Editorial: After drug scandal rocks department, it’s time for New Britain and firefighters union to agree on a drug-testing policy

The thought of a firefighter using illegal drugs is enough to shock anyone, even in a world full of shocking news.

But in a story first reported by The Courant, New Britain officials, including Mayor Erin Stewart, said that the city had an alleged ring that used drugs at firehouses.

It must be noted here that these are the personnel that city residents count on in times of greatest need; the personnel who often are the first on scene in the gravest of emergencies when untrained members of the public do not have the background or skills to handle the emergency.

And according to Stewart, who has noted her own embarrassment over this scandal, several firefighters to date have admitted to being at work under the influence of drugs. Adderall was a popular drug for the loosely aligned group, but there was also evidence of less frequent heroin or marijuana use, Stewart has said to reporter Don Stacom.

Those caught up in this “black eye” for the department — the fire chief’s words — include senior firefighters: lieutenants, a supervisory rank; or drivers, an upper-seniority assignment.

The investigation into suspicions that this was taking place came after the suspected overdose death of an off-duty city firefighter in January. The city has since suspended seven firefighters without pay and fired one, according to city officials, and other firefighters filed retirement papers even while the investigation was still taking place.

But the city also is giving second chances.

Among requirements imposed, for those who wanted to keep their jobs, were that they admitted to violating the city’s code of conduct, accepted demotions and a three-year probation period during which they are not able to seek promotion, agreed to go to drug counseling or rehabilitation, and agreed to random drug testing at any time during the probation, according to city officials.

Fire Chief Rafael Ortiz said the personnel who are being allowed to return are remorseful, being held accountable and are getting the help they need. “There’s a path to redemption for those individuals,” he said.

Stewart made another point: “The reason these guys weren’t fired is that each of them told somewhat of their truth. The one that completely lies about everything is the one who was let go.”

Yet the department still does not have a drug-testing policy, four years after the process to develop one was started.

While union President Ken Keough has said “everybody has been working in good faith” and that the talks are close in terms of reaching an agreement, Stewart maintains the union has been stalling.

“It boggles my mind why the union has failed to coordinate with the city to put forth a policy that is going to ensure the safety of our citizens and the safety of the firefighting men and women of our department,” the mayor told Stacom.

The mayor also noted the real tragedy: It took the death of one of their own for the reality of what was going on to surface.

It’s understandable that the negotiations for a drug-testing policy could have been delayed as a result of the pandemic.

But months after a firefighter died and weeks after an explosive scandal first rocked this department, it is time for both sides to reach an agreement that gets the drug-testing policy in place.

Firefighters who were able to keep their jobs got lucky: They are getting help, too. Their union needs to stop saying “we’re getting there” about a policy that could have caught this drug use much sooner, and just get there.