Does the Fire Department drug test?

Question

Accepted Answer

Yes, the Fire Department drug tests. All candidates are required to undergo a drug test as part of the hiring process. Fire Department employees are also subject to random drug testing, the union, county, and department dictate often random testing occurs. For example, some unions require random drug testing once every two weeks but do not test for the presence of alcohol.

The drug testing procedures and policies may vary depending on the department and location, but most fire departments use a urine drug test as a part of their pre-employment process and ongoing random drug testing policies for their employees.

The specific drugs that are tested for can also vary, but typically, the test screens for commonly abused substances such as marijuana, cocaine, opiates (including prescription opioids), amphetamines, and phencyclidine (PCP). Some departments may also test for additional drugs or include alcohol in their testing.

In recent years, there has been much debate concerning medical marijuana usage and whether to allow off-duty firefighters the right to indulge in their free time. In states where marijuana is legal, it's up to the state and department to make that decision. States that have adopted a provision not to discriminate employment based on lawful medical marijuana use extend this to firefighters as well, although a few states are fighting that.

The Fire Department also has a strict no-smoking policy, which includes the use of regular cigarettes, as well as chewing tobacco, electronic cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, vapes, or any other variations while inside the firehouse or fire truck. Some fire departments may even test firefighters for nicotine.