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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 Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
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The tangential issue to this issue is drinking outside the fire house and responding.
It doesn't matter where you consumed the alcohol if you are drinking ANYWHERE and are responding after you drink.
WHERE is a non-issue in terms of responding after drinking.
Would you agree?
Art
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Permalink Reply by Ray W on
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yes i do
however
I think that taking the alcohol out of the firehall is not the answer.
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Taking alcohol out of the firehall IS the answer if you want to prove to your citizens that you respond from a fire station and not some after hours club.
It would prove to the naysayers that you are professionally trained firefighters and not a department populated by drunks and I am talking hypothetically. I am in no way accusing your department of being populated by drunks. My point is that if someone smells alcohol on your breath, you have not been drinking; you are drunk in their minds.
You will not convince them or the anti-alcohol/response group in the fire service that you control who gets on the truck at the time of the alarm.
You know as well as I do that, a department that has less than 100 calls a year is going to keep ones wanting to respond from responding, whether they have been drinking or not. And especially if it's the biggest fire you've had in years. They will go and little will be done to stop them.
We will never be viewed as on the same plane as career as long as alcohol is in the fire station. We will never be viewed in the same light as the professionals as long as there is acceptance to the practice of drinking and responding.
Look at what I am sitting on in my picture. Just like I would NEVER be foolish enough to get on THAT after I have been drinking-and I drink occasionally-I would never attempt to participate in the most dangerous tasks known to Man on a fire ground after consuming alcohol.
Period.
TCSS.
Art
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Permalink Reply by Tina on
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NO Alcohol in the fire house. Not to mention we're a dry county!
We have a lot of young volunteers, and quiet frankly, since we are a volunteer department we work hard to look professional, knowledgeable and efficient. Allowing alcohol in the station OR allowing those who have had a drink or two to hop in ANY apparatus and go on a call would definitely not portray a good impression.
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We just need to agree that we disagree on this subject.
I dont agree with your logic on the subject & you dont agree with mine
As to be viewed as "Professional" as a paid department;A volunteer department is way different than a paid department. and the 2 will never be viewed the same.
I can't ride the truck anymore so maybe my opinion shouldn't be weighed in this discussion
I too used to ride a motorcycle; & I never drove it after drinking
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Ray;
So we agree that it is not a good idea to get on a motorcycle after drinking.
Come on; we're almost there on this.
Your opinion matters, even if I disagree.
Let's discuss this a little more and then, you will completely agree with me!
Art
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I can agree that access to the alcohol should be limited; & that it should not be readily available {i.e. the converted pop machine} but that is as far as I will go. I don’t see the need to get rid of the beer / alcohol. I used to enjoy a nice beer or two after a meeting {as I stated before} and then go home after a hard days work. The beer is not the problem; it is the people who are irresponsible and put their lives & the other people on the truck or engine @ risk. If you take the alcohol out of the hall they will drink somewhere else. The line of thinking that making a fire hall dry will solve the problem of a FEW bad apples is flawed.
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Ray:
Now; you're talking.
The only issue that remains is responding after a few beers, whereever they are consumed. You are absolutely correct. Taking it out of the fire hall WON'T stop those who wish to drink, then respond. And if common sense was the rule of the day, there would be no issue, but we know that is not the case. That is why there are so many policies with a drug/alcohol rider attached to them. Because we can't rely on people to exercise good judgment, it has to be legislated.
What you should consider is this: if two, 12 ounce beers are consumed very quickly, your BAC will be above .08 and you could be arrested for DUI. Theoretically, if you have cops who aren't real fond of FFs, they could nail you responding from the bar or pulling the engine out onto the apron. Is it worth it?
My point is: don't drink and respond. If you drink and I do, then stay where you are. The job will get done without you.
Thanks for keeping the discussion civil.
Art
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Permalink Reply by Greenough Vol. Fire Dept. on
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NO TOLERANCE AT ALL FOR ANY ALCOHOL BEVERAGE ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GROUNDS!!!!!
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS NOT A PLACE TO BE DRINKING!
SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY!!!!
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Permalink Reply by Will2745 on
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all the talk about drinking in the fire service, and what do i see this morning? While looking thru profiles i see pictures of firefighters, in dress uniform, with beer in their hands,,,In my opinion, this is not a good image of firefighters, whether in the station or at a private home, or at a party,,,not something the public should see
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Permalink Reply by Greenman on
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At least they were in dress uniforms and presumably at a formal function of some kind...Firemen's Ball, Dining out, Annual dinner, etc... Where a cocktail hour, or "Social Hour" is perfectly acceptable and expected. I'll presume that they all had a sober ride home with their spouses, or other designated driver since there's no evidence to the contrary. (Gotta have faith our brothers).
I would find it UNACCEPTABLE if they had been wearing station uniforms or Turnouts and were drinking beer. I think most of us would (there are some hold-outs, apparently).
My point is this: there is nothing wrong with Firefighters consuming alcoholic beverages together when it is appropriate, when they are not driving, and in appropriate settings. Therefore a photo of firefighters wearing dress uniforms drinking beer together is something we should hide. Nor should we hold that out as our calling card, so posting it on a Social Network for FIREFIGHTERS should be perfectly acceptable. It is OF firefighters, posted by a firefighter and FOR firefighters.
If you can't relax among Brothers and Sisters, then who CAN you relax with?
GM
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You would have to leap to too many conclusions based on the perception that a picture gives you.
I would not be willing to flog the entire fire service because firefighters were in dress uniforms at an official/social function where Class A's were required and yes; alcoholic beverages were served.
Dare I say that I have seen people in military uniforms consuming alcohol at a formal function and no one seemed the least bit concerned.
We need to look carefully at just how microscopic we want to break this stuff down to.
St. Florian is our saint.
We are mere mortals.
TCSS.
Art
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