More Iowa fire stations are nixing beer drinking - Brief Article

Modern Brewery Age, Oct 14, 2002

AP--The president of the Iowa Fireman's Association said he has seen a trend toward zero tolerance of alcoholic beverages in Iowa fire stations. "Our customers are the public, and they expect their firefighters to be professional and well-trained, whether they are volunteers or career employees," said Tom Hancock, president of the 15,400-member Iowa Firemen's Association.

The issue gained attention last week when an Elgin city councilwoman notified the city's insurance company that firefighters had beer in the refrigerator at the fire station.

Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co. notified the city by letter that their policy could be canceled unless the beer is removed from the fire station.

Chief Ron Hills said the beer was removed, but firefighters are upset about it and plan to go before the city council to complain. He said firefighters sometimes socialize after meetings and do not respond to fires if they've been drinking. There is no law against off-duty firefighters drinking beer in the fire station, said Lynn Walding, administrator of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division.

Hancock, who is also fire chief in Epworth, said the firemen's association will take no position on the Elgin controversy. "That's between the town, the fire department and their insurance carrier," he said.

Hancock said social drinking at fire stations has been a tradition among volunteers at many departments. He said he implemented the zero-tolerance policy at Epworth when he took over as chief 15 years ago. "There were some lively discussions of the new policy, but the firefighters have adhered to it very well," he said.

Beer is much less prevalent in fire stations than it was two decades ago, said Steve Meyer, chief of the Garrison Fire Department in Benton County. "Firefighters are more conscious today of their safety and their image," said Meyer, a past president of the Iowa Fire Chiefs Association.