FireLink

We have it that we can do it.  Never have seen it yet.  We are a Volunteer company but we are under the townships insurance when we are on a call as township employees

Check with whoever is your insurance company or whoever is responsible for that

We do both background and random drug test's. The only time I  know of someone getting tested for alcohol, is when they show up on scene with it on their breath or appears to be under the influnence.

All we do is a DL check and the chief is supposed to do a criminal history check through the Police dept.

But I think we should go through the phisical,background and drug screen as dot requires for truck drivers and should be subject to random drug screens. After any accident/injury you should be required to submit for drug and alcohol testing

I have in the Consent form, that if any accident or injury results that testing will be done. The physical and mask fit test is my next step to get'n back up on our feet. I have my hands full now but I'm try'n to get there.

Yeah there is all kinds of things to do,,,,,That's what happen when certain people drop the ball for the last 10 years and you come in behind them and play garbage man and fix a problem. It sucks, cause I feel like I'm start'n a department from the ground floor up and fly'n blind. It's gonna take all of us to make it not just me.

Our department is required by the insurance company to do a back ground check before you join. My opinon we should have a drug test and back ground every year whither or not insurance requires it. In Missouri, if you are in an accident with a commercial you MUST take a drug test or you will be arrested on the spot. Chase1 is hit on the head. I don't know if it is a state law in some places or not. Good Luck with it and stay safe.

We had our meeting Monday and this is what is in place now,,,,, The Alcohol and drug consent form is now in place, all members signed it Monday and one person turned gear in,, hmmmm, The SOG's are in place, Drivers license and proof of Insurance were copied and filed and fit testing will done for all members. I am currently working on the background check form. One Step at a Time,,,, We are get'n there.

DoD, here the member has to go to the state DMV license office and request their own background check for like $10, and then provide it to the department.  Just a thought.  Saves you alot of trouble of permission forms and having to do it.  I guess you could always purchase one of those online things to check them all too, but I question their accuracy, and I don't think they are legally binding.

In my community, we have pre employment d/a testing and after any type of incident that damages equipment, such as app. I believe all FDs should do all employee testing.

Our chief he is the one that does background and 3 references ,We are redoing are bylaws they need to be up dated.

WHEN YOU TURN IN AN APPLICATION TO OUR DEPT YOU FILL OUT A PAPER GIVING US PERMISSION TO RUN A BACKGROUND CHECK ON YOU. THEY ALSO PULL YOUR LAST 2 YEARS DRIVING RECORDS. AS FOR THE DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING WE DO NOT DO IT, HOWEVER I KNOW OF A VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT AROUND HERE WHO DOES DO RANDOM TESTING.

if you test one you should test all, we fall under city employee status when on a call

My fire company dose not have either implemented, we are basically work off of the Good Old Boy's network and believe it is the responsibility of every Volunteer Firefighter and EMS personnel to be of good moral standing as a  example to the community we serve and not to show up for calls if we are not fit for duty weather it involves alcohol, prescription drugs or injuries that prevent us from meeting that standard. I believe though that it is a wise idea to have both A/D testing and background checks in place because not everyone is honest, trustworthy, and responsible and in a system such as ours it is easy enough to slip through the cracks which jeopardizes us all. So thank you for this posting and your concern not just for your company and yours / their personnel but for all involved when you are out on a call or just hang out at the fire hall. I think your on the right track and keep up the good work.

                          Sincerely,

                                             Heavenbound03 

I think it should be manditory for every body to do a background and drug screen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have just recently(within the past 2 years) started doing background checks. We are an all volunteer dept, but all new members have to pass a physical. This does not include a drug test. Every year after our initial physical we have an annual physical which is not as invloved.