Drug Testing
DEPARTMENTS
EDITOR’S OPINION
The Board of Selectmen of New Fairfield, CT, suspect drug abuse within the ranks of the city’s 130 volunteer firefighters. Urine testing has been ordered at the Danbury, CT, Hospital.
“We know there is a drug problem,” First Selectman Cheryl Reedy is quoted as saying. “And knowing that, we can’t very well sit back and do nothing.”
In the career fire service, a program like this is as easy said as done. However, there are many additional considerations to weigh when trying to take such a bold managerial step in volunteer services. New Fairfield has cushioned the edict by making such testing voluntary. However, those who do not pass or who do not volunteer to take the drug test can remain members of the fire service, but will be prohibited from driving fire vehicles.
We would like to applaud and encourage volunteer department efforts such as New Fairfield’s choice as the only way to go.
Of course, a volley of attacks will probably come from those concerned about the overall infringement that this testing makes on human individual rights, on the private personal life-styles of members of a volunteer organization (which may already be hurting from a lack of membership interest). But the results of the testing affect apparatus drivers only, not the entire department. And just whose rights are being infringed anyway?
What of the rights of those awaiting the protection that we volunteer to give?
What of the rights of our brother and sister firefighters who we are charged with transporting as safely as possible to the emergency scene? They have a right to expect that the apparatus will not be in the hands of an artificially stimulated or deadened foot controlling the accelerator. They have a right to expect that there will be no unnatural influence on a reaction time to apply a brake—a reaction time that may be never.
What of the rights of our interior structural firefighting forces who depend on the decisions and support services such as pump pressures soberly controlled and aerial or portable ladder devices properly placed to ensure efficient and safe operations?
We have made great strides in trying to stop firefighters from hanging onto the sides and rear of speeding fire trucks, and that fight will go on. However, it is imperative that we halt those firefighters who are only hanging onto the apparatus’ steering wheels.
