Is your Department Smokefree?

[babyflames]

I heard that HRM doesn't hire firefighters that smoke. Is that true and does anyone know of any other Departments that have the same hiring policy?

[Bones42]

Who or what is HRM?

[babyflames]

sorry, HRM (Halifax Regional Municipality)

[Firefighter1219]

Most of the major departments in Florida have that policy. Tallahassee Fire Department, Jacksonville Fire Rescue, Orange County Fire Rescue, etc.

[quint6captain]

As of November 1996, our dept has prohibited tobacco use in any form by new hires. This includes on or off duty time. I believe that another dept in the state also prohibits alcohol use as a condition of employment. I can understand the non-smoking part, but I have a problem other aspects of these policies. Of course, this is just my opinion.

Q6cap

[ndvfdff33]

babyflames..I think HRM is looking for all new firefighters who come on to be non-smokers..It says in the application guide "Non Smoker and Maintains Non-Smoker Status"...Yes there are still members who do smoke but for the new recruits I think its a no no..

[FireChaplain186]

Arlington County, Virginia has the same policy -- no tobacco products of any kind, on or off duty, for new hires (in effect for at least several years now). I'm pretty sure that prior smokers were grandfathered, though -- folks who smoked before the policy went into effect were exempted. I think that Fairfax County (right next door) has the same or similar policy, and I know there are several others in Virginia as well (which I thought was odd, considernig Big Tobacco's influence here ;) ).

Tony

[LCFD77]

La Crosse WI has the same policy as some of the above. When I was hired 2 years ago I signed a contract saying I would not smoke or use any tobacco product on or off duty. Have no problem with that....my question is this: How is the second hand smoke I am consuming from the "grandfathered" guys any different? They can sit 2 feet away and smoke all day, yet I am supposed to stay smoke free??

Does anyone have any research on second hand smoke for me?

Thanks,
Tryg

[dchomen]

Ditto for our department, very few grandfathered still choke down a cancer stick. No smokes in the house or the apparatus. Some jakes however say hey i choked down so much smoke before SCBA it isn't gonna matter. Stay Safe and Keep Low.jack

[BD6413]

I've seen this posted here and herd of it but I don't get it --- How can an employer tell an employee {Firefighter or Not} what he or she can and can't do when their off duty ? Yeah I can see enforcing No Smoking while On Duty for a number of reasons but off the clock ? Na just don't understand - Yeah we all know smoking isn't very healthy but look at all the crap we inhale at an alarm, if you don't have exhaust vents in the fire house look at the long term health risk there....I can Understand Fire Stations being NO SMOKING - I work in one that enforces that.

[greapr]

My departments policy is smoke 'em if you got 'em.

[firenresq77]

Originally posted by BD6413
I've seen this posted here and herd of it but I don't get it --- How can an employer tell an employee {Firefighter or Not} what he or she can and can't do when their off duty ? Yeah I can see enforcing No Smoking while On Duty for a number of reasons but off the clock ? Na just don't understand - Yeah we all know smoking isn't very healthy but look at all the crap we inhale at an alarm, if you don't have exhaust vents in the fire house look at the long term health risk there....I can Understand Fire Stations being NO SMOKING - I work in one that enforces that.



Employers don't want to have to pay for medical bills for someone who "got lung cancer from the job" but has smoked cigarettes for 20 years. Yes, you may inhale fumes, suck in a little smoke, but that is all job related. Smoking is not.