Beer in Minnesota Fire Station Gets Approval
NEW ULM, Minn.-- New Ulm's volunteer firefighters now can kick back and pop the top on a brewsky after a fire call or other related functions inside Fire Station buildings as a result of City Council action Tuesday.
The New Ulm Fire Department's request was approved on a 4-1 vote, with Councilor Sharon Weinkauf voting no. The affirmative vote also overrode concerns raised by Assistant City Attorney Roger Hippert who said allowing the firefighters to drink alcoholic beverages essentially on the job raised "some serious concerns about liability."
Hippert quoted from a League of Minnesota Cities publication, which listed a number of issues involved in allowing drinking in the fire station.
"I think there are some legitimate causes for concern like [operating equipment] while impaired and who is going to determine when a firefighter is impaired," Hippert said.
"The official stance of the department is that the individual is the best judge of when you're obviously intoxicated," said Scott Windschitl, president of the New Ulm Fire Department Relief Association.
In introducing the agenda item, Council President Dan Beranek said the issue could be argued both ways but, in the end, "I feel these [firefighters] who put themselves at risk in fighting fires are responsible enough to know when they've had too much. To me, the pluses outweigh the minuses."
"They're really leaving it up to the individual to determine, and the council could impose some restrictions," City Manager Brian Gramentz suggested.
"That's one of my main concerns that there are no limitations, and who decides when a fireman is impaired," Hippert said.
Mayor Joel Albrecht said he agreed with Beranek that New Ulm firefighters are "very responsible and should be able to enjoy one beer when they're through."
"What do you mean, one beer?" Weinkauf asked.
"Yes, one beer. I've been to several fire department functions, and that's all I've seen them drink," Albrecht said.
Republished with permission of The Journal.
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