Firefighting & Rescue Social / Professional Network
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 Erin Shea on -
I think this is a great question. My fire department does not have a beer vending machine, nor have we ever had one. As far as allowing beer in the station, well we have to have permission from the department as a whole. Since I have been on, I think we have only had two occasions that we were allowed to have beer. There are a couple departments in my area that do have vending machines for beer, and the members are allowed to have beer at meetings and after trainings. If you have members that are younger than 21 and you have those vending machines, I think your just asking for trouble.
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Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on -
absolutely 0 tolerance for it on the property, or showing up under the infleunce whether call or non call.
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Permalink Reply by Erin Shea on
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Well Mike we all know that doesn't always happen either, especially with a certain officer that we both know!
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Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on
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HAHAHA!!!! ABSOLUTELY!!!!!! The night of a local banquet I recall taking over the brush truck from a partially intoxicated individual....cough same one cough..... and that individual never had repocussions. I guess its not really zero tolerance in reality, just on paper
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Permalink Reply by Kevin King on -
I agree with my partner on this,show up intoxicated go home suspended.
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Permalink Reply by capt dennis on
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well my dept is vol dept and we all drink very seldom but the fire house property heck no chief is a state trooper so i don't think he would like it to well but in my opinion on this is it shouldn't be allowed for the simpel reason is that if a run would pop in what are your first instinct it is to jump on the truck and haule ass so on the property no out side of fire house like at home or bar hey go for it but leave your pager's and two-way's at home that is my opinion
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Permalink Reply by Dan Hoey on -
After a drill we sometimes have one or two but is not bought by the department and we do not get drunk and its not an everyday thing. After a drill if a few guys want to stand around in the truck house tell war stories and have again 1 or 2 we chip in buy a case for 15 guys. We do have a 0 tolerence for anyone shows up for a call or training stinking of booze it would be your last call. But everyone remember this if you make a volunteer fire department a place of no fun and all BS and people with bad attitudes guess what people stop coming! When I was a paid man No we had no drinks but it was a job
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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Marlow on -
Dan, don't you think there can be "fun" at the fire house without alcohol? Our department has made it a policy that no firefighter will consume on fire house grounds even during a function. We have lost several firefighters, but they were only in it for the drinking. That is something that is not tolerated. Now, we have a great bunch of firefighters and the community is proud of us. They don't like to hear or see firefighters drinking on or off the job. They feel if the firefighters are called out, they better not have been drinking.
Sorry I got on my soap box, but it is not safe and firefighters are setting an example for all to see. Not only that, they are representing their community and it just doesn't look good. We are there to save life and property, not to cause more damage.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin King on
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Our assit.Chief is a deputy sheriff. We do have a deputy on our county that will effect a DUI arrest on the spot if you drive to the scene under the influence.
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Permalink Reply by Craig Newland on -
we are not allowed to have any alcohol in the station no matter what the reason. There is no much to loose if you are caught with it in the station.
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Permalink Reply by GelorupRookie on -
We might stock a 6 pack of light beer in the fridge for those who wish to have one beer after training. Generally all drinking is done at members houses during BBQ's.. West Australia has a no alcohol policy for FF on duty..
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