FLINT HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT GENERAL POLICY

202.01 GENERAL CONDUCT PAGE 2

/ FLINT HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL POLICY

Policy Number: 202.01

Policy Title: General Conduct

Adopted: 12/3/2012

Rescinds: 07/05/2011

Approved By: (Chief)

I.  PURPOSE:

This policy defines the conduct rules applicable to all personnel of the Flint Hill Fire Department (FHFD).

II.  DISCUSSION:

All personnel associated with Flint Hill Fire Department are expected to act in a professional manner and in accordance with the FHFD Operations Manual. Personnel are subject to the general rules in this policy and the specific rules in all of the conduct polices defined in the 200 series of the FHFD Operations Manual. Recognizing an itemized list of offenses cannot possibly account for all situations, the appropriate investigating entity will use the itemized lists in this policy as examples of how to classify offenses that are not itemized but are clearly unacceptable behavior.

Rules infractions by volunteer personnel are investigated and dispositioned according to SOP 800.03 SUSPENSION BOARD.

Rules infractions by paid personnel are investigated and dispositioned according to SOP 903.01 DISIPLINARY PROCESS.

III.  POLICY:

LEVEL A OFFENSES

1)  Stealing of property

2)  Intentional destruction, tampering or damage to personal or fire department equipment that is significant in nature.

3)  Fighting (e.g. Physical aggression, such as striking a blow, which results in assault. A shove does not automatically constitute fighting. Retaliation is considered fighting also.)

4)  Misuse of fire department funds

5)  Felony offense convictions.

6)  Insubordination (e.g. Failure to follow orders from an officer or senior firefighter filling the role of an officer, during any fire department function which jeopardizes life safety and/or protection of property.)

7)  Significant cases of officer misconduct (e.g. Actions unbecoming of an officer which jeopardizes life safety, equipment, and/or protection of property.

8)  Offenses of a serious nature which have the potential to cause significant harm or death to a person, damage or destruction to property, or significant damage to the reputation of the FHFD.

LEVEL B OFFENSES

1)  Less significant cases of officer misconduct (e.g. Unnecessary verbal abuse, failure to enforce rules and regulations).

2)  Creating dissention within the department (e.g. Creating ill will, causing a split detrimental to the overall good of the fire department, or degrading other members of the fire department without following the proper methods for addressing a grievance.)

3)  Reckless driving (e.g. Driving in a reckless or unsafe manner, that does not show due regard for the public. This applies to personal or fire department vehicles while responding to or from any fire department function.)

4)  Threats or intimidation.

5)  Misuse of fire department property (e.g. Inappropriate use of fire department property.

6)  Misdemeanor offense convictions.

7)  Significant cases of acting without proper authority (e.g. Ordering, purchasing or modifying equipment or vehicles without obtaining proper approval from a chief officer.)

8)  Offenses which have the potential to negatively impact the daily operations of the department, cause harm to a person, damage to property, or damage to the reputation of the FHFD.

LEVEL C OFFENSES

1)  Unacceptably unruly behavior (e.g. Unacceptable behavior that causes damage, injury, or excessive disruption.)

2)  Violation of curfew or overnight rules

3)  Operating fire department equipment without proper training or certification, unless authorized by an officer or senior firefighter filling the role of an officer.

4)  Encouraging or coercing other personnel to violate fire department rules.

5)  Less significant cases of acting without proper authority (e.g. Using other fire department equipment without proper approval.)

6)  Disrespect of fire department property, creating or contributing to unsanitary conditions. (i.e. Improper care or use of fire department equipment.)

7)  Offenses of a less serious nature but still representative of unacceptable behavior.