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Drinking in the Fire House
Last week I went to lunch with some co-workers (non-FFs) and the discussion rolled around to my involvement with the FD. One of the guys said "well, you must have guys that just join the department for the drinking". This recalled to mind another comment by someone, some years back, who swore that ALL volunteer FFs drank at the station and "those who say they don't are lying".
In my department you might find a 6-pack or two if you look in every nook and cranny, but we really don't touch the stuff on drill night or after calls, or meetings. There just isn't stuff to touch. In the late 80s we had the converted soda machine that dispensed several brands of beer but we got rid of it because the Jr. FFs were becoming interested in the stuff.
So - what is your department policy or practice regarding alcohol in the firehouse?
NOTE: 10/16/09: I started this thread over two years ago to gather input from other volunteer firefighters on FFN as it was then. The new theme is, what steps can we take to make America's fire houses 100% dry?
In my department you might find a 6-pack or two if you look in every nook and cranny, but we really don't touch the stuff on drill night or after calls, or meetings. There just isn't stuff to touch. In the late 80s we had the converted soda machine that dispensed several brands of beer but we got rid of it because the Jr. FFs were becoming interested in the stuff.
So - what is your department policy or practice regarding alcohol in the firehouse?
NOTE: 10/16/09: I started this thread over two years ago to gather input from other volunteer firefighters on FFN as it was then. The new theme is, what steps can we take to make America's fire houses 100% dry?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Chief25sr on
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It's not allowed. Except if we're having a barbaque on the holidays or a department get together. But, if you were drinking your not allowed to respond to any calls and after the event you are to remove it from the firecompany property. We use to have it in the firehouse but haven't for many years now. In todays world the liabilities are too high. If you have an accident or someone gets hurt and they find out alcohol was involved. Watch out. Guess who will own your home or even the firecompany.
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Permalink Reply by Rich on
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Funny enough we just had a Probie show up to HQ the other day for a call and he was removed from the rolls. People seem to have the mantality from 20 years ago we are all still drunks. This twit didnt help it. Its pretty clear cut in my FD. If you drink...dont show up. If you drink down in the wreck room and there is a call...dont come up stair to the truck room.
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Permalink Reply by Heather Langston on
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We are not permitted to have alcohol on department grounds, nor are we permitted to show up intoxicated. It's a policy that I agree with. This profession is simply too dangerous to involve a judgement-altering substance like alcohol.
When I was a volunteer, I got stuck on a truck with one of the older guys who reeked of beer. Being new and fairly timid, I didn't say anything. Now, years later and with a much stonger personality, I realize that both of us endangered not only ourselves, but the people that we were supposed to protect.
So, to make a long story much shorter...I agree with keeping the alcohol away from the fire trucks.
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Permalink Reply by stephen bunn on
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same here we have zero tolerance if you even call the station drunk there is a possibility of repercussions
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Yeah, the beer filled soda machines belong at someone's house for off-duty flings. I'm not trying to sound preachy or anything, but I try to take care of my guys off-duty also. I'd hate to see anyone get popped for a DUI or worse.
But, I think we can all have a rippin' good time and still stay safe......
@%@#@^&...I'm getting old. LOL
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Permalink Reply by FF Schoen on
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I am not going to preach about it. I dont drink myself. My department does not allow alcohol in the fire house. You cant respond to anything if you are under the influence.
I have told the vollies at SFD that I work with that it really looks good on us when we see the havoc that drinking and driving causes and then you want to go do it yourself. What kind of example are you becoming for others to look up to; or do you just want to be another statistic? I dont mean to preach, but I just dont see how we can comprehend drinking and driving a rig to a fire call or a medical call when you are unable to control what your doing and then try and save someone elses life. I am sorry but thats just sooooo not cool.
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Permalink Reply by 214Firefighter18 on
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We are a dry company we have NO booze consumption in the firehouse or on the property. Our policy is if you show up to the station and have been drinking there WILL be disciplinary actions taken. This is way too much of a liability issue.
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Permalink Reply by Richard Lawson on
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Unfortunately, our department has no policy against it. Much to my chagrin. I drink occaisionally, but I feel that the firehouse or on the scene is not a place for it. I am one of the few in my department that feels this way. We are a volunteer dept. for the township and yes, some of the older guys would probably quit if we stopped that, (as well as some younger folk also). I could try and list the instances when it is not allowable but it would be easier to say that it's ok at anytime. We even have two fridges, one for soda and the other (locked) for beer. On several occasions, certain members have even responded being drunk. I have told the chief of my opinion on the subject but his feeling is "as long as we are a volunteer fire dept., that will never be taken away from the guys." He has no problem leaving things the way they are. I feel like the odd man out but I only feel it is a matter of time before something bad happens.
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Stick to your guns and lead by example. It will take time, and hopefully no one will get killed by a drunken idiot. But...in time some one will listen and take your advise. That one individual will express that idea to another. Soon, the newer members will join with the same mentality. And, someday soon, the chief will step down.
Steady the course and do what is right in your heart. It isn't easy following the high road, but it is certainly worth it.
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Permalink Reply by Jacquelynn D. on
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http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070802/NEWS01... and ill probably catch crap for this if anyone i know see's it and no this is not my department
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Permalink Reply by Kevin King on
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It should be,if you are under the influence you cant drive legally why should you be allowed to risk the lives of everyone around you on a incident.It matters not who you are after one drink your judgement becomes impaired.0(ZERO) tolerance.
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Permalink Reply by Gus2620 on
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My department is volunteer and we have a zero alcohol policy. There is never any in the station and if you've been drinking at home and a call goes out, sit home and listen on the radio. And if that isn't enough, many of us will drop our home trash off at the station dumpster and when we do we are careful to make sure there isn't any beer bottles or cans in our trash. That might sound a little over the top to some but that's how strongly we feel about it.
Personally I think it would be kind of crazy to have "only a couple of beers" then jump in a fire truck and go pull a guy out of his mangled car while he keeps saying "I only had a couple of beers".
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