FIREFIGHTERS FACING MANDATORY DRUG TESTS IN 2010

The new year could bring mandatory drug testing for all of
Pittsburgh's approximately 630 firefighters, city Public Safety
Director Michael Huss said yesterday.

He discussed the policy following the arrest and suspension of a
firefighter who was accused of stealing a security vehicle from the
Rivers Casino and leading police on a chase.

When police apprehended the firefighter, William White, in the 2600
block of Brighton Road, he reeked of alcohol and spat in the face of
an officer, according to a criminal complaint. A test later showed
that Mr. White's blood-alcohol level was nearly three times the legal
limit.

It was at least the third time this year a city firefighter has faced
criminal charges related to drugs or alcohol.

"There are a lot of good firefighters out there who are disappointed
that these incidents keep occurring," Mr. Huss said yesterday.

He said he is pleased the fire union in October agreed to a new
contract starting in 2010 that will allow drug and alcohol testing. A
labor-management committee is still negotiating over details, but Mr.
Huss hopes all firefighters will be tested at least once and then
tests will be given at random.

"We're anxious to get this started early in the new year," he
said.

Joe King, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters
Local 1, could not be reached for comment.

Mr. White, a 17-year veteran of the fire bureau, has a history of
alcohol abuse, Mr. Huss said. About two years ago, he showed up at
work intoxicated and was disciplined, although a trial board did not
remove him from his job.

About 2 a.m yesterday, Ken Dodson, a security officer at the casino,
confronted Mr. White when he found the man urinating next to a car on
the fourth floor of the casino's parking garage, according to the
criminal complaint. Mr. White said he was a city firefighter and asked
the security officer to help him get home.

Mr. Dodson, driving his Ford Ranger security vehicle, took Mr. White
to the casino's front entrance to find a cab. When Mr. White left the
vehicle, he started to argue with a woman, the complaint said. Mr.
Dodson tried to break up the confrontation, and Mr. White got into the
Ranger and drove off, almost hitting the woman, the complaint said.

A short time later, Mr. White nearly hit a police car as he drove in
the wrong lane on Brighton Road. The police car pursued Mr. White, who
turned onto Highwood Street, stopped the car, and ran. He tried to
climb a fence, but an officer caught him.

"I'm a Pittsburgh fireman. Please let me go," he told the officers,
according to the complaint.

The officers smelled a strong odor of alcohol on Mr. White's breath.
His eyes were glassy and his speech was slurred. As the officers took
him to their car, he spat in the face of Officer Donald Reola, the
complaint said.

Mr. White was charged with theft, receiving stolen property, driving
under the influence of alcohol, harassment and reckless driving.

He was released on a non-monetary bond and faces a preliminary hearing
Jan. 7.

Mr. White was also suspended from the fire bureau without pay
yesterday, Mr. Huss said.

Within 30 days, he will face another trial board hearing, which
consists of fellow firefighters who could reinstate Mr. White to his
job.

The city has faced difficulties in firing two firefighters charged
with drug-related crimes this year.

Firefighter John Connors lost his job after pleading guilty to drug
possession, but a trial board allowed him to rejoin the fire bureau
when it concluded the city improperly instructed him to take a drug
test.

In June, then-firefighter Vincent Manzella was accused of calling in
false alarms and then burglarizing fire stations while his colleagues
were out. Police said he was supporting a heroin habit. Mr. Manzella
eventually resigned, although the union fought to preserve his job.

The new contract, overwhelmingly approved by rank-and-file
firefighters, takes disputes over drug cases out of the trial board
system and puts them with neutral arbitrators. But alcohol-related
cases, including Mr. White's case, still will come before the trial
boards.