False Alarm Forces Volunteer Firefighter to Face DUI

The Argus Leader in South Dakota has reported that one of their unpaid volunteer firefighters drove a fire truck while under the influence of alcohol when responding to a false alarm.

Scott Johnson, 43, of Madison, was arrested and charged with first-offense DUI, when he reported for duty after his shift in a nearby bar.

There are approximately 7,500 volunteers in 350 departments in South Dakota - and all are mostly unregulated.  The state has no training requirement for its firefighting volunteers.

Tea Fire Chief Grant Van Riesen, the department Johnson volunteered for said, "These guys think they have to provide that service.  They just have a certain kind of blood in them that tells them they need to respond."

Johnson worked as security at Teezers Bar in downtown Madison; he also helps with the bartending on the weekends.  On Sunday, September 5, Johnson had just finished his shift at 2 a.m. when he received the emergency call.

His employer, Jeff Gates, stated that Johnson was sober while at work and, "He was absolutely fine. Scott would absolutely never put anyone's life in jeopardy by going out if he couldn't handle it."

A dozen other volunteers responded to the call at 2:30 a.m. with Johnson.  The false alarm was located at a manufacturing plant less than a mile from their fire station. 

Aaron Talich, a Patrol Officer in Madison, also responded to the alarm.  In fact, he followed Johnson as he had seen him at Teezers Bar earlier.  After the call was found to be a false alarm, Talich followed Johnson back to the fire station, gave him a Breathalyzer test, and then cited him for DUI.

Madison Police Chief Chuck Pulford refused comment.

Dan Brown, attorney for Johnson, pleaded not guilty to the charge of first-offense DUI for his client.  The prosecution did not release the results of the blood-alcohol test because of the not guilty plea.

Members of the Madison Volunteer Fire Department, and other residents, have sent supportive letters to the Madison Daily Leader.

The fire department also wrote a letter to the city stating that their firefighters will learn from this and apologizing for Johnson's "mistake in judgment" and, "... as volunteer firefighters, we make mistakes like everyone else. Being volunteer firemen, we are on call 24/7, but we still like to relax and do what we like to do in our free time."

In 2003, a 16 year-old cadet was killed when the fire truck he was in, steered by volunteer firefighter Ronald Callier, rolled over.  Callier, who admitted to drinking, pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and is now in prison.

Scott Johnson has been suspended until his case is settled; his department will decide what disciplinary actions to take after his verdict.

Johnson has not returned calls for his comment.

If you are facing a trial for a DUI, DWI, OUI or OWI, contact a DUI Attorney in our directory to help you combat your charges.