SOLICITATIONS AT FIRE STATIONSIt is the policy of fire administration to discourage vendors and sales persons from entering fire stations for the purpose of selling their products. This does not include Girl Scouts cookies or other similar charitable activities.

Station officers are to use good judgment when receiving requests to make presentations. At no time should sales people compromise station and personnel readiness.

If a person requests permission to talk to station personnel, he/she should be directed to the highest-ranking personnel.

GENERAL RULES

1. Do not use loud, indecent, profane, abusive, or provocative language while in the performance of duty and/or in the presence of the public. Ethnic slurs or jokes will not be tolerated. If any language is offensive to any other member, the language should be discontinued.
2.  No gambling activities while on duty.
3. Accept neither directly nor indirectly any gift, gratuity, loan, or fee for services incidental to the performance of duty.
4. Exhibit courtesy and respect to the public at all times. All Visitors to fire stations should be promptly and courteously greeted and assisted as appropriate.
5. Respond to the lawful orders of ranking officers and acting officers. Failure or deliberate refusal of any member to obey a lawful order given by a superior or acting supervisor should be considered insubordination.
6. Exhibit courtesy and respect to all officers and acting officers. While on duty, all officers shall be referred to by their appropriate rank.
7. Knowingly being untruthful with a superior officer or acting officer should constitute dishonesty and will be considered insubordination.
8. Supervisors and acting supervisors refrain from exceeding their authority in giving orders. The wrongful or injurious exercise of authority by any member is prohibited. A member acting in obedience to an improper order should be protected against penalty. Should a member received an order that conflicts with a previous order, the member should notify the officer who issued the conflicting order and be governed by his/her instructions.
9. Answer all requests for assistance to which dispatched. Perform to maximum ability.
10. Exercise precautionary measures and good judgment to avoid injury to self and others while on duty and at all times exercise caution consistent with the performance of duty to avoid unnecessary damage or loss of department equipment. At all times on duty follow any order or memorandum pertaining to safety.
11. Participate in drills and other activities as directed and be thoroughly familiar with the equipment of the department and of the city streets and hydrants.
12. Entering the clothing or personal lockers of other members without permission of the individual whose locker is being opened is forbidden unless so directed by a ranking officer who should be in attendance when the locker is opened.
13. Accept responsibilities for the performance of the duties of a higher rank when assigned to sit in such positions.
14. Adhere to the chain of command in the transaction of department business unless otherwise directed.
15. Permission should be granted to converse with a supervisor, other than their immediate supervisor, when such request is made through the chain of command. In the event a member’s request is turned down, the member is authorized to go directly to the supervisor with whom the audience was requested.
16. Promptly notify the immediate supervisor of all matters coming to attention that might affect the interest or welfare of the department or city.
17. Promptly notify immediate supervisor of any accident, sickness, or personal injury occurring while on duty.
18. Do not fraudulently report on-duty injuries when the injury occurred off-duty or is nonexistent.
19. Do not abuse the use of sick time.
20. Absence without leave is forbidden. (Absence without leave should be defined as either a failure to report to duty at the time and place or duty or the leaving of a place of duty or assignment without proper authorization).
21. Maintain beds, lockers, equipment, and work facilities in a neat and clean condition
22. Private business should not be conducted either at or away from fire department facilities while on duty.
23. Private business should not be conducted either at or away form fire department facilities while on duty.
24. Do not use any form of tobacco while making personal contact with the public in the performance of duty. Tobacco will not be used on any apparatus.
25. Put forth every effort to be compatible with other members of the department, the public, and other city employees. Do not resort to physical violence with other members while on duty.
26. Members driving fire apparatus should use safe driving practices.
27. Show respect to the flag of our country and National Anthem under the appropriate circumstances by coming to attention, facing the flag and giving the civilian salute, removing the cap with the right hand and placing same over the left breast, or if not wearing a cap, placing right hand over the left breast.

TELEPHONES

The telephones at all fire stations are business telephones and therefore should be answered in a businesslike manner. Use the following method for answering the phone:

Red Oak Fire Rescue, (Your Rank), (Your Name)

Please do not answer “Fire Station”. Also, please note the tone of your voice when answering the phones. A great deal of public relations work can be accomplished by having a polite telephone manner.

If anyone should call for anyone else (fireman, officer, chief, etc.) and if they are not in, tell the individual that they are not in and ask if you can take a message. If you can take a message, be sure you do so as there have been several important phone calls missed because personnel failed to take a message.

TOBACCO USAGE

Tobacco usage of any kind is limited to the areas outlined. All personnel are urged to cooperate with these guidelines and show courtesy to each other concerning tobacco usage. Under no circumstances will there be smoking allowed in bed. Tobacco usage in any form will not be used on apparatus.

Safety receptacles are required for all areas frequently used as “smoking areas”. Discarded smoking leftovers (cigarette butts, used matches, empty cigarette packs, etc.) shall not be allowed to gather on the ground or apparatus floor.

There should not be any spit cups left unattended or somewhere visible to the public. There should be no tobacco usage while dealing with the public in any form.

24 HOUR AND 8 HOUR WORK SCHEDULES

Transfers between the standard 24 hour and 8 hour work schedules will on occasion be made to accommodate training, work projects, light duty assignments, promotion, etc.

Because of the complexities involved with making changes from 3 rotating 24 hour shifts and the standard 40 hour work week, each case will be reviewed on an individual basis. It should be understood that 3 people attending the same class from 3 separate shifts might require different accommodations in their work schedule.

1.A standard 40 hour workweek does not automatically mean from 0800 to 1700. The selection of which schedule is appropriate for each individual will be the responsibility of the chief officer authorizing the work schedule change. Selections will be made on the basis of balancing the need for the lowest possible overtime or comp time requirement vs. logical working schedules.

PERSONNEL TRANSFER PROCEDURES

Transfers and requests for transfers should bear no detrimental reflection on the requesting employee, employee’s supervisor, or the position; nor should it be assumed that the employee’s request for transfer indicates dissatisfaction.

1. 1.The following criteria may be considered when filling vacancies:

   1. All current requests for transfers on file in the chief’s office. (Transfer requests will remain on file for six months.)

      1.  Whenever practical, the officer on the shift giving up a transferee will confirm with anyone having a current transfer request that they still wish a transfer.
      2. In those instances that there is no current transfer request and whenever it is practical to do so, the officer should poll the shift to determine if anyone desire a transfer to the other shift.
   2. The need for special qualifications to more effectively conduct the work of the department
   3. Possibility of improving the performance of the individual and increasing the overall effectiveness of the department.

   4. After giving full consideration to paragraph a. through d., and conditions being equal, the vacancy should be filled on the basis of seniority as follows:

      1. In rank
      2. Time in department
2. Special notices for selected positions may be published prior to filling such vacancies. Notices will include the location of the vacancy. This notice should be posted on the official business bulletin board until the expiration date of the notice. The purpose of a Special Notice may be to fill special qualified positions, or to solicit inquiries and applications regarding temporary assignments. Example: Hose, hydrants, vehicle maintenance, etc. 
3. Submitting Transfer RequestsMembers in writing may request a routine transfer of assignment.Transfer requests should be submitted to the member’s regular station supervisor, when possible. If the officer on duty is not the member’s regular station supervisor, the receiving officer should include observations pertinent to the purpose of the transfer request. The officer should note the date and time the request was received on the appropriate line. The officer will then sign the request and forward it through the chain of command to fire administration. The employee is encouraged to keep a copy in his/her records.
4. Trading AssignmentsTrading permanent assignments must be approved by the Fire Chief. When two members request to trade assignments, they must notify the Operations Chiefs of their request by forwarding a Request for Transfer through the appropriate channels and by indicating on the request that a trade is being requested. 

   Example: Hose, hydrant, vehicle maintenance, etc.

TEMPORARY DUTIES IN HIGHER CLASSIFICATION

PURPOSE

The absence of an officer(s) for an extended length of time effects the operations of the department. The following procedure will help insure leadership and continuity is maintained at the lieutenant and captain, and assistant chief levels. Personnel are urged to take the assignment(s) as offered. The added duties will develop and enhance your professional growth. Performances during temporary assignments could affect decisions made on permanent promotions.

1. If a current promotional list exists for that rank, the assignment will be offered form that list.
   
   1. The assignment will be offered by ranking from the list.
   2. If someone takes the assignment not assigned to the shift where the vacancy is, multiple shift changes may occur.
   3. If the promotional list is depleted with out filling the position, then the seniority list will be used next.
2. If a current promotional list does not exist or no one opts to take the assignment from the promotional list, the assignment will be offered based on eligibility and departmental seniority.
   
   1. Eligibility is based on promotional test qualifications.
   2. The assignment will be offered by ranking from the list.
   3. If nobody takes the assignment, then the Fire Chief will make the assignment.
3. All vacancies created by this will be filled the same way.Example: If there was a captains vacancy it would be filled from either the captain’s promotional or seniority list, a lieutenant would fill the captains vacancy in the same manner, and a firefighter would fill the lieutenant position in the same manner.
4. Once a position has been temporarily filled, there will not be a change until the absent person returns to full duty or a permanent promotion is made. Example: Promotional exams that are given after a temporary assignment is made will not affect the original temporary assignment.
6. Extended length of time defined typically as “longer than a 1 month period”. This may vary somewhat based on each individual situation.

STATION TOUR PROCEDURES 

1. IntroductionVisits to the fire station by the public should be encouraged.  Every effort should be made to make the public feel welcome. Assist them by being courteous, helpful, and cooperative Each officer and member will be responsible for promoting a positive and professional image to the public. No use of tobacco products while tour is in the station. The television should be off during station tours.
2. SchedulingPublic tours wanting to schedule a tour should be advised to contact the Fire Marshal’s Office to set up an appointment. Groups of adults, or individual adults, are always welcome to visit as the station’s activity schedule allows. Every effort is made to schedule station tours and visits between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
3. SafetyDuring the visit, safety should be stressed. Safety rules should be relayed to visitors at the beginning of the tour in order to ensure an accident-free visit. The station officer should appoint a guide will add the needed degree of order and organization and will also explain the department’s operation and equipment functions. Every effort should be made to answer all questions in an informative and professional manner. An adult supervisor must accompany groups of children. At no time should station officers allow unsupervised children to wander through the fire station or fire department property. 

   Children who are not supervised may involve themselves in activities that are unsafe, increasing the likelihood of an accident. Every officer must be responsible to take the appropriate action necessary to minimize the possibility of a child becoming injured at the fire station.

    

   If a group or individual child cannot be controlled in a safe and responsible manner and after all reasonable efforts have failed, the tour must be terminated in a tactful and professional manner.

UNSCHEDULED VISITORS

1. It is the duty of all fire department personnel to greet any visitors, introduce themselves, determine the visitors’ needs, assist them where possible, or direct them to the station officer. It is also the duty of the station personnel to notify the station officer when a chief officer, other department member, or other city department official enters the station on official business.
2. All games or recreational activity will cease when any visitor enters the station.
3. Routine station activities should continue except for the member(s) required to satisfy the request of the visitor.
4. While visits from friends or family members may, at times, be advantageous, such visits should be so arranged that they will not interfere with the performance of normal station routines.
5. Telephone calls from and to assigned members of any fire station should also be arranged so they occur on a reasonable basis and do not interfere with the performance of normal department duties.

HANDLING A CITIZENS INQUIRY, CONCERN, REQUEST OR COMPLAINT

Occasionally citizens will call the fire department with a question, concern request for service, complaint, etc. Sometimes the caller may have the issues settled on the first call, other times, the matter in question can not be handled immediately and must be forwarded to someone else. It is the policy of Red Oak Fire Rescue that all employees handle these citizen inquiries with a courteous nature and at the time of the call if possible. If the issue must be forwarded to someone else the caller should be informed of the name of the person he or she is being referred to and the expected time and day the person is to be back on duty. In some instances the caller may be willing to wait, in other cases the caller may need to speak to someone immediately. In those cases that need immediate attention the employee should see that the call is forwarded in an efficient manner directly to the person or city department that can best handle the issue.

When Red Oak Fire Rescue personnel received messages from individuals requesting service, a return call, etc. the employee should make contact with that individual as soon as reasonably possible. The first contact may be only to verify the request or to let the caller know that the proper person has received the request. The actual answer to the question, response to the concern, etc. may be coming at a later time but the initial confirmation contact should be made within 24 hours of the original call. It is understood that with weekends and our unique schedule some calls may take longer to respond to: However, this should only happen when there is good and logical reason for the delay and when the citizen is willing to wait. All other calls should be forwarded immediately.