N.J. Dept. to Drug Test Vol. Firefighter Candidates
Source The Press of Atlantic City, Pleasantville, N.J.
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Dec. 23--WEST CAPE MAY -- Prospective volunteer firefighters will undergo drug testing as well as criminal background checks under a policy being drafted.
The new membership application process will include background checks on the work history and driving record of the prospective firefighter. The process is expected to reduce liability for the fire company and the borough.
Borough Commissioner Ramsey Geyer has been working out details with fire company representatives and Borough Attorney Frank Corrado. Geyer said he thought it would be a contentious issue with the fire company but it turned out "to be no big deal."
"The fire company supports it," Geyer said.
Corrado said the firefighters even added a requirement that applicants be of "good moral character." While Corrado said this is somewhat subjective, he had no problem including it.
"The fire company felt pretty strongly. They expect people to be of good moral character," Corrado said.
Fire Chief Chuck McPherson said the policy would apply only to new members.
"We had no problem with it. We just updated the thing to kind of meet the requirements of the new world and get into the 21st century," McPherson said.
Borough Commission on Wednesday passed a resolution acknowledging the company's new process. Geyer said the fire company, which also does verbal interviews with prospects, will have a membership committee that goes though the process before submitting names of potential firefighters to the commission. Prospects will take the same drug tests an applicant for borough employment would take.
"If they fail the test they're out, just like an employee would be," Geyer said.
Names submitted to the commission would have already satisfied the new criteria.
"It gives the borough the protection it needs," Corrado said.
The Police Department would do a criminal background check. A "driver's abstract," which is a person's driving record, would come from the state.
The move was welcomed by Third Avenue resident Peter McDonough during the public portion of Wednesday's meeting.
"I was happy to hear the fire company put in that drug testing. I think it's very important for public safety and for the firemen themselves," he said.
Contact Richard Degener:
609-463-6711
