Reno Gazette-Journal
RENO, Nev. — The Reno firefighters union has come forward with an offer to amend the department’s negotiated drug and alcohol policy, proposing to drop the limits for a positive test to better match federal standards.
According to a draft policy change obtained by the Reno Gazette-Journal, the union would agree to lower the blood alcohol limit for a positive alcohol test to .04 percent from the current .08 percent limit. Limits for illegal drugs would be brought in line with federal standards for commercial driver’s licenses.
The proposed change comes in the wake of a Reno Gazette-Journal investigation into the policy negotiated by the union and the city in 2002 that sets a positive alcohol test at .08 percent and illegal drug limits between two and five times the legal limit for driving. Although city policy prohibits drug and alcohol use while on duty, a firefighter would not face any discipline unless a positive test was delivered to the city.
Full story: RenoMemo: Firefighters propose change to alcohol policy