Do Firefighters Have the Same Privileges as Police Officers in Terms of Taking Their Vehicles Home at Night?

The question of whether firefighters can take their departmental vehicles home often comes up, especially when comparing their situation to that of police officers. While both groups enjoy certain privileges, there are nuanced differences in practices and policies. Let's delve into the specifics.

Firefighters and Personal Vehicles

Firefighters, like most people, can take their personal vehicles home. However, the situation gets more complex when it comes to departmental vehicles like fire engines. The rules around this vary widely by department, but in general, fire engines, fire trucks, and other high-value equipment are not intended for personal use. Instead, firefighters use departmental vehicles for their official duties.

Departmental Vehicle Use for Non-Shift Workers

For fire departments with 24/48-hour shift systems, the story is a bit different. Firefighters on these shifts are often not issued official departmental vehicles. Instead, they rely on personal vehicles to get home when their shift ends. However, this is not the case for all firefighters.

Firefighters Not on Shift Work

Any firefighter who does not work on 24-hour shifts and is in a position where they can be recalled at any time (24/7) may be issued a departmental vehicle. This applies to various job roles, including arson investigators and certain technicians like fleet mechanics or supply techs. These individuals may be called in at a moment's notice, so having a reliable vehicle at home is essential.

Official Agency Vehicles and Recall

Fire chiefs and deputy chiefs often have access to agency vehicles even when they are off duty. In my experience as a fire chief, I had a department-issued vehicle. During off-duty hours, including nights and weekends, if I was recalled, I would respond in that vehicle. Similarly, deputy chiefs and administrators who work standard 8-5 or 4-10 hours but are subject to recall for major incidents may also be issued a departmental vehicle.

Out of Town Usage

When traveling out of town for official business, firefighters typically use their personal vehicles unless the departmental policy allows for the use of the agency vehicle. This policy can vary from department to department, so it's important to check each agency's specific guidelines.

Comparison with Police Officers

Police officers, on the other hand, may have more consistent access to official departmental vehicles, even when on leave. However, this varies by department and can be influenced by factors such as budget constraints and department policies.

Conclusion

While both firefighters and police officers can take their personal vehicles home, the rules around departmental vehicles differ. Firefighters generally use personal vehicles when not on official duty, while certain ranks and roles may be issued departmental vehicles for personal use. Comparing these roles is complex due to the variability in local policies and departmental procedures.