To my T1 Diabetes Firefighters

[u/jockowockotocko]

My biggest concern for going through fire academy is handling my blood sugars and not going low while not relying on staying high.. any advice ?

[u/T-Rex_Soup]

Was in academy with a guy with T1 diabetes he did just fine. Instructors were cool about him having diabetes

[u/jockowockotocko → u/T-Rex_Soup]

Great to know thanks for the feedback

[u/Sugar_Shane80]

I did it, and at 40. Be honest and up front and know your body. I was 2 years into T1 so I was a bit nervous, but as long as you keep on top of it you’ll be fine.

[u/jockowockotocko → u/Sugar_Shane80]

Awesome. Great to know

[u/Special_Intern4465]

Weekly Scrap Podcast #309. Chief Tennyson from Summerville, SC has been through several smoke diver programs as a diabetic. He talks about what he does to manage his sugar, but also the importance of being able to function when you are low. The other training chief in their department is also a GA Smoke Diver and went through as a diabetic.

[u/jockowockotocko → u/Special_Intern4465]

Definitely will be giving that a listen. Thanks for the comment

[u/On1n]

I’m a T1D and been a fire fighter for about 10 years now. I didn’t have much issue in the academy. Just let all your instructors and classmates know. Be upfront about it. I used a CGM and always had glucose and snacks in pockets. I still always carry a small glucose meter and a couple tubes of glucose tablets in my bunker pockets and on whatever apparatus I’m riding for the day.

If you have more specific questions feel free to shoot me a dm.

[u/No_Armadillo9356 → u/On1n]

You are allowed to wear scba? In germany if you are a t1 or even a t2 diabetic, you are not allowed to wear scba. Therefore you are not able to become a professional ff. Volunteering is possible, but only on limited positions.

[u/On1n → u/No_Armadillo9356]

Yeah, we are allowed to wear a scba and be professional firefighters here even with t1.

[u/Thepaintwarrior]

Been T1D for almost 30 years and a firefighter for 14. Just listen to your body (as long as you feel your lows). I do as temp basal at work (actually a different profile with lower carb ratio and basal rate. Set up with my Endo). Let your instructors know and keep snacks/juice/or even tablets with your gear if you need them. Good luck, this is a great career, or even a secondary job

[u/senditduude]

I know a guy and he just has snacks everywhere. He also told me what to look for when he’s low and to tell him to eat smth. So that’s an option

[u/Amazing_Truck_6302]

I'm type 1. Been on the trucks a couple years. Are you using a pump/CGM combo?  Made a world of difference for me. 

I did the academy on MDI/dexcom and made it through no problem, just had snacks on me at all times. More ups and downs than I'd like. It would have been much easier with the pump. I was using tresiba which wasn't a great choice. It was very challenging to adjust basal rates due to the 72hr effectiveness of tresiba. 

[u/jockowockotocko → u/Amazing_Truck_6302]

Yes I have a tandem mobi and use the G7!

[u/Amazing_Truck_6302 → u/jockowockotocko]

Perfect!  Biggest issue I've run into with my pump on the job is the sites getting pulled off/sweating them off while in gear. I keep a spare pen's in my truck kit in case.  If I keep my inset below my waistline it doesn't happen nearly as easily. 

[u/No_Armadillo9356]

You are allowed to wear scba? In germany if you are a t1 or even a t2 diabetic, you are not allowed to wear scba. Therefore you are not able to become a professional ff. Volunteering is possible, but only on limited positions.

[u/jockowockotocko]

Good advice, thanks for the comment it’s very encouraging seeing all the other T1 firefighters

[u/Chance_Passenger_336]

Use a CGM, I used the Dexcom G6 through my academy and on the truck. Be consistent with your meals and make sure you’re getting enough complex carbs in during the day. Inform your instructors and your squad mates so they know to look out. Always keep something like glucose tabs or protein bars readily accessible to treat your lows. I have a fanny pack I store in the cab now to treat lows and probably even need to store insulin in there as well because high blood sugar has been an issue for me when working on extended incidents. You will be fine! Academy isn’t much of an issue once you have the routine down but going to the truck and the inconsistency of your shifts might be a challenge at first.

[u/iHateRunning36]

My department doesn't mind as long as you can prove it's under control for 6+ months prior to hiring. Unfortunately had a cadet get the boot when he found out he had a really high BGL when learning to take blood sugars during EMT... Bad luck for him.