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Committee tables Daley’s charter amendment to ban on‑duty alcohol for uniformed firefighters after chief and union objections
Summary
Supervisor Chris Daley’s proposed charter amendment to make on‑duty drinking by uniformed firefighters a misdemeanor and grounds for dismissal was debated; Fire Chief Hayes White and firefighters urged that existing comprehensive policies and treatment options suffice. The committee tabled the proposal after public and departmental testimony.
Supervisor Chris Daley introduced a charter amendment to make it unlawful for uniformed members of the fire department to consume an alcoholic beverage while on duty, with violations to be a misdemeanor and grounds for dismissal. Daley said he intended a simple, clear zero‑tolerance rule focused on public safety and proposed an amendment excluding uniformed members of the division of fire prevention and investigation.
Fire Chief Hayes White testified at length that the San Francisco Fire Department already maintains "one of the most comprehensive drug and alcohol policies of its kind," calling the proposed amendment "punitive" because it singles out firefighters rather than treating alcohol or drug dependence as a medical issue. The chief said the department’s random testing and post‑accident testing program had tested over 1,600 members with five or fewer positive tests, and that the existing disciplinary and treatment pipeline works.
Several supervisors pressed for data and questioned whether the charter change would add enforcement tools not already available. Supervisor Eric Marr asked for the data showing whether the problem persists at prior levels; Chief Hayes White responded that random testing produced five or fewer positives out of roughly 1,600 tests and offered to provide the department’s data.
Multiple public commenters — including Local 7 representatives and active firefighters — urged caution, argued for treatment and rehabilitation, and said addiction is a disease. A firefighter in the audience said on‑the‑job drinking is already a fireable offense under current practice and urged compassion and second‑chance programs.
After witnesses and public comment, Supervisor Daley moved to table the item. The committee took the motion without objection and tabled the charter amendment for further consideration.
