By Jodi Hausen,Staff Writer

WILTON – A Wilton firefighter’s removal from an accident scene earlier this month prompted an amendment to the Fire Department’s alcohol policy.

Fire Chief Sonny Dunham and David Robie, director of NorthStar Ambulance, had adopted the zero-tolerance policy to address the incident. They brought the zero-tolerance amendment to selectmen Tuesday for approval.

On Aug. 3, while emergency personnel were extricating an accident victim, an emergency medical technician asked a sheriff’s deputy to remove a firefighter from the scene.

“There was a strong smell of alcohol radiating from his breath,” Blaine Rackliff, the EMT who complained about the unnamed firefighter, told selectmen.

The ambulance service has a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol use when staff are on duty.

“Our No. 1 concern is for the safety and comfort of our patients and EMTs,” Robie said.

Representing Fire Chief Sonny Dunham, who arrived late, Lt. Tom Doak, also a NorthStar employee, told selectmen that Fire Department officers fully support the amendment. It prohibits firefighters who have consumed any amount of alcohol from participating at any scene involving patient care or from having contact with any emergency medical personnel.

The alcohol policy, which selectmen adopted a month ago, permits firefighters to respond to emergencies with alcohol on their breath, but states they could not be “under the influence of any intoxicating beverage, narcotic drug or controlled substance.” It prohibits response of a firefighter who could be considered legally intoxicated or who is obviously impaired.

Although ambulance staff, firefighters and most selectmen were satisfied with the amendment, it prompted a somewhat heated discussion among selectmen as to whether the Fire Department should have a zero-tolerance policy in all instances.

Doak, and later Dunham, argued that the volunteer department would not have anyone to respond if such a policy were adopted.

If a firefighter has one beer in the evening and gets a call at 2 a.m., it is unlikely he would be impaired, said Selectman Terry Brann, agreeing with the firefighters.

“Alcohol is a legal substance,” Town Manager Peter Nielsen said. “What percentage of us drink beer legally?” he asked. Taking one sip of beer would leave alcohol on his breath but would not impair his ability to drive a car, he said.

But, argued Selectman Keith Swett, the only dissenting vote on the amendment, the people of Wilton expect professional service from the hospital. They should expect no less from the Fire Department.

“The credibility of the Wilton Fire Department is in trouble,” Selectman Paul Gooch said. “It’s going to need to work harder to change that image.”

Swett and others on the board were also concerned with the town’s liability if something should go wrong at a fire scene. Wilton firefighters are volunteers until they respond; then they are paid by the town, which may bring liability.

“We’re just asking for it,” Swett said.

“It could be a snowball that just gets pushed down the side of the mountain,” Rodney Hall said, agreeing with Swett. “It’s a huge liability issue.”