Two Detroit firefighters accused of being in on-duty accidents while intoxicated earlier this year have resigned from the department.
The Detroit Fire Department had been investigating both incidents, which happened about a week apart from one another, WJBK-TV reports. The incidents have led the department to examine the problem of firefighters drinking on the job.
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On Feb. 21, a firefighter crashed into a woman's parked car while responding to a call after leaving a dinner party at the Engine 50 building. His blood-alcohol level allegedly was more than the legal limit.
On March 1, a firefighter was responding to a fire at a vacant house when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a wire fence, according to the Detroit Free Press. No one was injured in the accident.
"This isn't reflective of the men and women of the Detroit Fire Department, over 99.9% of them come in every day jeopardize their health and safety to save lives and property," Detroit Fire Commissioner Eric Jones said in a statement in March.
"Although our members are heroes and they do jeopardize their lives to save the lives of others, that does not give them the right to commit illegal acts such as consuming alcohol while on duty and driving," he added.
Following the incidents, city lawmakers began an environmental audit of the department into on-duty drinking and job factors leading to it, The Detroit News reports.
"We don't know the extent of the problem," Mayor Mike Duggan said during a press conference in March. "We're not here to focus on who is to blame. We're focused on how to solve it."
