AGE DISCRIMINATION

[samhexum]

In the FDNY’s eyes, this aspiring firefighter belongs in an old smokes home.

 

Rob Becerra, who turned 30 in April, was barred from taking the current FDNY entrance exam, the first open to the public in five years, because city rules exclude those who have reached their 29th birthday.

 

“At 30 years old, I’m in the best physical shape of my life,” said Becerra, a buff and chiseled personal trainer.

 

“According to the FDNY, I’m ready for the AARP.”

 

Among fire departments nationwide, the FDNY has one of the most age-restrictive — some say “archaic” — rules. The maximum age is 37 in Chicago, 36 in Houston, and 32 in Boston. Philadelphia, Miami and Los Angeles have no age caps.

 

“Talk about age discrimination. You’re telling me I can’t do the job — I’m too old? An outrage at the least, especially for all the people in my age bracket — 30 to 35,” Becerra posted on Facebook.

 

The FDNY makes exceptions. Military vets can have the age limit raised by one year for each year they served. Also, after paying $98 million to settle a federal race-discrimination lawsuit in 2014, the FDNY hired previously passed-over black and Hispanics in their 30s and early 40s. A 44-year-old rookie graduated in April. All were assigned to firehouses, not desk jobs.

 

Becerra, of Queens, decided to apply to join New York’s Bravest four years ago — too late to take the last FDNY open-competitive exam in 2012. He made up his mind to sign up for the next exam.

 

“I always loved to help people,” said Becerra. “It took a little later in life to realize I wanted to be a firefighter.”

 

Applications for the current exam finally opened on April 5. At age 29, he was turned away.

 

“It’s disheartening when they tell you you’re too old,” he said. “I know a couple guys who are 25, and, with all due respect, they’re in nowhere near as good physical shape as I am, yet they have the opportunity. It’s not about age — it’s whether you can do the job.”

 

Becerra, 5-foot-11 and a lean 170 pounds, stripped down for The Post to show his muscular physique. “I work out five days a week. I can bench 315 pounds. I can run a mile in under six minutes,” he said.

 

“It’s a shame,” said girlfriend Grace Navarro, who vouched for his prowess. Becerra comes to her rescue when she’s walking too far in heels: “Sometimes he’ll pick me up, and carry me for blocks.”

 

Last year, City Councilman Andy King (D-Bronx) introduced a bill to raise the maximum age to join the FDNY from 28 to 36.

 

The current cap “might have worked in 1950, but people are living longer today and keeping themselves healthier,” King told The Post. “If a person isn’t in shape, we aren’t hiring them anyway.”

 

All the FDNY unions and groups, including the Vulcan Society of black firefighters, supported the bill — but the FDNY privately objected, fearing it might dilute its $10 million minority recruitment drive, King said.

 

FDNY spokesman Frank Dwyer insisted the department “was in favor” of lifting the cap.

 

 

[jjkrkwood]

Many professions have "expiration" dates. It may not be fair, but its the way it is. Its a general consensus that at a certain age you are no longer competent, or useful for certain types of work. Of course it may be a valid point for some individuals, but others, not so much. Its one of those situations where you just have to accept a decision "that is made FOR YOU".....Society is all about rules rules, rules......

[+ sniper]

The issue isn't he can't do it now, it's the greatly increased likelihood that at 15 years out he won't still be able to do it and they will be on the hook for a disability pension. Firefighters typically work 20(might be 25 years now) years, then retire with a full pension and do something else. I'm 46, work out daily, and while I can lift heavy weights I absolutely cannot race up and down ladders carrying people.

[+ WilliamM]

The FDNY makes exceptions. Military vets can have the age limit raised by one year for each year they served

 

What's the point here? That is fairly standard for those with military experience..

[caliguy]

Many professions have "expiration" dates. It may not be fair, but its the way it is. Its a general consensus that at a certain age you are no longer competent, or useful for certain types of work. Of course it may be a valid point for some individuals, but others, not so much. Its one of those situations where you just have to accept a decision "that is made FOR YOU".....Society is all about rules rules, rules......

That and younger people will take more chances then someone older. That's the real reason we sent them off to war. That invisibility factor. You'll just never find a 40 something willing to risk going into a burning building. You realize that your not immortal anymore and that effects your job.

[+ quoththeraven]

Eh, there will always be an age cap and there will always be someone it applies to who is well-qualified anyway. That's the nature of the beast with bright-line rules.