N.J. firehouse alcohol requires city's OK

By Ed Beeson
Herald News

GARFIELD, N.J. — Volunteer firefighters can consume alcoholic beverages in municipal firehouses, but only with the city manager's approval.

After holding a closed-door meeting last week with the heads of the city's volunteer Fire Department, City Manager Thomas J. Duch issued a modified directive to firefighters, stating that alcohol can be served at pre-approved social events to be held at firehouses.

It "is permitted in moderation," the directive advised. During events in which alcohol is permitted, fire companies are to take themselves out of service for 12 hours, although a chief can designate a four- or five-member crew who will not drink during social events so that they can answer fire calls.

Duch had previously banned alcohol consumption in city firehouses after reports that one volunteer, Radoslaw Polanski, was issued a summons for driving while intoxicated after he was seriously injured in a July 20 motor vehicle accident. At the time of the wreck, Polanski was headed to a fire call in his personal car.

The new order was issued while the city continues to develop a comprehensive, department-wide policy on alcohol in the firehouse, Duch said. Some of the city's five fire companies maintain a written alcohol policy, while others "have a set of verbal rules," he said.

In the meeting, the Fire Department heads agreed to a policy in which volunteer firefighters are not to respond to calls if they have had a single alcoholic beverage.

"You remain as a backup crew to answer phone calls," Duch said.

Chief Ed Ortyl also resumed his duties as head of the Fire Department on Monday, Duch said. First Assistant Fire Chief Stephen Semancik had filled in for Ortyl "from the time of the incident," he said.

Duch declined to comment when asked if Ortyl had been suspended from his post.