Crystal
02-21-2005, 02:51 PM
Report of drunken firefighter investigated
Firefighter injured when call comes in on Super Bowl Sunday
The Ballston Spa Fire Department is looking into allegations of more alcohol related problems. Sources tell NewsChannel 13 that an intoxicated firefighter fell down at the firehouse and cut his head while getting ready to respond to a fire call on Super Bowl Sunday.They the firefighter was drinking at a Super Bowl party with other firefighters at the Union Firehouse on Route 50. According to sources, a fire call came in and the intoxicated firefighter tripped and fell down some stairs, injuring his head.
The injured firefighter is identified as Joseph G. Meunier. He'll be 26 years old on Friday.
Sources say he did not respond to the call and when his fellow firefighters returned they took Meunier to the hospital where he received several stitches to his head.
According to a source, his blood alcohol content was 0.16 percent. That's twice the legal limit for driving a vehicle.
The Ballston Spa fire chief said he can't confirm what happened because it's still under investigation. He also said he can't comment on the firefighters' blood alcohol content, but says he's "very concerned" about the incident.
This incident comes just three months after the fire department discussed banning alcohol from its two firehouses.
"We're seeing more and more fire departments taking a look at those issues because there are liability and responsibility concerns and public perception needs to be taken into account as well," said David Quinn of the Firemen's Association of New York.
That idea to ban alcohol at Ballston Spa's fire houses came after an incident in which three firefighters were drinking at the firehouse and making prank 911 calls.All three firefighters were thrown out of the department.
However, the fire company still allows alcohol.
One firefighter said this latest incident gives the department another black eye.
The mayor, who is also the village fire commissioner, declined a request for an on-camera interview, saying he wanted to get all the facts first.
Sources say the injured firefighter submitted a claim to the village to pay for his medical expenses. The mayor says that's possible, but he's not aware of such a claim.
Firefighter injured when call comes in on Super Bowl Sunday
The Ballston Spa Fire Department is looking into allegations of more alcohol related problems. Sources tell NewsChannel 13 that an intoxicated firefighter fell down at the firehouse and cut his head while getting ready to respond to a fire call on Super Bowl Sunday.They the firefighter was drinking at a Super Bowl party with other firefighters at the Union Firehouse on Route 50. According to sources, a fire call came in and the intoxicated firefighter tripped and fell down some stairs, injuring his head.
The injured firefighter is identified as Joseph G. Meunier. He'll be 26 years old on Friday.
Sources say he did not respond to the call and when his fellow firefighters returned they took Meunier to the hospital where he received several stitches to his head.
According to a source, his blood alcohol content was 0.16 percent. That's twice the legal limit for driving a vehicle.
The Ballston Spa fire chief said he can't confirm what happened because it's still under investigation. He also said he can't comment on the firefighters' blood alcohol content, but says he's "very concerned" about the incident.
This incident comes just three months after the fire department discussed banning alcohol from its two firehouses.
"We're seeing more and more fire departments taking a look at those issues because there are liability and responsibility concerns and public perception needs to be taken into account as well," said David Quinn of the Firemen's Association of New York.
That idea to ban alcohol at Ballston Spa's fire houses came after an incident in which three firefighters were drinking at the firehouse and making prank 911 calls.All three firefighters were thrown out of the department.
However, the fire company still allows alcohol.
One firefighter said this latest incident gives the department another black eye.
The mayor, who is also the village fire commissioner, declined a request for an on-camera interview, saying he wanted to get all the facts first.
Sources say the injured firefighter submitted a claim to the village to pay for his medical expenses. The mayor says that's possible, but he's not aware of such a claim.