Beer crackdown forces new firehall exodus in N.L. town

Last Updated: Thursday, January 11, 2007 | 12:54 PM NT

CBC News

Volunteer firefighters in a small Newfoundland town have again resigned, in a dispute that boils down to their desire to knock back a few cold ones together.

The firefighters resigned their duty at the Point Leamington hall last year when the town council banned consumption of beer on premises.

Volunteers have again resigned en masse from the Point Leamington fire hall.
(CBC)

Last year's dispute was resolved when the council — concerned about its insurance on the hall — approved limited beer consumption.

The firefighters have resigned en masse again, because the rules attached to their permit are too restrictive.

"What's wrong with the firemen going in there on a Monday night, if we go in on a cleanup … and having a beer or two and going home?" asked former firefighter Fraser Stuckless.

"Every other fire department, or 90 per cent of the fire departments in this province, or in this country, [do] that, even without a licence."

The firefighters and some supporters protested this week in front of the town hall, on three separate days. The firefighters have a long and at times complicated list of grievances, but the ability to relax and drink beer remains at the heart of the matter.

Mayor Bob Elliott said he finds the dispute frustrating.

"I didn't want it to come to this and I tried every which way in the world to work with these people," Elliott said.

"They say communication was the problem and that's not so — any time they requested a meeting, they certainly could come in to the town council and sit down and talk."

Elliott said he is trying to arrange training for new volunteers.

In the meantime, he said, two neighbouring towns have agreed to respond if a fire is reported in Point Leamington.