Update from 6 p.m. Wednesday
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- For former Charleston firefighter Eric King, it's a Catch-22. The National Fire Protection Agency recommends a firefighter not have a pacemaker and continue on the job. So, King was fired from the department.

Here's where the catch comes in, according to King. He said it was a job-related test that he doesn't believe always follows those NFPA guidelines that caused his medical condition to begin with.

"They routinely send people to the hospital, most of the time they will pass out, they'll get fluids in them and they will be fine," King said. King told WSAZ Tuesday by phone that (they) "act like it's funny to break someone down and send someone to the hospital. "

King blames the test for his pacemaker and his diagnosis of bradycardia. According to King and his doctor, his cardiac health was fine prior to taking this test.

Local IAFF President Myron Boggess said needing treatment at the test is just like needing treatment at the scene.

"There is people who pass out on the fire scene, there is people that have to take oxygen on the fire scene, there are people that have to take IV fluid on the scene," Boggess said. " I don't understand what the difference is."

King said he was among three people taken to the hospital because of the Charleston Job Related Skills Test. The class only had 10 people.

When it comes to enforcement, NFPA guidelines are not black and white. During testing a medic is on the grounds, but not closely monitoring the test. Based on the NFPA standards, someone should be watching, according to King. He also believes the amount of time firefighters should be in their gear needs to be examined.

One firefighter who serves as a medic at the test from time to time agrees with King in part. Steve Haga has been a Charleston firefighter for more almost 10 years, and told WSAZ.com Tuesday, "Repeatedly they've had people that require attention after the test. That tells you, one, either the test is flawed or the preparation for the test is flawed. "

Dr. Paul Davis, PhD., is an expert in physical fitness and employment standards. He is a retired firefighter and paramedic. He took a look at the test and said he saw nothing wrong with it.

He did wonder why veteran firefighters weren't taking the test biannually.

Chief of Operations Rodney Winter told WSAZ.com that it's a logistics issue. That's because the department uses the Charleston Civic Center parking garage for its testing. He said, however, that he would like to see a department physical test.

Original story
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Firefighters face dangerous situations every single day. But now, one former probationary Charleston firefighter claims the group's biggest danger might be coming from the department itself.

Eric King is speaking out, saying that life has changed drastically for him and his family since he took the Charleston Fire Department's Job Related Skills Test.

King is 34 years old. He now has a pacemaker and was diagnosed with bradycardia. Bradycardia is a condition that means your heart beats less than 60 times a minute. King said up until he passed out from heat exhaustion during the skills test, he had a clean bill of cardiac health.

"I got hurt taking a test, and they continue to take that test after numerous people have been hurt taking the test, and nothing is changing on it," King said. "I am afraid someone will get seriously injured."

The test is a series of job-related skills probationary firefighters must complete to become a full-fledged member of the Charleston Fire Department. That includes everything from tying knots to using a sledge hammer, to climbing a ladder and pulling a mannequin. The goal is to simulate what happens in the field, and to make sure members are not only proficient but efficient.

Myron Boggess is the president of the local chapter of the International Association of Firefighters.

"It is a hard test," Boggess said. "If it wasn't, anyone could do it. You have to have some kind of a gauge set to where people either pass or they fail."

There is no time limit on the test, but the average length is about an hour. King said he'd been in his turnout gear for about that long when he passed out. He said he was almost done.

"I don't disagree with those skills needing to be tested," King said. "But to have it all in one and to run people for over an hour in full gear -- that is crazy; it's absolutely ridiculous. They are going to end up killing someone."

According to the Charleston Fire Department's chief of operations, more than 100 fire fighters have passed the test. Two breaks -- each lasting two minutes -- are provided during the test.

Each day leading up to the test and even once the test is over, firefighters are allowed an hour during their scheduled shift to work out in the fire department gym. They are encouraged to do the same on their days off.

The test requirement started back in the 1990s.

Danny Anderson is the IAFF secretary/treasurer. He believes the test prepares a firefighter for any day on the job.

"I like to feel like the Charleston Fire Department is the best fire department in the state," he said. "I feel like we set our standards and goals above and beyond. Because that way when we go to fight a fire or have to rescue a person or cut someone out of a car, whatever it may be that we have to face, we are going to be above and beyond ready to handle that challenge."

Boggess said that he never heard any complaints about the test until he found out King's situation was brought to the attention of WSAZ.

King was let go from the job because he uses a pacemaker; that is a guideline put in place by the National Fire Protection Association. NFPA is a a standard-setting group for fire departments across the nation.

King is appealing his workers' compensation claim, which was previously denied.

Charleston City Manager David Molgaard said that is why the workers' compensation appeals process is in place.

"Better to understand the physical capabilities during a test than during a true emergency where other peoples lives and the lives of their coworkers are really at stake," Molgaard said. "To the extent he had a physical condition that manifested itself during a training exercise or a test, it might have been for the better."