Hillsborough County firefighters just agreed to a new three-year contract, and part of that deal also calls for new random drug testing.
For years, Hillsborough firefighters knew when it was coming.
Every six months, there was a round of hundreds of drug tests that a small handful would likely prepare for by laying off drugs or alcohol long enough to pass the test. Now, they won’t know if or when they could be asked to provide a sample.
“Firefighters want to be sure that they’re doing everything that they can on their end of it to make sure that they’re getting the best service for the citizens,” said union spokesman Travis Horn.
Instead of everyone, five employees will be randomly selected every two weeks and tested for drugs.
Union members at first opposed the idea, insisting top brass be subjected to the same random testing. Eventually, the chiefs agreed.