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Valley Springs Fire Has Policy Against Impaired Firefighting

Associated Press0

VALLEY SPRINGS, S.D. (AP) — Valley Springs Fire and Rescue Chief Don Johnson says a firefighter who died fighting a house fire in Brandon when he was legally drunk responded to the emergency even though the department has a policy against doing so while intoxicated.

Johnson on Tuesday said volunteer firefighter Steve Ackerman didn’t drive to the scene of the April fire, which also killed homeowner David Smith. A recent autopsy showed Ackerman had a blood alcohol level of nearly 0.19.

State Fire Marshal Paul Merriman has said there’s no uniform policy governing alcohol use in departments across the state.

South Dakota Firefighters Association President Charlie Kludt says Ackerman’s case will likely prompt departments to better police potential intoxicated firefighting.

Johnson says Ackerman warned two of his comrades to get out of the burning house.

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