It's no secret that firefighting is one of the most physically demanding professions out there.
The training that these men and women have to go through in order to become firefighters is no joke. But neither is the job, so it's understandable that these people must be in peak physical condition to protect us.
But should age play a factor in someone's ability to be a firefighter?
According to CNN, the 37-year-old has served four combat tours and scored in the top 1% of applicants for the New York Fire Department (FDNY).
By all accounts, Shaun seemed like he would be the perfect candidate for the FDNY.
But the department had other ideas.
As it turns out, 35 is the maximum age for those who have served in the military to work for the FDNY.
So basically, Shaun was deemed "too old" to be a firefighter for the city of New York because he was six months and 25 days past the maximum age limit.
Under state and city regulations, the department cannot accept any applicants over the age of 29, unless they have a military background. In that case, the age limit is changed by deducting up to six years off the person's currently age to meet the 29 years requirement.
In February, he received a letter from the FDNY rejecting his application on the basis of him being past the age limit. He appealed the rejection but the department is not allowed to waive this requirement, FDNY spokesman Frank Gribbon told CNN.
Shaun has appealed the decision to New York's Civil Service Commission and should hear a decision by the end of July.
The Denver Fire Department's head recruiter personally contacted Shaun to encourage him to apply. Their department requires a minimum age of 21 years for their applicants but has no max.
Like Denver, their department doesn't have an age cap for applicants.
SFFD spokesman Lt. Jonathan Baxter told CNN that the department is one of the most diverse in America and that they welcome all applicants with military backgrounds.
However, as of right now, Shaun's sights are still set pretty firmly on the department that rejected him.
According to his lawyer, Kevin Carroll, he is "committed to his goal of joining the FDNY."
