Editorial: Firefighting under the influence is a danger to all — including public trust

Is there anyone we trust more than a firefighter ?

These are the people who don’t just respond when called. They literally walk into fire. But despite the name, fire is only part of the job. They pull people out of vehicles when they are trapped there after a crash. Think of a dangerous situation and a firefighter is the person who will show up and stand between life and death.

And frequently, they do it for free. Most firefighters in Pennsylvania are volunteers and their numbers are shrinking. While Pennsylvania’s population has increased by about 4% since the 1970s, the number of volunteer firefighters has fallen from a high of about 300,000 to less than 40,000 as of 2024.

So it hurts to hear about volunteer firefighters who fall short of the trust invested in them.

Undercliff Volunteer Fire Company in Shaler disciplined five of its members for responding to a call while under the influence of alcohol Aug. 2.

Let’s be clear. No one was hurt. There was no property damage. But it has to be noted that may be because of the nature of the call itself. It was based on a smell of smoke in the building and turned out to be a false alarm.

That means the lack of a negative outcome shouldn’t mean the incident should be shrugged off. Where there is a perception of smoke, there may not always be fire. Most firefighters would probably advise caution just in case.

The potential danger of an impaired firefighter at the scene of any emergency cannot be underestimated. It is the child who isn’t found under a bed. It is the blaze that isn’t controlled because of a delayed reaction. It is the peril to the firefighter’s own life.

Some may suggest the need for volunteers outstrips those concerns. It shouldn’t. The dearth of committed, community-minded people willing to put their lives on the line for our safety and property is maybe the most important reason to demand this very basic minimum. There is an obligation to protect the volunteers we have and these first responders must be able to rely on each other implicitly.

The five volunteers have not been identified. What we do know is that one has resigned and another has been reinstated, while the other three remain suspended.

The suspensions speak of a responsibility shouldered by Undercliff. That is unsurprising. Shouldering responsibility is what fire departments do.

The resignation would seem to imply the same. It shows an understanding of the seriousness of the situation. However, it is unfortunate that the incident has cost the community a much-needed volunteer. Fire departments need every warm body they can find, and not every volunteer has to pick up an ax and a hose. There are many ways to support the work.

It would be encouraging to get greater detail, including the terms of the suspensions and any changes in policy because of the incident.

Shaler commissioners are scheduled to review the disciplinary actions Sept. 9. They should take a hard look at the response to evaluate whether it is sufficient — and they should discuss concerns openly to underscore the importance of public knowledge and institutional transparency.

What should not happen is a change in the way people trust their volunteer firefighters. The trust is earned — collectively — by the selflessness of their service.