An autopsy has since shown a high alcohol level in Cahill's blood and traces of cocaine in Payne's.

All Boston firefighters are required to take pre-employment drug tests and are subject to random tests in their first year. After that, they are only tested if there is reasonable suspicion of drug or alcohol use.

Policies are tougher in other cities. In New York, six days a week, officials randomly select firehouses and, without notice, visit at least one of them to test all firefighters and officers on duty at that station. A positive test means termination.

Montgomery, Alabama firefighters are tested when hired, promoted or injured. They are also subject to random tests in which a computer picks their name and a car comes to pick them up; they never know when it's coming.

Chicago relies on its officials to draw 20 names a day for random tests. On average, all 5,000 department members are tested annually. Of those, about 1 percent test positive. Last year, five members were dismissed or resigned because of substance abuse.

Boston officials realize the need to expand testing, but have been stymied in their efforts because changes require approval through collective bargaining and being made part of the union contract. Firefighters are currently negotiating with the city, and it appears almost certain that expanded drug testing will be on the table.

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(Source: http://www.nytimes.com)