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Proposal would narrow post‑accident testing and change rehab suspension timeline for firefighters
Summary
Presenters proposed consolidating drug-and-alcohol testing appendices, exempting employees determined not at fault in vehicle accidents from post‑accident testing, and conditioning a 30‑day suspension on failure to complete a city‑approved rehab program within 180 days; disciplinary steps for relapse or second positives remain.
Presenter said the city plans to consolidate appendices G, H and I related to drug and alcohol testing into a single, clearer policy to remove inconsistent language and 'cut‑and‑paste' problems. The presenter said the rewrite aims to preserve existing policy intent while making the document workable and concise.
On supplemental forms, presenter described a request from Local 51 that an employee determined not at fault in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) should not be required to submit to post‑accident drug and alcohol testing. "If the employee is determined to not be at fault for an MVA then they should not be required to submit to post accident drug and alcohol testing," the presenter said, describing the proposed supplemental form.
Presenter also outlined a proposed change to the disciplinary timeline: employees would be issued a 30‑day suspension only if they fail to complete a city‑mandated approved drug and alcohol rehab program within 180 days from the initial positive test; employees who relapse or record a second positive test would remain subject to the disciplinary matrix up to and including termination. The presenter explained that current return‑to‑duty timelines can require employees to use substantial leave while setting up rehab and said the 180‑day completion window aims to reduce that burden.
Attendees asked whether the rewrite had been reviewed with the chief or administration; presenter said there had been some talks in HR and fire administration but the rewrite had not advanced far. No formal action was taken; the group agreed to review revised policy language at a future meeting.
