AUSTIN -- Firefighter Matt Harvey was suspended from the Austin Fire Department after he was charged with driving while intoxicated in November 2017, the AFD said Thursday.
The AFD said Harvey was stopped for speeding, failed sobriety tests, and was arrested by the Austin Police Department for the charge, which is a Class B misdemeanor. Harvey refused to provide a blood sample and a search warrant was obtained, the department reported.
According to the AFD, Harvey will be suspended for 60 days starting on April 16 and ending on June 14.
In addition to the suspension, the AFD said Harvey has agreed to the following terms:
1. He will be evaluated by professionals to determine if he has an alcohol-related problem. If that professional recommends a program of counseling or rehabilitation, he must attend and successfully complete the program.
2. He will subject to random alcohol testing as ordered by the fire chief or their designee for a period of one year beginning on the day he returns to duty after serving his suspension.
3. He will agree to a probationary period of one year that will begin on the date of his return.
4. He is hereby put on notice that if he sustains a violation involving the use of alcohol outside the one-year probationary period, he will be indefinitely suspended but retains the right to appeal.
5. He many not perform or provide any firefighting or EMT-related services for any fire department or medical provider without the approval of the fire chief.
