Defence lawyer Roger Philips said although a community-based sentence would be the normal outcome for such a case, his client would struggle to serve one because of firefighting callouts.
It had been some time, albeit not a great period, since his first drink-driving conviction and a fine was the preferred sentence outcome, the lawyer said.
Judge Courtney asked Keenan, who stood quietly in the dock, what his shift arrangements were, to which the defendant replied that they were consistent but he would have issues with emergency callouts which he had to be available for.
"What would have happened if on January 19 there was an emergency call out?" Judge Courtney asked.
"If you've got a breath alcohol reading of 827mcgs I hope you're not going to fight fires. There's no reason to get that drunk if you're not going to make yourself available for community work."
The Judge said it was concerning Keenan now had two drink-driving convictions and warned him that a third could see him "losing his liberty".
He suggested Keenan seek assistance for his alcohol-related issues if he wanted to keep his job as a firefighter.
Fire and Emergency assistant area commander Nigel Hall said the matter was being treated very seriously and a dismissal, as well as a reduction in rank, was on the table.
"We are very disappointed that he's broken the law and we would expect that he will now be subject to internal discipline."
Keenan was a station officer in Hastings, second in command under a primary station officer during watches, and would continue working in this position until a line of inquiry into the matter was completed, Mr Hall said.
The maximum penalty for driving with breath alcohol exceeding 400mcgs is three months' imprisonment or a $4500 fine.
In such cases the court must order the person to be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver licence for at least six months.
Hawke's Bay Today was unable to contact Keenan for comment.
