Firefighters' new condition test not discriminatory: Human Rights council

The fire brigade is not discriminating by judging men and women equally in the firefighters' periodic condition test, the College for Human Rights ruled, NOS reports.

This case was filed by 53-year-old volunteer firefighter Jorien Traas after she twice failed the new fitness condition test and had to leave the fire department in May. She was unable to climb 100 steps in two minutes while carrying a 42 kilogram pack. She was supported by the trade union for firefighter volunteers VBV.

Traas believes that women and older volunteers should be given lighter demands than men in the condition test.

The College of Human Rights ruled that men are indeed more likely to pass the condition test than women, as are people in their 20s compared to people in their 50s. Thus the fire brigade does differentiate on age and gender. But such a distinction is allowed if there is a good reason for it. In this case there is - the condition test's aim is to ensure the safety of firefighters and victims.