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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 lloyd on
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AMEN to this statement. We are no better or above the law than the people we serve.
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Permalink Reply by Lt2406 on
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In my stations right now if you posess or show up on the property or at a call or drill with alcohol or you smell of it you are sent to the hospital for a blood test if you refuse you are expelled on the spot from the department. If you go and the test is neg then the department pays the cost of the test and you get a refresher on the policy. If it is positve you are gone no appeals just out the door! When I started in the fire service not only did the department I belonged to alow drinking we had a full complete bar in the station when we went to a parade a keg of beer was in a compartment on the truck. been to many fires when the officers and members were so drunk they were getting sick. Now when I look back I can't believe we didnot kill someone.
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Permalink Reply by Aaron Jones on
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AT MY OLD DEPARTMENT WE WERE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE ISSUE OF DRINKING AT THE FIREHOUSE AFTER OUR WEEKLY TRAINING (NOTICE I SAID MY EX-DEPARTMENT) THERE WERE NEVER ANY REAL PROBLEMS THAT OCCURRED BUT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN. AFTER TALKING TO THE CHIEF AND THERE BEING NOTHING DONE I DECIDED TO FIND A NEW DEPARTMENT. THE DEPARTMENT I AM WITH NOW WE HAVE A 0 TOLERANCE POLICY. THE ISSUE OF DRINKING AT THE FIRE STATION IS A LEGEND WE ARE TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM AS VOLUNTEERS AND DEPARTMENTS LIKE THAT BRING THE IMAGE OF THE REST OF US DOWN. I THINK THIS IS AN ISSUE TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY AND IF IT ISN'T IT NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHALL OR EQUIVALENT.
AARON D JONES
GREGORY VFD
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Permalink Reply by Jacquelynn D. on
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sorry i posted the wrong linik this should be the right one http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070807/NEWS01...
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Permalink Reply by Kris Langley on
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in my department we have a bar, however the only time the bar is opened is when we rent the banquet hall out to the public. No persons riding the rigs are allowed to have a drop of alchol or they will be suspened from the department for a month. Not only does drinking jeopordize the safety of yourself on a scene but also your fellow firefighters. It is just not something i, or the rest of the guys, are willing to risk.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin King on
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Good policy we should all adopt it,no preferential treatment.
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Permalink Reply by LadyChaplain on
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I am JEALOUS of everyone here that says they have a zero tolerance policy for drinking!!!!!!
With my company, we have 2 kegs on tap pretty much 24/7. Then there is canned bear available as well on a fairly regular basis.
The bylaws and SOPs state that alcohol is not to be consumed during any calls, during any drills, or any meetings, but outside of that, there are no limitations.
There is a statement that says that members consuming alcohol are not allowed to sign the sheet for a call or go on any trucks even after 1 beverage, but I've personally witnessed both happening without incident. I truly think this is a shame because, like said previously, alcohol carries a liability. I wish our hall was dry!!
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Permalink Reply by Amanda Dunlap on
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Our department has a no tolerance for drinking. It doesn't matter if you're on duty, there for a meeting or just hanging out it is absolutely not tolerated.
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Permalink Reply by Kyle McNeil on
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We can't drink at the station, we're paid to work. I have heard that long before I got there the FF's were allowed to have 3 beers a day with lunch and dinner. Things change for the better.
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Permalink Reply by Meri on
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I'm a Vollie, we have a bar at our FH, with taps and a soda gun. The soda gun is on all the time, but the taps are locked and only opened after meetings/functions and in the afternoons when the guys come down after work to unwind and play cards. There is always a responsible person there (usually the person with the keys) who "keeps and eye" on everyone to make sure they don't get stupid. We are pretty responsible as far as drinking and not going on the trucks (as far as I know). So far we really haven't had any problems with our system and it seems to be working pretty well.
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Permalink Reply by Drew Mortimer on
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well are chief won't have anything to do with it and r department follows suit. once in a while a farmer will drop off a case of beer for puting out a grass fire but it normally sits unopened in the frig tell some throws it out or takes it home. otherwise we all drink we just don't go on calls when were under the influence. yeah everybody has heard the horror stories about yea me and so and so went on this call back in 1970 somethin and we were all over the road and he was using the O2 to stay awake. but honestly i think its a thing of the past i would hope that people now days have a lil more respect and better morals
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Permalink Reply by FireRescue1.com on
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Check out the stories/comments out of New Jersey and New York. Departments there have been experiencing this as a full on hot button issue for the past few months. Follow this link for some good articles ... http://www.firerescue1.com/newsreports/292625/
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