The 21st century is well under way, but when you step into some fire departments, you wonder if they noticed.

Volunteer fire departments have a long history of being a social environment, and in many areas the department started out from neighbors sitting down for a round of beers. Unfortunately, as the dangers and liabilities of drinking have become more apparent, many departments hold onto their "social" traditions.

It may be as simple as an unmarked slot in the soda machine or as obvious as a keg always on tap, but alcohol plays a very detrimental role in many departments. A poll on VolunteerFD.org  showed that 11 percent of departments polled allow alcohol at all times in their department. Twelve percent of departments stated that alcohol was only allowed at parties, while  I was impressed that 68 percent  revealed that alcohol is never allowed at their department.

More departments would be "dry" departments if it wasn't such a controversial topic. We've all heard the debate that we are "volunteers" and therefore can do as we please. The problem is that in an area where people's lives are at stake, we can not have the volunteer attitude and we need to strive to be volunteer professionals.

Volunteer firefighters fight to gain the public's respect and confidence, only to be shot down by our fellow firefighters when they make the news for a DUI apparatus accident, or as was found recently in Conn., pictures of drunken firefighters on department web sites.

We should also remember the potential liabilities a department opens itself up to by allowing its members to drink, or, worse, providing alcohol. The law firm of Dewey, Cheatem and Howe are more then happy to sue a volunteer organization. Remember, it is the patient's perception that is important, not whether or not the member was legally drunk.

I do not mean to preach that alcohol is bad, or that our members should never touch alcohol — we just need to put some guidelines together. There are some interesting discussion points as to what is acceptable and what is not. One department stated that their lawyer said an 18-hour dry period was acceptable. Other options are numerous, ranging from six hours to 12 hours, with very little agreement.  Then again, some departments make a different designation for driving, EMS calls or rescue calls.

My question is, if the member is too drunk to drive, why would you think they would be sober enough to work on a fire scene? And if you are worried about patients smelling alcohol on a member's breath, then how can you tell if the member had one drink or ten?

I am amazed to read that some departments still provide alcohol at all times, and allow their members to respond. The amount of liability and chances of problems the department is bringing upon them is astronomical. 

Some positive options include:

• Not allowing members to respond if they have had anything to drink.
• Designating a crew for company events where members will be drinking.
• Appreciate that members want to drink, but also explain to them that it is not acceptable in a response situation.

While the alcohol issue may be controversial, just think about whether or not you would want one of your members responding under the influence to your home. Remember, judgment is the first thing to go when you are drinking, so saying a member can decide when he/she is drunk isn't acceptable. If that is not enough to shake you up, remember that as an officer you are liable for your firefighters' actions, and it may be your home the lawyers go after.