DRUG POLICY EXEMPTS POLICE, FIREFIGHTERS

Moline city employees who drive snow plows, garbage trucks, pothole
patchers and other trucks are subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
Those who drive fire trucks and police vehicles are not.

A 1995 federal law that requires holders of commercial drivers' licenses,
or CDLs, to undergo testing exempted sworn fire and police department
personnel.

J.D. Schulte, the city's loss control manager, said 82 of the city's 401
employees occasionally have to give urine samples or undergo blood-alcohol
tests.

If they test positive for marijuana or alcohol use, they are referred to an
employee-assistance program and subject to a 30-day suspension on a first
offense and dismissal after a second offense.

Use of harder drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamines, can result in
immediate dismissal, according to the city's drug-testing policy.

Although police officers and firefighters are not subject to random
testing, they can be tested if supervisors have probable cause to suspect
that an officer or firefighter is using drugs or alcohol.

A positive test in that case results in referral to an employee-assistance
program. Neither group's contract with the city outlines further discipline
for testing positive.

However, refusing to submit to the test can result in discipline, police
and fire chief Steve Etheridge said.

Mr. Schulte believes the random testing makes Moline a safer place to work
and drive.

"We have a responsibility to provide a drug-free work place," he said.
"Employees are expected to report here, and be in the physical condition
and ability to do the work. It's our intent to provide a safe work place
for all employees and the public."

A fatal fire last month to which a firefighter allegedly drove an engine
drunk has Mr. Schulte wondering if firefighters also should be randomly tested.

"Until recently, it hadn't been a concern," he said. "I'm not going to kid
you any and tell you I haven't thought about it a lot over the past few
weeks. This would be a great topic to bring up at their safety committee
meetings."

Chief Etheridge said random drug and alcohol testing is something that
"very well could be" discussed in negotiations for the next fire contract.

"Random testing has been discussed by many organizations," he said. "It
would have to be negotiated with the union. I think it's something they'd
be willing to discuss."

Representatives from International Association of Fire Fighters Local 581
could not be reached for comment.

Ald. Mike Crotty, 6th Ward, said he brought up the lack of random testing
for firefighters in an executive session after the fatal fire.

Ald. Crotty owns KVF-Quad Corp., a metal-finishing company, and requires
all his workers to undergo random drug and alcohol testing once a year. "I
feel it helps have a safer work environment," he said. "I would like to see
it on the table when the (firefighter) negotiations come up again."

Ald. Dick Potter, a truck driver subjected to random testing, isn't sure
it's necessary, but would like all Moline employees treated equally in
regard to testing.

"I feel real uncomfortable with the shotgun approach where everyone is
under a cloud of suspicion," he said. "But I think it should be an issue of
a more level playing field."