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RICHARD JOHN OLLO vs DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, 02-004445 (2002)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Tallahassee, Florida Nov. 18, 2002 Number: 02-004445 Latest Update: Jun. 18, 2003

The Issue The issue is whether Respondent properly denied Petitioner's application for certification as a firefighter after Petitioner failed to successfully pass the practical portion of the Minimum Standards Examination pursuant to Sections 633.34 and 633.35, Florida Statutes, and Rules 4A-37.056 and 4A-37.062, Florida Administrative Code.

Findings Of Fact Petitioner has served as a voluntary firefighter in Bay County, Florida, for approximately nine years. He first applied for certification as a firefighter in October 2001. In order to be certified, Petitioner was required to successfully complete the Minimum Standards Course. The course consists of taking a minimum of 360 hours of training at an approved school or training facility. After completing the training course, Petitioner was required to take the Minimum Standards Examination, which is structured in two parts: a written portion and a practical portion. The practical portion consists of four sections including the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), the hose pull, the ladder operation, and the fire ground skills. The purpose of the practical portion of the exam is to simulate real fire ground scenarios. To pass the four practical evolutions, an applicant must achieve a score of at least 70 percent on each one. Each evolution of the practical exam has certain steps that are mandatory. Failure to complete a mandatory step results in automatic failure of that portion of the exam. The mandatory steps for the SCBA evolution include the following: (a) complete the procedure in not more than one minute and forty-five seconds; and (b) activate the PASS device in the automatic position. After completing the Minimum Standards Course, Petitioner took the Initial Minimum Standards Examination on May 1, 2002. He was well rested on the day of the test, having slept approximately eight hours the night before. Petitioner passed the written portion of the exam but failed the practical portion of the initial exam because it took him one minute and fifty-nine seconds to complete the SCBA evolution. In a memorandum dated May 7, 2002, Respondent formally advised Petitioner that he had failed the SCBA portion of the practical exam because he exceeded the maximum time for the procedure. The memorandum also stated as follows in pertinent part: Important information about retesting and certification renewal is enclosed. Please read it carefully. You have automatically been scheduled for the next available examination, and written notification indicating your test date and location is enclosed. You are not required to call the Bureau for scheduling. Thank you. (Emphasis provided) In another memorandum dated May 7, 2002, Respondent advised Petitioner that he was scheduled to re-take the SCBA portion of the practical examination at the Florida State Fire College in Ocala, Florida, on May 24, 2002, at 8:00 a.m. The memorandum included the following relevant information: If you are unable to take the examination on the assigned date, please advise the Bureau and we will reschedule you for the next examination. Note: You must retest within six (6) months of the original test date. All an applicant has to do to reschedule a retest exam is to call Respondent's Bureau of Fire Standards and Training and request to be rescheduled. Respondent does not require applicants to provide a justifiable reason in order to be rescheduled. It is a routine and standard practice for Respondent to reschedule exams. Some applicants fail to show up for their retest exam without calling Respondent. In that case, Respondent automatically reschedules the retest. Applicants must take their retest exams within six months of their initial exam dates. Applicants that fail to meet this requirement must repeat the training course. Respondent reminds applicants of these requirements when they call to reschedule retests or fail to show up for retest, and the next retest exam date falls outside of the six-month window. If applicants still wish to reschedule retests outside the six-month window, Respondent will accommodate the requests. The next exam date that Petitioner could have taken his retest was in September 2002, which would have been within the six-month window. Petitioner testified that he called Respondent on May 16, 2002, to reschedule his retest because May 24, 2002, was not convenient with his work schedule. Petitioner also testified that an unidentified female in Respondent's office told him that he could not change the date of his retest. Petitioner's testimony in this regard is not persuasive. Petitioner's job involved working the "graveyard shift" at the Panama City Airport, loading and unloading planes. On May 23, 2002, Petitioner began working at 2:00 a.m. He finished his shift at approximately 1:00 p.m. Petitioner then immediately loaded his gear and began the trip to Ocala, Florida. The trip took about six hours, due to a traffic jam in Tallahassee, Florida. He arrived in Ocala at approximately 8:00 p.m. EST, located the testing site, and checked into a motel. Petitioner reported to the testing site the next morning. He did not tell any officials at the testing site that he was too tired to take the test. Petitioner failed the retest of the SCBA portion of the exam. Petitioner's time for the retest of the SCBA evolution was two minutes and twelve seconds. Additionally, Petitioner had point deductions for failing to complete the "seal check" and failing to properly don and secure all personal protective equipment correctly. In a letter dated May 26, 2002, Petitioner alleged that Respondent had denied his request for a different test date. Petitioner claimed that fatigue had prevented him from succeeding at the test. He requested another opportunity to retest the SCBA evolution within the required six-month period. Shortly thereafter, Fire Chief Tim McGarry from the Thomas Drive Fire Department on Panama City Beach, Florida, called Respondent's Field Representative Supervisor, Larry McCall. During that conversation, Mr. McCall told Chief McGarry that Petitioner could have decided not to show up for the retest. In a letter dated June 3, 2002, Mr. McCall responded to Petitioner's letter. In the letter, Mr. McCall stated that the question of whether Respondent erroneously denied Petitioner's request to reschedule the retest would be closed unless Petitioner could provide more specific details. In a memorandum dated June 6, 2002, Respondent formally advised Petitioner that he had failed the retest. In a letter dated June 6, 2002, Petitioner stated that he could not remember the name of the person he spoke to when he requested a change in his retest date. Once again, Petitioner requested an opportunity to take the retest. Mr. McCall spoke to Petitioner in a telephone call on June 18, 2002. During that conversation, Petitioner indicated that he would file his Election of Rights form, requesting an administrative proceeding.

Recommendation Based on the forgoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED: That Respondent enter a final order denying Petitioner's application. DONE AND ENTERED this 10th day of April, 2003, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. _ SUZANNE F. HOOD Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 10th day of April, 2003. COPIES FURNISHED: Elenita Gomez, Esquire Department of Financial Services Division of Legal Services 200 East Gaines Street 612 Larson Building Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0330 Mark D. Dreyer, Esquire 747 Jenks Avenue, Suite G Panama City, Florida 32401 Honorable Tom Gallagher Chief Financial Officer Department of Financial Services The Capitol, Plaza Level 11 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0300 Mark Casteel, General Counsel Department of Financial Services The Capitol, Plaza Level 11 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0300

Florida Laws (2) 120.569120.57
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JEFFREY BATES vs DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES, 09-005264 (2009)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Orlando, Florida Sep. 28, 2009 Number: 09-005264 Latest Update: May 25, 2010

The Issue The issue in this case is whether Petitioner’s application for certification as a firesafety inspector should be granted.

Findings Of Fact The Department is the state agency responsible for the certification of firesafety inspectors in the State of Florida pursuant to Chapter 633, Florida Statutes (2009).1 In September 2008, Mr. Bates completed his coursework for certification as a firesafety inspector. In November 2008, Mr. Bates submitted an application for certification as a firesafety inspector. Sometime between November 19, 2008, and December 5, 2008, the Department notified Mr. Bates that the Department did not have a copy of his high school diploma and the certificate showing that course work for the building construction for the fire service had been completed. On December 5, 2008, the Department received documentation showing that Mr. Bates had graduated from high school and had completed the course work for the building construction for the fire service. Scheduling a time to take the firesafety inspector examination can be done online by going to the Pearson Vue testing center website and entering the ID and password provided by the Bureau. Mr. Bates attempted to schedule the examination by telephone and was unsuccessful, but he did not attempt to schedule the examination online. Sometime during January or February 2009, Mr. Bates was able to obtain a date for the examination. Mr. Bates took the examination for firesafety inspector certification for the first time on February 13, 2009. A passing score on the examination was 70 percent. The Bureau sent a notice to Mr. Bates that his score was 56 percent. The notice of the test results advised that he could retake the examination within six months of his test date of February 13, 2009, and that he could review his test questions by contacting the Promissor at www.promissor.com. On April 3, 2009, Mr. Bates contacted Charles Brush, who was the standards supervisor for the Bureau, to schedule a review of his examination taken in February. Mr. Brush was responsible for the testing for certifications and renewals issued by the Bureau. Due to miscommunications with the Bureau, Pearson Vue testing center, and Mr. Bates, Mr. Bates was not scheduled for a review of his examination until May 2009. Mr. Bates reviewed his examination in May 2009; however, after he had gone through the examination one time, he was not allowed to again review the examination. This restriction on the review process is designed to prevent applicants from memorizing questions from the examination. Many of the questions on the examination may be used again in another examination. Because of the communication issues concerning the test review, Mr. Brush gave Mr. Bates an open-ended time extension to retake the examination. Sometime between February 13, 2009, and June 27, 2009, Mr. Bates took a weekend course to practice for the examination. On June 27, 2009, Mr. Bates retook the firesafety inspector examination and again scored 56 percent, which was a failing score. The notice of the test results provided that “[s]hould you fail the retest or waive your right to a retest, the only way to obtain certification is retake the course(s) required, submit a new application for approval, and pass the certification examination.” Mr. Bates does not contest the scores that he received on the examinations. He contends that he should be entitled to be certified as a firesafety inspector due to the amount of time that passed between the completion of his coursework in September 2008 and the taking of the examinations in February and June 2009. He was not able to retain coursework information from September 2008, when he completed his courses, until February 2009, when he first took the test.

Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that a final order be entered denying Mr. Bates’ request that he be certified as a firesafety inspector. DONE AND ENTERED this 20th day of April, 2010, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S SUSAN B. HARRELL Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 20th day of April, 2010.

Florida Laws (2) 120.569120.57 Florida Administrative Code (1) 69A-39.007
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DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION, DIVISION OF HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS vs CAMBRIDGE COURT APARTMENTS, 02-002280 (2002)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Daytona Beach, Florida Jun. 07, 2002 Number: 02-002280 Latest Update: Mar. 28, 2003

The Issue The issues to be resolved in this proceeding concern whether violations of Section 509.032, Florida Statutes, and Rule 61C-1.004(5), Florida Administrative Code, as well as Chapter 4A-3, Florida Administrative Code, had been committed by the Respondent in terms of two specific safety violations allegedly occurring at the Respondent's lodging establishment.

Findings Of Fact The Petitioner is an agency of the State of Florida charged, in pertinent part, with regulating the operation of hotel or lodging establishments in accordance with Section 20.165, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 509, Florida Statutes. The Respondent, at all times material hereto, has been licensed or otherwise subject to the Petitioner's jurisdiction. On September 28, 2001, and again on October 16, 2001, an inspector of the Division of Hotels and Restaurants (Division) inspected the Respondent's lodging premises. The Division inspector noted certain deficiencies at her first inspection and that those deficiencies where still outstanding and uncorrected at the end of her second inspection at that location. In light of the deficiencies noted at both inspections, the Division issued its Administrative Complaint on November 16, 2001, alleging that the fire extinguisher near Apartment Number One was in the "re-charge zone," meaning that it was inoperable on September 28, 2001, and was missing on October 16, 2001. The Complaint also charged that the balcony railing near Apartment Number Four was loose and, therefore, in an unsafe condition in violation of Rule 61C-1.004(5) and (6), Florida Administrative Code. In response, the Respondent testified that he does not live on the premises and that, although the fire extinguisher deficiency has occurred repeatedly, it is because children who are present on the premises keep discharging it. He testified that whenever it has been discharged he, or his maintenance man, immediately has it recharged by the Daytona Fire and Safety Company. Mr. Rampersad also testified that he did everything in his power to bring the railing up to proper code requirements by re-drilling holes and re-anchoring the railing in concrete. He contends that an "inspection supervisor" observed the railing and opined that it had been brought up to code, but there is no direct evidence of that observation. He established that, as of the time of the hearing, all necessary repairs to the railing had been made and that the fire extinguisher was charged and fully operable. He testified that at the time the fire extinguisher was missing upon the re-inspection date, found above, that it was at the service company being recharged.

Recommendation Having considered the foregoing Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, the evidence of record, the candor and demeanor of the witnesses, and the pleadings and arguments of the parties, it is, therefore, RECOMMENDED: That a final order be entered by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, imposing a fine in the amount of $750.00; That the Respondent's license be suspended for six months, but with the suspension held in abeyance contingent upon timely payment of the administrative fine being received upon a schedule agreed to between the Respondent and the Director of the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. The failure to continue to make timely payments of the fine amount should result in imposition of the suspension of the Respondent's license; and That the Respondent be required to attend a Hospitality Education Program class under the auspices of the Petitioner within 60 days of the date of the final order herein and to provide satisfactory proof thereof to the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. DONE AND ENTERED this 8th day of January, 2003, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. P. MICHAEL RUFF Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 8th day of January, 2003. COPIES FURNISHED: Milton Rampersad 1201 Kennedy Road, Apartment 19 Daytona Beach, Florida 32117 Charles F. Tunnicliff, Esquire Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2202 Geoff Luebkemann, Director Division of Hotels and Restaurants Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2202 Hardy L. Roberts, III, General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2202

Florida Laws (5) 120.569120.5720.165509.032509.261
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AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION vs ELVIRA DEMDAM, D/B/A SAN JUAN RETIREMENT HOME, 04-002145 (2004)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Jacksonville, Florida Jun. 16, 2004 Number: 04-002145 Latest Update: Jan. 05, 2005

The Issue The issue for consideration in this proceeding is whether the Respondent’s license as an adult living facility should be subject to an administrative fine in the amount of five hundred dollars ($500.00) for repeated class III deficiencies.

Findings Of Fact The Respondent is the owner/operator of San Juan Retirement Home. The home is licensed to operate a 6-bed assisted living facility in Jacksonville, Florida. On March 5, 2003, AHCA conducted a survey of Respondent's facility. During that survey, Respondent did not have a fire safety inspection report within 365 days from an earlier fire safety inspection report. Because of the lack of a timely report the facility was cited for violating Tag A209, a Class III deficiency. Tag A209 requires that all licensed facilities have an annual fire inspection conducted by the local fire marshal or authorities having jurisdiction. In this instance the Agency interprets the word annual to mean 365 days from the last inspection report. Respondent had the facility inspected by the Fire Marshal on March 12, 2003. She received the report the same day. A follow-up survey was conducted on April 15, 2003. Tag A209 was noted as corrected in a timely manner by Respondent. Since this was the first Class III deficiency regarding the timeliness of the inspection report, no penalties were imposed by Petitioner on Respondent. On April 23, 2004, AHCA again inspected Respondent's facility. During the inspection, Respondent again did not have a fire safety inspection report completed within 365 days of the earlier inspection report of March 12, 2003. Because of the lack of the report, the facility was cited for a class III deficiency under Tag A209. Respondent admitted that she twice did not have a timely fire safety inspection report completed for her facility. The evidence demonstrated that, prior to the April 2004 inspection by AHCA, Respondent had called the Fire Marshal’s office to schedule an inspection for the facility. However, the call was not made until the expiration of the March 12, 2003, fire safety inspection report. For some unknown reason the Fire Marshal’s office did not schedule the fire safety inspection until after the April 2004 inspection. However, the Fire Marshal’s failure to schedule the inspection does not excuse Respondent’s lack of a timely inspection and report since Respondent remains responsible for obtaining the inspection and report in a timely manner and did not call the Fire Marshal’s office until the expiration of the earlier report. To her credit, Respondent obtained a new fire safety inspection report on May 4 or 5, 2004, after AHCA had inspected the facility.

Recommendation Based on the foregoing Finding of Facts and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED: That AHCA enter a final order imposing a $500.00 administrative fine for repeatedly failing to timely conduct or obtain an annual fire safety inspection report. DONE AND ENTERED this 9th day of November, 2004, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S DIANE CLEAVINGER Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 9th day of November, 2004. COPIES FURNISHED: Michael O. Mathis, Esquire Agency for Health Care Administration 2727 Mahan Drive Building 3, Suite 3408D Mail Stop 3 Tallahassee, Florida 32308 Elvira C. Demdam San Juan Retirement home 6561 San Juan Avenue Jacksonville, Florida 32210 Alan Levine, Secretary Agency for Health Care Administration Fort Knox Building, Suite 3116 2727 Mahan Drive Tallahassee, Florida 32308 Valda Clark Christian, General Counsel Agency for Health Care Administration Fort Knox Building, Suite 3431 2727 Mahan Drive Tallahassee, Florida 32308

Florida Laws (1) 120.57
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DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE vs B. C. AND A. B. C. FIRE EXTINGUISHER MAINTENANCE AND RICARDO CABRERA, 96-003497 (1996)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Tallahassee, Florida Jul. 30, 1996 Number: 96-003497 Latest Update: Mar. 19, 1997

The Issue The central issue in this case is whether Respondents committed the violations alleged in the amended administrative complaint, and, if so, what penalty should be imposed.

Findings Of Fact The Petitioner is the state agency charged with the responsibility of regulating fire extinguisher dealers. Respondent, Ricardo Cabrera, holds a fire extinguisher permit class 03 license (No. 109176000192) and is the qualifier for the company, B.C. & A.B.C. Fire Extinguisher Maintenance (license No. 702193000190 - Fire Extinguisher Dealer Class "C"). At all times material to the amended administrative complaint, Carlos Javier Gonzalez-Clavell was employed by Respondent but was not licensed or permitted to service fire extinguishers. In August, 1995, Respondents were placed on probation for a period of two (2) years. A special condition of Respondents' probation required Ricardo Cabrera to supervise all activities undertaken by the company to insure its employees complied with all regulations. In response to a complaint unrelated to the quality of Respondent's work performance, Ms. Barrow directed an investigation of the Respondent's business premises. Mr. Parks was assigned the investigation of whether Respondents were employing unlicensed workers to perform servicing or recharge of fire extinguishers. On January 29, 1996, Mr. Parks went to Respondent's place of business and observed someone loading a vehicle with fire extinguisher equipment and supplies. He also observed the male near a tank which he presumed was nitrogen. He assumed the person was recharging a fire extinguisher. During the described activity Respondent was not in sight. The person described in paragraph 7 later identified himself as Carlos Javier Gonzalez-Clavell. The vehicle being loaded belonged to Mr. Clavell. Respondent was on the business premises at all times noted above. He was out of view but supervising Mr. Clavell's activities. Mr. Clavell did not recharge fire extinguishers and was not permitted to perform license activities.

Recommendation Based on the foregoing, it is, hereby, RECOMMENDED: That the Department of Insurance and Treasurer enter a final order dismissing the amended administrative complaint. DONE AND ORDERED in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, this 5th day of February, 1997. JOYOUS D. PARRISH Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (904) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (904) 921-6847 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 5th day of February, 1997. COPIES FURNISHED: Joe Demember, Esquire Division of Legal Services 512 Larson Building Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0300 Ricardo Cabrera 3340 South Lake Drive Miami, Florida 33155 Bill Nelson State Treasurer and Insurance Commissioner The Capitol, Plaza Level Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0300 Daniel Y. Sumner General Counsel Department of Insurance and Treasurer The Capitol, LL-26 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0300

Florida Laws (1) 120.57
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JAMES T. STEFFENS vs. DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE AND TREASURER, FIRE MARSHALL, 82-003291 (1982)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 82-003291 Latest Update: Jun. 09, 1983

Findings Of Fact Petitioner James T. Steffens is currently employed as Chief of the Oneco-Tallevast Fire Control District located in Manatee County and has been so employed since June 1, 1982. The fire control district covers approximately 26 square miles southeast of Bradenton, and includes residential and commercial developments and some rural areas. The district employs six firefighters who, along with Petitioner, work a normal 3:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, work week. There are 28 volunteer firemen in the district who provide most of the firefighting services for the district. The career personnel are hired primarily to supplement the volunteer group during the ordinary work week. However, they and the Petitioner are also volunteer firefighters. During the period of his employment, Petitioner has taken charge of firefighting on six or seven instances, one of which occurred during his normal hours of employment. (Testimony of Steffens) Petitioner was hired as a result of a screening and interview process by the Board of Commissioners of the Oneco- Tallevast Fire Control District. They were interested in a person who could unify factions within the district and modernize district procedures. The Board of Commissioners was more interested in Petitioner's administrative skills rather than his qualifications as a firefighter. However, it was aware from prior communications with Respondent's personnel that either a certified firefighter should be hired, or if not, that the individual hired would have to be certified in Florida. Petitioner primarily performs administrative functions, such as personnel and budget matters, training and scheduling of personnel, procurement of supplies, and scheduling of fire inspection and prevention programs. Actual fire inspections are conducted by the district fire marshal. (Testimony of Petitioner, Skinner) Respondent's form FST-1 "Qualification of New Employee," was filed on behalf of Petitioner in June 1982 by Raymond F. Skinner, Jr., Secretary- Treasurer, Board of Commissioners, Oneco-Tallevast Fire Control District. The form reflected that Petitioner had completed the equivalency examination at the State Fire College, Ocala, Florida, on July 11, 1977, and the Report of Physical Examination that accompanied the form showed that he had no physical abnormalities. Upon inquiry by Respondent as to a discrepancy on the physical examination report that reflected Petitioner had adequate visual acuity, as compared to a prior medical report received by the Department showing that his uncorrected vision in the right eye was 20/200 and in the left eye, 20/400, the examining physician advised the Respondent that the earlier eye examination should be deemed correct. (Respondent's Exhibits 1-2) By letter of October 5, 1982, Mr. Skinner was advised by the Office of the State Fire Marshal that Petitioner could not be certified because he did not meet the requirements of pertinent law and regulations as to visual acuity, and also due to the fact that he had a "noticeable limp." Specifically, he was advised that Section 633.34(5), Florida Statutes, required that "Any person initially employed as a firefighter must be in good physical condition as determined by a medical examination as prescribed by the division," and that Rule 4A-37.37, Florida Administrative Code, implementing the statutory provision, provided in subsection (3) for adoption of the standards of NFPA 1001 (1974). The letter further stated that NFPA 1001, Chapter 2-2.7.2(b), provided that standard visual acuity, without correction, of less than 20/40 in one eye, and 20/100 in the other eye, was cause for rejection for appointment, and that Chapter 2-2.6.2.4(d) provided that shortening of a lower extremity resulting in any limp of noticeable degree was also cause for rejection. Subsequent to receipt of the letter from Respondent, Petitioner requested an administrative hearing. (Respondent's Exhibit 1) Petitioner does not meet the visual acuity standards set forth in the above-cited law and regulations in that his uncorrected eyesight is 20/200 in his right eye and 20/400 in his left eye. (Respondent's Exhibit 1-2, Stipulation) Respondent's ground for rejection of certification because Petitioner has a "noticeable limp" was based solely on observation of Petitioner by Mr. Raymond Schaffner, Program Coordinator for Fire Standards, Office of the State Fire Marshal. However, Mr. Schaffner has no knowledge of Petitioner having a shortening of either leg, nor is there any medical evidence in that regard. Although he is of the opinion that a person with a limp would have difficulty as a firefighter carrying heavy weights on stairs, or maintaining control on a ladder with his legs to free his hands, he is unaware of any actual limitations that Petitioner might have in this regard. (Testimony of Schaffner) Petitioner concedes that he has a slight limp, but can offer no medical explanation for it. He purchases trousers which have the same inseam for both legs. The problem becomes more pronounced if he becomes overweight. It has never hampered his sports activities in the past, or his prior activities as a volunteer firefighter since 1956. In 1977, he successfully completed the equivalency examination at the State Fire College in Ocala, which required that he perform field "evolutions" or practical exercises in firefighting. Although they do not necessarily test an individual's endurance, Petitioner participated in advancing heavy hoses and carried a man down from a ladder during his equivalency examination. He has performed "leg locks" on ladders "hundreds of times" in the past. (Testimony of Schaffner, Petitioner) Volunteer firefighters are not required to be certified by the state. However, Respondent's interpretation of applicable statutes is that the employed chief of a fire control district must be certified if he meets the definition of "firefighters" set forth in Section 633.31, Florida Statutes. (Testimony of Schaffner, Stark)

Recommendation That Petitioner James T. Steffens be determined unqualified for employment and certification as a firefighter pursuant to Chapter 633, Florida Statutes. DONE and ENTERED this 3 day of 1983, in Tallahassee, Florida. THOMAS C. OLDHAM Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 3rd day of May, 1983. COPIES FURNISHED: Richard W. Gross, Esquire Post Office Box 1302 Hialeah, Florida 33011 Susan E. Koch and Dennis Silverman, Esquires Department of Insurance 413-B Larson Building Tallahassee, Florida 32301 The Honorable William Gunter State Treasurer and Insurance Commissioner The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32301

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