Tacoma Fire Department leaders have revised their hiring practices in the wake of a News Tribune story about a firefighter who died of a drug overdose in July 2016 after showing up for work impaired. Deeper scrutiny of criminal background check information and broader questions about illegal drug use are the key changes the next round of job applicants will face in April, when the department will begin filling 16 positions — 12 new positions authorized in the city’s latest budget and four existing slots to account for retirements. Tacoma Fire Chief Jim Duggan Tacoma Fire Chief Jim Duggan Tacoma Fire Department Courtesy Chief Jim Duggan explained the rationale for the updated hiring policies in a statement to The News Tribune.