatening environments.

(18) Wear personal protective equipment that weighs approximately fifty (50) pounds while performing the essential functions of the job.

(19) Perform physically demanding work while wearing positive pressure breathing equipment with one and five-tenths (1.5) inches water column resistance to exhalation at a flow of forty (40) liters per minute.

(20) Be able to communicate with people effectively.

  (d) For police officers, consideration was also given to the fact that the essential job functions are performed in and affected by environmental factors, including the following:

(1) Operate both as a member of a team and independently at incidents of uncertain duration.

(2) Face exposure to infectious agents such as hepatitis B or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

(3) Perform complex tasks during life-threatening emergencies.

(4) Work for long periods of time, requiring sustained physical activity and intense concentration.

(5) Face life or death decisions during emergency conditions.

(6) Tolerate exposure to grotesque sights and smells associated with major trauma.

(7) Make rapid transitions from rest to near maximal exertion without warm-up periods.

(8) Use firearms, self-defense equipment, and body armor.

(9) Be able to physically protect himself or herself.

(10) Be able to communicate with people effectively.

(Board of Trustees of the Indiana Public Retirement System; 35 IAC 2-9-1; filed May 27, 1993, 12:00 p.m.: 16 IR 2338, eff Jul 1, 1993; filed May 7, 1998, 4:15 p.m.: 21 IR 3331; readopted filed Oct 31, 2001, 2:21 p.m.: 25 IR 898; adopted Nov 9, 2007: 20071205-IR-035070818ONA)