Flaglerlive.com
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida House rejected an amendment on Monday that would have required firefighters to watch their body mass index if they wanted to keep their job. In a voice vote, the House rejected the amendment that would have required all firefighters to keep their BMI at 25 or under.
Rep. Janet Adkins, R-Fernandina Beach, proposed firefighters have their BMI tested every four years as an additional requirement to existing physical agility testing. “Right now we’ve got firefighters who are physically fit, with a BMI of 25 or less, that are being asked to do above and beyond the work of those who are not able to do it,” Adkins said. But a number of representatives expressed concern about the BMI rating system because it doesn’t calculate fitness of individuals, and can be misleading, particularly with highly muscular people.
Curiously, the amendment did not address the weight issues of police or law enforcement personnel. (“Mike and Molly,” a popular television show on CBS, currently features a morbidly obese character who works for the Chicago Police Department.)
Full story: Fat Firefighters Need Not Worry: Body Mass Index Not an Issue in Florida