Beer OK in WI firestation

[ameryfd]

In Wisconsin, and I'm sure in other state, citizens can submit a petition for a referendum on almost any topic. They are required to have a certain % of registered voters in that jurisdiction. The governing body then has two options. One is to agree or pass the referendum issue, therefore no vote is required. The second is to not agree to the referendum issue, therefore a vote is required. You can see a few odd referendum questions with this system but also some good ones.

My take is that the council here wanted beer out, some of the FD circulated a petition requesting a referendum the council opted for a vote versus allowing beer in the fire hall or issuing the license. I don't know this as fact, just a guess at this point.

Very Correct...... It's called direct legislation.....same process used to get the stupid "let's immediately withdraw from Iraq" resolutions on 32 ballots in the state last week. Local govt's have no choice in the matter, and they can be binding...(not sure about this one)......

[scfire86]

Here's a novel idea. Since beer is needed (gimme a break) for the social aspect. How about moving the social aspect to a seperate location?

The firehouse should be for business....period!!

[KEEPBACK200FEET]

"See what had happened was, we elected Jim as Asst. Cheif because everyone liked him and he was half way through his FF1 and he came up with this idea."

Sounds like one of those kinds of situations to me.

[scfire86]

"See what had happened was, we elected Jim as Asst. Cheif because everyone liked him

Great qualifications to be chief. A popularity contest determines who manages the public's welfare.

[Jasper 45]

Great qualifications to be chief. A popularity contest determines who manages the public's welfare.

SC, are you going to tell me that the members of your department do not vote on who your Chief Engineer is? Everyone keeps telling us that our jobs are the same, no difference. Surely, you must have an election for chief, or your lieutenants.

[scfire86]

SC, are you going to tell me that the members of your department do not vote on who your Chief Engineer is? Everyone keeps telling us that our jobs are the same, no difference. Surely, you must have an election for chief, or your lieutenants.

Not in the career ranks. In our dwindling reserve workforce that is how it is done.

And with a little luck, our vollie program will eventually collapse under its own weight.

[TruckGuy2]

Our dept in WI had beer, new Chief last year took it out due to obvious reasons. He was voted out this year (wonder why) and old Chief back in..yep, more beer in the fridge than soda and water again.

I feel safe working with this bunch!

[Chief2701]

Here's a novel idea. Since beer is needed (gimme a break) for the social aspect. How about moving the social aspect to a seperate location?

The firehouse should be for business....period!!

I couldn't agree more.. At my house no alcohol period at any time! for any reason... All fire department events or functions which will involve alcohol are always held off site ( Firefighters ball, Picnic etc.) no exceptions.

[Chief2701]

I see nothing wrong with it. I myself don't drink. We do have alcohol in our stations and it is allowed. Rules are if you drink you don't answer calls. You do and you suffer serious consequences. People tend to forget Volunteer FD's are also a social type of an organization just like an Elks. We just happen to fight fires. I see no harm if a member partakes in a few drinks after a long day at work or on a meeting night. Whether at a bar or at home he is going to do it. At least at the station a fellow brother is going to be sure the person is taken care of if the member has one to many.

Again I will disagree a volunteer department "Is not a social organization" it is a public service organization first with social aspects, what about public perception? Try this one, a house full of firefighters drinking and the tones drop...parking lot full of cars, house full of appartus and no one to respond...that will make you real popular at your next fund drive.

We maintain a zero tolerance policy for alcohol at my station (Combination IAFF 3151 and IVFA), and trust me we are not a bunch of monks, in my community when the tones drop, the citizens can rest assure that firefighters will arrive, not a couple of ELKs who just happen to fight fires.

[StillLearning]

Our dept in WI had beer, new Chief last year took it out due to obvious reasons. He was voted out this year (wonder why) and old Chief back in..yep, more beer in the fridge than soda and water again.

I feel safe working with this bunch!

I've had a few instances where I've gone to teach a class and the department actually attempted to drink beer during the classroom part. There was one department in the north central part of the state where I taught a one night class. As soon as I shut off the lights to begin the presentation I could hear several cans popping open. The lights went back on and they got my usual message that the beer can go away and we can have class, or the beer can stay out and I will go away. We are backed on this 100%, and I and several others have basically left classes over this. I also announce at the beginning of cert classes that if I smell alcohol on anybody they will not be participating for the class. This whole article still angers me.

[BFDNJFF]

Again I will disagree a volunteer department "Is not a social organization" it is a public service organization first with social aspects, what about public perception? Try this one, a house full of firefighters drinking and the tones drop...parking lot full of cars, house full of appartus and no one to respond...that will make you real popular at your next fund drive.

We maintain a zero tolerance policy for alcohol at my station (Combination IAFF 3151 and IVFA), and trust me we are not a bunch of monks, in my community when the tones drop, the citizens can rest assure that firefighters will arrive, not a couple of ELKs who just happen to fight fires.

I stated you drink you don't answer the call. It’s simple as that. You do and you suffer serious consequences. A full house of firefighters drunk? Highly unlikely and if the situation were to arise that’s what mutual aid is for and I highly doubt that all 3 station houses will have no members able to run a call due to drinking.

IMO it still is a social type of group that does public service. We have been for over 100 years and unlikely will change. Like I stated I myself don’t drink but do not condone others who do as long as its responsibly. Manning of volunteer stations are hard enough these days and you start taking away all perks and imagine what can happen.

Not for nothing it works for us. It may not for you or your department but to each its own. I will not force you to do what you don’t want to and vice versa.


Edit:
If your comparing a paid dept. where its your job then drinking is a definate NO NO. Vollunteer FD and paid are 2 different beasts.

[KEEPBACK200FEET]

Drinking in a firehouse is NOT a "perk", it is an immature and unneccesary action. OSHA would more than likely close down the whole operation if they came in and found firefighters under the influence and found out that the department allowed these individuals on the premesis.

[ameryfd]

I stated you drink you don't answer the call. It’s simple as that. You do and you suffer serious consequences.

The real problem is if you do...your fellow firefighters will suffer serious consequences.

If your comparing a paid dept. where its your job then drinking is a definate NO NO. Vollunteer FD and paid are 2 different beasts.

This is the attitude that gives us the "are volunteers real firefighters" threads on this forum.


The age of beer in the halls of Wisconsin VFD's is on it's dying breath. Things are not like they used to be.

[911brad]

.............

[StillLearning]

Brad

As a fellow Wisconsinite and one who commented on this issue I want to say two things.

Yes, alcohol in the fire station still exists in Wisconsin in a few places. Ours doesn't allow it which I'm glad about and I do enjoy a beer on occasion. At no time did I consider your department bad or did I doubt that you have professional and dedicated people such as yourself. Your local officials and leaders are the ones who need to get educated. This was a nice post you wrote, big of you. My issue was that it made headlines and the reputation is portrayed of all departments, not just yours. Local politics are nothing you have control over, you can't let it drive you nuts or away.

As far as the GOB network we've all dealt with it. Look at it that over time change will occur and it will be for the good as long as you and your fellow firefighters keep thinking the way you obviously are.

Again, I think the fact that you posted says alot. Good luck, be safe, and just keeping doing things in a positive manner!

[sklump]

I don't think this is a paid volunteer thing, paid fire dept. like Chicago have also had beer in the house.

[ThNozzleman]

Manning of volunteer stations are hard enough these days and you start taking away all perks and imagine what can happen.

Soooo....you're manning them with people who are intoxicated? And don't say guys who have been drinking don't catch some rides, because we all know better.

[ChiefReason]

Hey, Wisconsinites;
Is Monroe Fire School still THE social event of the year?
Watching the folks roll into the campground and tapping their first keg.
And I keep hearing that Monroe is still one of the best schools to go to, but nobody ever says why.
Is it the training or the "social" aspects? Or are we calling that "networking" now?
CR

[ameryfd]

Hey, Wisconsinites;
Is Monroe Fire School still THE social event of the year?
Watching the folks roll into the campground and tapping their first keg.
And I keep hearing that Monroe is still one of the best schools to go to, but nobody ever says why.
Is it the training or the "social" aspects? Or are we calling that "networking" now?
CR

Chief...

Never heard of the Monroe Fire School, but we're way up north from there so it may be a local thing. Please don't lump us all together. Just as I'm sure there must be people from Illinois who aren't FIB's, there are FD's in Sconie who don't behave that way...

[StillLearning]

Hey, Wisconsinites;
Is Monroe Fire School still THE social event of the year?
Watching the folks roll into the campground and tapping their first keg.
And I keep hearing that Monroe is still one of the best schools to go to, but nobody ever says why.
Is it the training or the "social" aspects? Or are we calling that "networking" now?
CR

All our conferences have a "social hour". If you think Monroe is good try Telemark or Tomahawk.

Yep, Monroe is a dandy training opportunity. You can learn and have fun at the same time.

BTW, having been to an Illinois IAAI seminar in Champaign I noticed you people like to 'network' down there too! :-)