ROOKIE firefighters could be subjected to drug and alcohol testing before they are allowed to join a North-East brigade.

The new tests would also be used after accidents at work and if an individual was suspected of drinking or taking drugs on duty.

Cleveland Fire Authority is expected to approve the introduction of tests at a meeting on Friday.

The Fire Brigade Union has agreed to the tests in principle, after the proposal was amended to rule out the possibility of random testing, but the union is opposed to a section of the proposal which would allow those who pass an alcohol test to be retested 20 minutes later to ensure the levels of alcohol in their blood had not risen.

Union spokesman Kevin Gelder said: "The authority is talking about creating a welfare facility for those using drugs or alcohol, not catching people out - so why do they need to do two tests?"

Although the fire authority initially agreed to remove the need for a second test, it reinstated the retesting following advice from a doctor.

An investigation will begin if anyone fails one of the new tests, but in his report, Cleveland's chief fire officer John Doyle said, if possible, the abuse of alcohol and drugs would be treated as an illness with referrals to the occupational health nurse and the possibility of time off work.

Mr Doyle said: "Cleveland Fire Brigade has accepted its duty of care to provide a safe and healthy working environment for all of its personnel, and will take all appropriate measures to ensure that employees do not misuse prohibited substances or are exposed to the consequences of misuse by others."

As well as giving leaflets about the new testing to all employees, there will be posters, courses and educational packages available to those who want to know more.

Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade also has a drugs and alcohol testing policy, as well as a welfare programme for employees who misuse illegal substances.

However, a spokesman for the brigade said the policy had never had to be implemented. He stressed that any employee involved in a driving accident was subject to the same laws and testing as any other driver