HomeMy WebLinkAboutR&R 102.02 REVISED 5-2009-On-Duty Code of Conduct102.02 - On -Duty Code of Conduct
Effective: 5/5/2009
Revised:
Replaces: 2007 R&R Section VIII
I. Guiding PhilosophX
We take our responsibility to those we serve very seriously. This attitude is evident in the
way we approach our work, through our actions and behavior, and in how we treat each other
and our customers while on the job. We strive to model our organizational values of
commitment, integrity, accountability, compassion, and pride at all times while on -duty.
II. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to insure the well-being of the community and the integrity
of the Department's operations through the establishment of appropriate behavioral norms and
boundaries for personnel to uphold while on -duty.
III. Goals
The goals of this policy are to communicate behavioral standards relative to:
A. Working Hours
B. Reporting for Work
C. Assignments and Relief
D. Performance of Job Responsibilities
E. Interpersonal Relationships
F. Rest and Recuperation
G. Leisure Activities
IV. Definitions
A. Absence Without Approved Leave — either a failure to report for duty at the time
and place of assignment or leaving the place of duty or assignment without proper
authorization.
B. Insubordination — includes, but is not limited to
1. Telling a lie or withholding the truth.
2. Willfully disobeying the lawful order of an Officer or supervisor.
3. Striking or assaulting an Officer or supervisor.
4. Treating with contempt or being disrespectful in language or deportment
toward an Officer or supervisor.
V. On -Duty Code of Conduct
A. Working Hours
1. Hours of duty for all members will be regulated by the Fire Chief, who has the
authority to call back to duty any member regardless of the hours assigned to
that member.
B. Reporting for Work
Members will:
1. Be at their assigned duty station and prepared to begin work at the appropriate
time.
a. If unable to report, notify the on -duty Deputy/Division Chief prior to
the expected time to report.
b. A member absent without approved leave more than two consecutive
working days (Operations Division -one shift) will be deemed to have
abandoned his/her job and will be removed from the payroll.
2. Report for work in a fit condition to perform the duties of his/her job
description.
a. To insure their personal safety and that of his/her work group,
members should plan for adequate rest and recuperation during their
off-duty hours so that they report for duty energized and ready to
respond.
b. Prescribed or over-the-counter medications that do not interfere with
the performance of the member's duties are allowed while on -duty.
C. Assignments & Relief
Members will:
1. Remain at their assigned duty station until appropriately relieved or released
from duty.
2. Work beyond their regular hours of duty when so directed or when so required
to directly or indirectly provide service to the citizens.
3. Be relieved at the scene only with the permission and acknowledgement of the
Incident Commander.
D. Performance of Job Responsibilities
Members will:
1. Maintain the work environment as one of professional readiness.
a. Members are expected to manage their time efficiently, directing
their daily activities so that the Department's mission is most
effectively achieved.
b. During working hours, members will remain focused on Department
business and Department -related response, maintenance, and
preparedness activities.
c. Members will make personal phone calls on their personal cell
phones sparingly, devoting their on -duty time and focus to work-
related matters.
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d. Members will work, facilitate, or coordinate part-time jobs only
when OFF -duty, and use only theirerp sonal addresses or equipment
for part-time business activities.
2. Be focused on his/her responsibilities to the citizens of Beaumont, the
Department, and fellow members at all times.
3. Exercise precautionary measures and good judgment at all times to avoid
injury to themselves and/or others, and to avoid unnecessary damage or loss
of Department apparatus and equipment.
4. Promptly answer all emergency alarms when dispatched, and exert his/her
greatest effort to perform to the best of his/her ability under all circumstances.
5. Drive safely and practice defensive driving techniques to minimize accidents.
6. Be thoroughly familiar with the apparatus, and district to which he/she is
assigned, and with all procedures and equipment which he/she may be
required to use or operate in order to perform his/her assigned duties.
7. Be alert for signs of arson and where found, secure or preserve such evidence
or conditions.
a. Notify the Incident Commander immediately.
b. Incident Commanders shall call for an Investigator to respond in all
such cases.
8. Properly document significant unit activities and events.
a. Members will submit truthful and accurate statements and records,
and will not make statements or entries with the intent to mislead or
deceive.
b. Members will not willfully mutilate or discard any Department
record, book or document without authorization of the Fire Chief and
in keeping with established records retention practices.
9. Participate in all Department training activities as directed, taking personal
responsibility for his/her job competency and skills development.
10. Practice economy in the use of supplies and metered utilities. The hoarding of
supplies and equipment is prohibited.
11. Accept responsibility for the performance of the duties of a higher rank when
so assigned.
12. Not purchase or contract, order repairs or approve work to be done to any
Department equipment, vehicle, or structure unless authorized by the Fire
Chief through established processes and chain of command.
13. Not sign or circulate any petition, poll, letter, or other document that relates to
Department personnel, policies, or business without getting the prior written
approval of the Fire Chief.
14. Not park, store or maintain personal vehicles inside fire stations.
a. Exceptions can be made for motorcycles at the discretion of the
station Captain if it does not interfere with normal station activities.
b. Private vehicles, trailers, and other equipment will not be parked or
stored on department property for longer than one shift without
permission of the Fire Chief.
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c. A member may do minor emergency repairs on his/her vehicles
while on -duty, after 1700 hours (or earlier with his/her supervisor's
permission).
1) Minor repairs are defined as only those small repairs necessary
to move the vehicle, such as changing a flat tire.
d. Members may not wash or clean their private vehicle at Department
facilities.
E. Inter -Personal Relationships
Members will:
1. Be professional at all times.
2. Exhibit courtesy and respect to all persons.
3. Give their full name and rank to any person on request.
4. Put forth every effort to be compatible with other members of the Department
and at no time resort to physical violence.
5. Refrain from any act of insubordination.
6. Observe accepted standards of personal hygiene.
7. Be particularly sensitive to the cultural differences among people, particularly
racial, ethnic, or gender differences. The following are prohibited:
a. Loud, indecent, profane, abusive, racist, sexist, or provocative
language.
b. Racial, sexist, or ethnic "names" or slurs.
c. Veiled forms of insults and harassment under the guise of "agitation"
or pranks.
8. Not engage in nor solicit any type of sexual conduct.
9. Not enter the personal lockers of other members without permission of the
individual whose locker is being opened, unless so directed by an Officer who
will be in attendance when the locker is opened.
10. Comply with the lawful orders of ranking Officers and acting Officers. Should
a conflicting order be given, the member will:
a. Notify the Officer issuing the conflicting order.
b. Follow his/her instructions.
c. As soon as practical, notify the Officer who issued the original order
of the situation.
11. Be granted permission to converse with the next Officer in their chain of
command, other than their immediate supervising Officer, when such request
is made through the chain of command.
12. Immediately report to their supervisor any information or occurrences that
might lead to complaints, investigations, lawsuits, grievances, disciplinary
actions, or commendations. Examples of these occurrences may include, but
are not limited to:
a. Lost/damaged equipment
b. Damage to apparatus
c. Burglaries at Department facilities
d. On -duty accidents/injuries
e. Personnel problems
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f. Confrontations/problems with the news media
g. Citizen complaints, problems, or requests
h. Requests for information from attorneys, insurance companies, etc.
i. Exceptional customer service
13. Greet all visitors courteously and assist them when required.
a. The on -duty Captain will be immediately notified of all visitors,
regardless of the purpose of the visit.
b. The on -duty Captain will be responsible for and coordinate all
facility tours, facilities maintenance, or walk-up requests for
emergency or non -emergency services.
c. Visitors will not be allowed to stay at stations later than 2100 hours
without the approval of the on -duty Deputy/Division Chief.
d. Off-duty members may not remain at the fire station or sleep in the
station without the approval of the on -duty Deputy/Division Chief.
14. Maintain cleanliness and neatness in the workplace so as to achieve accepted
safety practices and positive public perception.
a. Members, equipment, and facilities will routinely be judged on
operational capability, safety and appearance. All members are
responsible for these results.
15. Orders and dispatches from the Communications Division will routinely be
obeyed.
a. A dispatcher's order can only be over-ridden by an Officer on scene
who has visual or confirmed knowledge that conflicts with a
dispatch communication.
b. Members are expected to correct obvious errors made by the
dispatcher.
F. Rest & Recuperation
Members will:
1. At no time allow sleeping to take priority over the necessary work of the
Department.
2. Observe the following rules in regards to sleeping on weekdays, if all job
responsibilities have been effectively addressed:
a. Prepare beds for sleeping between 1900 and 2100 hours.
b. Sleeping is permitted between the hours between 2100 and 0700
hours.
3. Observe the following rules in regards to sleeping on weekends & holidays,
if all job responsibilities have been effectively addressed:
a. Prepare beds for sleeping between 1100 and 1200 hours OR between
1900 and 2100 hours.
b. Sleeping is permitted between 1200 and 1600 hours and 2100 and
0700 hours.
4. Restore beds to their unused status by 0715 hours each day.
5. Use bedding, including sheets and pillowcases, while occupying a bed.
a. Bedding must be clean and in serviceable condition.
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6. With the approval of the Station Captain, be allowed to occupy a bed during
other periods for the following reasons:
a. When the member has worked or been called out by the Department
the previous night.
b. When it is known that the member will be performing duties the
following night (such as fire watch).
c. When member feels poorly but opts to stay at work.
7. Not sleep or assume a sleeping position other than in a bed.
G. Leisure Activities
Members will be permitted to participate in leisure activities on -duty subject to
the following:
1. The chosen activities are not detrimental to his/her job responsibilities,
obligations, and duties.
2. Members may recreate a ter 1700 hours each shift, provided the leisure
activities do not conflict with work assignments or other departmental
activities. Exceptions:
a. Station Officers may allow television viewing of a particular special
event, news, weather or job-related programming prior to this time.
b. Station Officers may allow use of member's personal computer for
job-related research or training before this time.
i. Member's personal computers will not be used for
inappropriate or illegal activities at any time.
c. Station Officers will be held jointly accountable for any misuse of the
leisure time of those he/she directly supervises.
3. No gambling of any kind.
4. No soliciting or receiving any monetary contribution from any other members
while on duty, without the purpose of such solicitation or contribution being
first approved by the Fire Chief. Exceptions:
a. Eating or coffee funds
b. Retirement collections
c. Wedding or shower gifts
d. Sales of inexpensive items such as candy or cookies whose benefits go
to assist children or young people's activities.
5. No keeping or storing any firearms at department facilities, nor loading
ammunition and/or storing the materials necessary for such activities at
department facilities.
a. Exceptions may be made by the Fire Chief for Investigators or other
qualified personnel.
6. Adhere to the following regarding the use of tobacco products:
a. Reasonable care will be taken with all tobacco use in order to avoid
offending others with such practice.
b. Smoking while on -duty or on City property may only be done in
compliance with current City policies and ordinances.
c. Smoking or use of smokeless tobacco products in City vehicles is
prohibited.
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d. Members using smokeless tobacco products will be responsible for
properly disposing the products of such activities.
i. Members will not spit in water fountains, sinks, toilets, urinals,
waste baskets, or on floors or driveways, etc.
ii. Members will take care to keep spittoons, jars, cans, or other
receptacles out of the conspicuous view of others and will
dispose of such articles immediately after using them.
e. Tobacco use is prohibited while working in plain view of the public.
Reasonable exceptions may be made by the Incident Commander
when the emergency is under control.
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