Drinking before trainning

Should a member who showes up to a trainning course under the influence of alchol and kicked out of that trainning couse still be apart of the company? From a recent story i have heard there was a member from a company that showed up to a course under the influence and all he got was a slap on the wrist and that was it, i dont know if thats the type of person i would want manning a hose behind me or on a search and rescue team with me not only putting the patience life in danger but everyone in the companies and myself

3 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Norm Tindell on May 12, 2011 at 7:13pm

Without knowing more about the situation: I'd have to agree with an instructor who bars the firefighter from the class. Then I'd probably be in favor of placing the individual on company probation at the least.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on May 12, 2011 at 7:16pm

Should a member who showes up to a trainning course under the influence of alchol and kicked out of that trainning couse still be apart of the company?

I would say they are not allowed to train, going further by requiring them to get a ride home vs letting them drive, but they don't need to be kicked out of a company.

It would be one thing is a person was chronically showing up inebriated or responding after drinking, but just because they showed to a training doesn't mean they need to be booted.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by carlitos on May 12, 2011 at 8:02pm

Jason, depends on how frecuently that person drinks or how much. If it's only once, he or she deserves a punishment. Otherwise, he or she should be ordered to seek proffesional help and maybe re-assigned to do other tasks. That's my experience of 26 years of service, where I even had mates with drugs problems...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by carlitos on May 12, 2011 at 8:04pm

and don't forget that our job demands too much of our mental strenght. The problem is that there're a lot more rescuers with hidden alco or drugs problems...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on May 12, 2011 at 8:07pm

First offense - bar the student from the class, give him a ride home (don't let him drive), and report him to his chief.

Second offense - too bad he wanted to be a firefighter.

Our job is dangerous enough without mixing alcohol with it.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by 55 TRUCK on May 12, 2011 at 10:16pm

What kind of training, classroom or practical? Is the ff paid on duty or a vol? Was he
shit faced or just had the smell of alcohol on there breath?
Ever thought of the why?
As for how to handle it.
BROTHERHOOD.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark Oomkes on May 13, 2011 at 8:19am

Sounds like it was handled about the same as I would.

But define "under the influence". This was discussed not too long ago because perceptions have changed.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by WestPhilly on May 13, 2011 at 9:31am

Yes, define not only "under the influence", but "slap on the wrist" as well.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bob Callahan on May 13, 2011 at 9:45am

Not knowing specifics and going simply on your second hand information, I wouldn't want to comment specifically about your case.

That being said, any member that shows up for a training session, call, work day, or any other fire department activity under the influence should at a bare minimum be suspended for an extended period of at least 4-6 months. In my opinion, it should warrent immediatte dismissal from the department.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bob Callahan on May 13, 2011 at 9:50am

With all due respect, any member that shows up for a fire department function after drinking sure as hell ain't my brother.

Sure, some may say it's "only training" so what's the big deal? What happens if we get a run during training? Bottom lineis he is impaired and he sure wasn't thinking about the his brothers well being when he downed that beer before heading for the fire station.

By the way, this also applies to "brothers" who show up to training and runs impaired by the effects of some over the counter and perscription drugs or simple exhaustion/lack of sleep. "Brothers" don't come in if they aren't mentally capable of operating in an emergent situation and "brothers" don't but the other volunteers on scene at risk.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jason Abram on May 13, 2011 at 10:58am

thank you all for the replys and this individual is both underage and it was a ff1 class

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bill Carlisle on May 13, 2011 at 11:01am

I feel the course instructor did the right thing on his part , a big safety concern for all involved in the course . And if i was his chief he would have at least a two week suspension and a thirty day probation .