There is no place for alcohol in the firehouse, on the rigs, on scene or in on-duty firefighters

Dear Nozzlehead: After several years of battles and stress, my fire department's board is finally taking action to stop members from getting on the trucks while under the influence of alcohol. A while back, the board put in place a zero-tolerance policy. One reason: Some members had already made many attempts to get such a rule in place. While many of us had become fed up with a number of individuals who regularly responded to calls while under the influence of alcohol, their behavior was accepted as "normal." Our objections to this behavior led to some nasty disputes.

The other factor that led directly to the implementation of a zero-tolerance policy: A former chief drove a pumper to a reported building fire while intoxicated. This person, a known member of the community, was too drunk to get the truck into pump. Imagine if there had actually been a fire! Now, rather than take action on this individual, the board members decided to develop a zero-tolerance policy.

Things have been significantly better since the introduction of the policy — that is, until a recent village parade. A member of our department decided to load up a cooler full of beer and take it with some other members on a truck. They then drank the beer while in line with the marching bands, scouts and other groups. Also, these members had children riding on the trucks during the parade. After the parade, some of our firefighters then proceeded to the beer booth — in uniform. Of course, the apparatus somehow got back to the hall — who knows the state of the drivers. Fortunately, we did not receive a call, as all of the equipment was at the parade, staffed by firefighters who were "out of service."

Basically, the entire department was out of service. Surprisingly, our board has decided to take a stand. They stated they will suspend everyone who was at the parade. Obviously, those who were drinking must be suspended, but how do you identify them? And it may cause a large majority of our active members to be suspended and out of call service.

There is still the chance that the board will cave somewhat. But many members support them. Our firefighters are increasingly fed up with the way things are, and they are ready for change. It has been a tough series of battles, and I know the war is not yet over, but it is heartening to see people's views changing. Is it just us or is this a problem in all fire departments?
— Sober in the Squad

Dear Sober,
Just when I hope someone is going to write in about a tactics problem, you send me some damn e-mail about booze in and around the firehouse. Wow, that's a new problem. Next thing ya know, people will start writing in about one firefighter "spending time with" another firefighter's spouse. Or wait, maybe one of you will write in complaining that working 8–10 days a month is too long and unfair. Whoa! And the next thing you know, someone will write in complaining that the new fire chief in some desert city doesn't wear Hawaiian shirts and forgot where he came from. Please. Like that's going to happen.

I have answered the booze question in this column before, so pay attention this time. Let me make this clear to you and anyone who writes in about this again: Booze has no business in the firehouse, on a run or being inside those who go to fires. No excuse. No whiney crap about, "It's just a little" or "It keeps the firefighters here" or my favorite, "Would you rather them be drinking somewhere else?" Yes, numbnuts, I would.

Now ol' Nozzlehead holds nothing against those who want to take a drink every once in a while. But stay the hell away from my fire engines, my firefighters and my kids. If you even sip a drink, STAY AWAY. Don't come to work. Go to rehab. Whatever it takes.

But what about volunteer fire departments? It keeps morale up, right? Sure, and so would a free weekly trip to the Bunny Ranch, but that's not how it works. Actually, a trip to the Bunny Ranch for active members who make calls might actually be a retention and recruitment tool. We'll decide and let you know.

But no! Booze in the firehouse does not improve morale. It doesn't help recruitment and retention, and it is a disaster waiting to happen. Get rid of it. Now. Officers, if you see it, stop it or you can count on being held responsible. If the person drinking is your superior, let another superior know. Even if you have to do it anonymously, let someone know. Doing so might save a life.

Think my advice is hokey and unreasonable? You are either a gutless clown in a fire officer's suit or a person with a drinking problem. Why do I feel so strongly about this issue? Because I feel strongly about drunk firefighters riding in or driving apparatus and/or operating at fires. Why? Because I have personally seen it and been involved with the results for years. There is one solution: Stop it no matter what.

But what if a member comes to you admitting they have a problem? That's a good thing — treat them like they broke their arm and get them fixed through your employee assistance program (EAP). And they get one chance. After that, it's clear they don't want to be a firefighter bad enough. I know it's tough and it's a disease. But this is a fire department. Wake up and understand that it's all about trust here. Trust between us, and trust between us and the public.

What if a member gets a DUI while off duty? Contact your fire department's attorney and let them decide how to handle it based on your standard operating procedures. If it were up to me, that member would earn a trip to EAP and then, if it happened again, lose their job. Of course, if they're convicted and lose their license, they lose their job anyway. But see what the legal folks say.

What if a member is drunk on duty or, in the case of volunteers, responds while drunk? What does your policy state? It should state that they are terminated. Too rough? Unfair? Think about the consequences. We cannot allow too much room to breathe on this issue. We have rules, one of which says you must never be drunk, high or anything like that while on duty. It should be very clear.

So now you must think I have some hard, nasty history with booze. No, I don't, but I knew many who did and they are no longer around. Additionally, I know victims — like you do — who were killed by drunks. So if we get all pissed off on a run when there is a "stupid drunk" involved, then why do we work so hard to hide it and sometimes allow it in the fire department? Because it's all about brother and sisterhood (high fives here). Well, to that, Nozzlehead takes a comment from an old friend who used to say "BMA" — Brotherhood My Ass.

It's time to make it clear that there will be no booze or members who are "even just a little" intoxicated in the firehouse, on the rigs or on the scene. Got a member with a problem? Fix them now. Get them in the EAP. Get them in Alcoholics Anonymous or similar programs, but get them before they get someone else. Why is that so damn hard to understand, brother?