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CLEVELAND (WJW) — The FOX 8 I-Team has uncovered pictures of Cleveland firefighters suspected of drinking while in uniform.
An internal investigation found some broke the rules, but no one was punished. So, we investigated.
The pictures came to light as part of a city internal investigation going back to St. Patrick’s Day.
St. Patrick’s Day is known as one of the biggest days of the year to party and drink.
The internal investigation reviewed pictures of several Cleveland firefighters suspected of drinking in uniform.
They were seen holding cans clearly labeled as beer, or holding other drinks believed to be alcoholic beverages.
Records show the photos were taken after the St. Patrick’s Day parade and later forwarded to the chief.
The union president stressed to the I-Team that the firefighters were off-duty, not handling calls and simply celebrating a big day for many firefighters.
“The members were investigated. They were found to be off-duty and were not in any violation of policies,” Jake Konys, the president of Local 93, said.
Still, we asked, “Having said that, in 2025, does somebody need to be told not to drink in uniform?”
Konys said, “Everybody is aware in the public eye to carry themselves accordingly, to act appropriately, be respectful.”
We showed the pictures to east side city government watchdog Katherine McDonald.
“It’s a judgment issue,” she said. “It is common sense for somebody to be off-duty and going into places that they know they’re going to get in trouble for.”
We took a closer look at the internal investigation. It showed five of the firefighters committed rules violations — but we saw no discipline. At City Hall, we found the fire department executive officer made that call.
Instead of taking action against anyone, safety officials ordered the fire department to come up with a better policy outlining what firefighters can and can’t do in uniform.
The safety director “… instructed … Fire to update their policy, strictly and specifically prohibiting the off-duty consumption of alcohol while in uniform.”
The investigation revealed most of the firefighters who were questioned denied drinking, or they said they did not recall.
However, one confirmed he was “holding an alcoholic seltzer he was drinking.”
This comes as the fire department is already in the spotlight. The chief last week was placed on paid leave pending an investigation into a social media post after the murder of Charlie Kirk. Another firefighter has been under investigation for the same thing.
For this story, no one at City Hall spoke on camera.
The union said firefighters will follow any new policy.
The city said policy changes must be worked out with the union contract.
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Ed Gallek
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