LEBANON, Tenn. — City council members will vote on a resolution Tuesday night that would stop firefighters from using fire engines to grocery shop or eat at restaurants while on the job.
WKRN reported that the Lebanon City Council said fire department personnel should be expected to bring any food items they need when they report for work.
“We average five to six calls a day. One of those calls we should be able to get a meal,” former Lebanon firefighter Chip Vanetta said.
Vanetta, who had worked for the department for 31 years, said he’s advocating for the department now that this resolution is on the table.
“We spend as much time at the department as we do at home,” Vanetta said. “If we’re already out on a call, why wouldn’t we be able to stop at a restaurant or grocery store and get our groceries?”
Councilwoman Kathy Warmath is sponsoring the resolution. She said she’s not against firefighters stopping by the grocery store, but that there needs to be a policy in place so use of the fire engines to run personal errands isn’t abused, according to the report.
The council will hold a public hearing before voting on the restriction.