Drunk On Duty

[MedicPrincess]

My relief is having a really hard time right now. He and his wife have split up. She's being rotten about him seeing the kids. He thought he had a place to live, but it won't be ready for 2 weeks so he has taken to crashing at the FD or with friends. He's dealing with it by going out drinking nightly.

This morning at 0330 he came in, got something out of his locker, woke us up in doing so, and then crashed in the FD's training room on the floor. I should add, he has permission from the Chief at the FD to sleep there as long as he is up and out before the comissioners start coming around at 1000.

This morning at 0645 we tried waking him up for shift change at 0700. Nothing. At 0700 we were still trying and finally got him to grunt and stir a little. At 0710 we do radio checks and my truck went in service with the oncoming paramedic and me holding over. At 0715 my relief crashes through the station doors, and from across the room you can smell the alcohol. He mummbles something about being sorry he overslept and he's good. Let him have the radio and keys.

How would your respond???

I have ZERO tolerance for drinking and driving. NONE. Not "I had a really bad night and Im sorry" or "But I only had 2" or "But I stopped drinking a couple hours ago" tolerance. None, zero, no excuse. So I refused to give him the keys and radio. I wasn't mean or rude. I simply told him I am not giving you the keys you smell like you just walked out of a bar. He let loose with a string of swear words which ended with give them to him. I told him no, I'd be happy to hold over and let him sleep some more until he is fit to come in. At which point he walked over grabbed the keys from my hand and headed for the shower.

Now what would be your response???

I called my CPT. Informed him why I signed on as holding over when he had already cleared us to go home, and that my relief smells as though he came straight from a bar. I specifically told him I am not saying he IS drunk, I am telling him you can smell the alcohol across the room. So my CPT connects me to my reliefs CPT who tells me to hold over and he is on his way. He gets there, talks to my relief and his Medic. Then procedes to tell me well he says he stopped drinking at 2300, which means he hasn't had a drink in the last 8 hours, but we're going to watch him closely and see how he does.

So I was supposed to work OT today at double time a half. I was FLOORED. This CPT has an employee that you can smell the alcohol on his breath and he is going to let him drive. I said Your sure you want him to go inservice? He responds with Im the CPT on this shift and you will not question my decison. Okay then I say, I won't be working for you then. Take me off the Jacksonville transfer. What? Why? he is asking. So as I am walking away from him I tell him If he is going to knowingly let one of his EMTs go in service when they have been drinking and do nothing, I will not work for him. I will find my OT elsewhere.

I didn't make it to my car before my CPT was calling me to find out why I was refusing to work for the other one. When I told him, he asked me am I sure it was alcohol...Ummm yea. Okay, he understands why I won't work and he'll take care of it (my CPT is the senior officer, next under the Chief). On the way home he called to say it is being handled and I will need to see him and the Chief on Wednesday.

And then my relief cornered me at my car. Man, this is F'ed up. Im not drunk right now. Man you really screwed me up. No way can you smell it. And I tell him he is 3 feet from me and I can smell it on his breath. He gets closer than that to patients and S.O. and Highway Patrol, doesn't he think they will be able to also?

So now Im the bad guy for telling on him. and I am out my double time and a half for 12 hours. and I have to make a trip to our Admin offices on Wednesday, which I try to avoid like the plague. And just one more day I didn't make any friends.

Whys it suck so bad doing the right thing?

 

[Ridryder911]

You did the right thing. Inform him if he knows whats right and wrong?.. period. Even at a 8 hour duration, the amount ingested, body weight etc.. he still can be stinking drunk!.. Don't like the situation, then don't cause it ! He is responsible for his actions NOT YOU! Don't like the compromise partner, then don't give me cause to turn you in! Handle your grief, and sorrows appropriately, grow some koo-hoonas and suck it up partner, like the rest of us!

He is lucky the service is letting stay there, mine definitely would not, (not even staying over 3 hours after a busy night). He don't like being monitored, then don't parade or show yourself at the station house! Then definitely don't smell like a brewery!

He should be responsible for himself, his actions, and how he deals with problems.. yes, it is hard (whom, has not been there at least once?) but our job has responsibilities that can alter lives. One should have their full capacities, not even altered a little.... driving, performing care puts not your partner at risk, but the patient and the public as well.

I an proud you stood up and did the RIGHT thing!.. If more did this, then superiors would know and be used to handle this appropriately.

Now, I question why, your Superior did not immediately take action?.. sounds like, they need an reality check!

R/r 911

 

[rescuecpt]

You did the right thing... and you kept yourself out of harm's way. Always trust your gut. Good luck with everything there - hopefully admin won't give you a hard time - they shouldn't!

 

[MMiz]

You did the right thing, this is clear as day. The problem is that it's just not easy to deal with. If this was my service, they would have offered the guy two options: either he could go to the local hospital and be tested for alcohol, or he'd be fired on the spot.

I'm sure this doesn't make it any easier of a situation for you, but clearly you made the right choice. There are things you have to stand for, and I'm proud you didn't back down on this one.

 

[ffemt8978]

Whys it suck so bad doing the right thing?

Because if it didn't, everyone would do the right thing because it would be the easiest. You absolutely did the right thing, and handled it appropriately.

Are you guys required to have a CDL to drive your ambulances? The reason I ask is this. Even if the guy was under the .08% BAC limit for DUI, if you have a CDL and are driving a commercial vehicle your limit is .02% BAC. There's a reason professional drivers are held to higher standards, and ambulance drivers are considered professional drivers.

 

[FF894]

Because if it didn't, everyone would do the right thing because it would be the easiest. You absolutely did the right thing, and handled it appropriately.

Are you guys required to have a CDL to drive your ambulances? The reason I ask is this. Even if the guy was under the .08% BAC limit for DUI, if you have a CDL and are driving a commercial vehicle your limit is .02% BAC. There's a reason professional drivers are held to higher standards, and ambulance drivers are considered professional drivers.

DITTO! Just explain yourself well at the meeting. There is no way they can't understand why you did what you did from your side of the story. If they aren't on your side they should not be in the position they are in. I think that even if he was sober as a judge (which he was obviously not according to the story) but even if he was, his actions, appearance, and odor add up to actions unbecoming an EMT and unfit for duty. Should not be allowed to work.

 

[joemt]

I agree with Rid, the guy is:

#1 Lucky that the Capt. or whoever lets him stay at the Department... I'm guessing that since he wants him up and out of there by 10 AM, that he isn't "supposed" to be allowing off duty staff "sleep overs".

#2 Lucky that he doesn't work with any of us in this forum or our companies, otherwise he'd probably be adding "looking for a new job" to his list of woes.

#3 Lucky that he has someone like you not only watching out for the community, but also for HIM. He can look at is as "ratting him out" if he wants, but you may be saving him from jail time, murder, or even his own death. He'll likely never see it that way, but that's the truth.

You did the right thing, and you did it for the right reasons. I fair Chief / good leader will recognize that.

 

[Jon]

PA DOH says you aren't supposed to have consumed ETOH for at least 8 hours before your shift.

Showing up to calls (as a vollie) or to work with +AOB (Alcohol On Breath) is VERY BAD. My Vollie FD has suspended members for it... it isn't OK... EVER.

 

[wolfwyndd]

You did the right thing... and you kept yourself out of harm's way. Always trust your gut. Good luck with everything there - hopefully admin won't give you a hard time - they shouldn't!

Ditto. AND, I'd like to add that you potentially kept your PATIENTS out of harm's way which is, essentially, one of the reasons why we all work this job in the first place.

 

[oldschoolmedic]

You did the right thing right up until you reneged on your agreement to work. From a street point of view, it took guts to stand up to your relief. He has no excuse for his actions and should be disciplined appropriately.

On the management side, you had already obligated yourself to work an additional twelve hours on that shift. Now because the person in charge does something you don't like, you tell them you're not going to work the unit you signed up for, more than likely that is what your meeting is about. The matter had been dealt with in accordance with policy by your superiors. Whether or not you thought it was sufficient is irrelevant, it was their decision. Unfortunately, your decision to question the Captain's authority and then bail on your obligation left that shift short a truck, and that is something management cannot tolerate.

Where I work you would have, at the minimum, another day at the house to think about management's decision-making process and why they are right and you are wrong. Unless they went for the old insubordination chestnut in which case you would have a lot of time to ponder things while you search for a new job. It's the old we make the rules, you abide by the rules argument.

 

[Airwaygoddess]

You did do the right thing!!! He might not think so but you just saved his life, your life and your patients. Sometimes it is hard to be a defender of the faith!! You hang in there girl!!

My relief is having a really hard time right now. He and his wife have split up. She's being rotten about him seeing the kids. He thought he had a place to live, but it won't be ready for 2 weeks so he has taken to crashing at the FD or with friends. He's dealing with it by going out drinking nightly.

This morning at 0330 he came in, got something out of his locker, woke us up in doing so, and then crashed in the FD's training room on the floor. I should add, he has permission from the Chief at the FD to sleep there as long as he is up and out before the comissioners start coming around at 1000.

This morning at 0645 we tried waking him up for shift change at 0700. Nothing. At 0700 we were still trying and finally got him to grunt and stir a little. At 0710 we do radio checks and my truck went in service with the oncoming paramedic and me holding over. At 0715 my relief crashes through the station doors, and from across the room you can smell the alcohol. He mummbles something about being sorry he overslept and he's good. Let him have the radio and keys.

How would your respond???

I have ZERO tolerance for drinking and driving. NONE. Not "I had a really bad night and Im sorry" or "But I only had 2" or "But I stopped drinking a couple hours ago" tolerance. None, zero, no excuse. So I refused to give him the keys and radio. I wasn't mean or rude. I simply told him I am not giving you the keys you smell like you just walked out of a bar. He let loose with a string of swear words which ended with give them to him. I told him no, I'd be happy to hold over and let him sleep some more until he is fit to come in. At which point he walked over grabbed the keys from my hand and headed for the shower.

Now what would be your response???

I called my CPT. Informed him why I signed on as holding over when he had already cleared us to go home, and that my relief smells as though he came straight from a bar. I specifically told him I am not saying he IS drunk, I am telling him you can smell the alcohol across the room. So my CPT connects me to my reliefs CPT who tells me to hold over and he is on his way. He gets there, talks to my relief and his Medic. Then procedes to tell me well he says he stopped drinking at 2300, which means he hasn't had a drink in the last 8 hours, but we're going to watch him closely and see how he does.

So I was supposed to work OT today at double time a half. I was FLOORED. This CPT has an employee that you can smell the alcohol on his breath and he is going to let him drive. I said Your sure you want him to go inservice? He responds with Im the CPT on this shift and you will not question my decison. Okay then I say, I won't be working for you then. Take me off the Jacksonville transfer. What? Why? he is asking. So as I am walking away from him I tell him If he is going to knowingly let one of his EMTs go in service when they have been drinking and do nothing, I will not work for him. I will find my OT elsewhere.

I didn't make it to my car before my CPT was calling me to find out why I was refusing to work for the other one. When I told him, he asked me am I sure it was alcohol...Ummm yea. Okay, he understands why I won't work and he'll take care of it (my CPT is the senior officer, next under the Chief). On the way home he called to say it is being handled and I will need to see him and the Chief on Wednesday.

And then my relief cornered me at my car. Man, this is F'ed up. Im not drunk right now. Man you really screwed me up. No way can you smell it. And I tell him he is 3 feet from me and I can smell it on his breath. He gets closer than that to patients and S.O. and Highway Patrol, doesn't he think they will be able to also?

So now Im the bad guy for telling on him. and I am out my double time and a half for 12 hours. and I have to make a trip to our Admin offices on Wednesday, which I try to avoid like the plague. And just one more day I didn't make any friends.

Whys it suck so bad doing the right thing?

 

[Kaufman]

So I am on call at night and 3 other crew we go off to a park, one of the crew pulls out a beer and starts drinking it, this is like an hour into the shift.

we get a call and off we go. So we get to the call and do a home delivery. No one noticed anything and she seemed fine. At that time I was not insured for the ambulance. So I cannot really report it.

Problem is she is a little short on screws for her wheels at the moment. She seems to have forgotten the fact that the event took place, and she is making my life hell.
The only thing I can think to do is leave the ountry and then report it, but the problem is I dont thing anything would be done

 

[8jimi8]

first off this post is like 5 years old.

2nd.

WTF are you talking about?

You don't have insurance? and you need to leave the country?

Are YOU drinking?

 

[MMiz]

First, this post is years old. Second, I'm not quite sure what you're saying Kaufman. You're welcome to start a new thread with additional information if you'd like feedback from the community.

This thread is closed.