Fire Department Operations and Roles

Waukegan Fire Department Work Rules

• Revised: January 2020
• Purpose: General guidelines for fire department operations and conduct. Supplementary standard operating procedures provide details.
• Rules and regulations: Not intended to override civil service or contractual obligations.
• Member Responsibility: Each member receives and is accountable for these rules. Return of the rulebook upon leaving employment is mandatory.

Chapter I: Definitions

• Orders: Commands, instructions, or directions from a higher ranking member.
• Special Orders: Temporary orders, notices, or instructions circulating and filed for disposal.
• Fire Incident: Any situation that requires Fire Department action or service.
• Shift: A 24-hour tour of duty.
• Company: A group of firefighters assigned to a station and led by a company officer.
• Detail (Company): Temporary assignment of firefighters from one company to another.
• Detail (Special): Assignment of firefighters for specialized services by the chief.

Chapter II: Command and Supervisory Responsibilities and Authority

• Fire Chief: The highest authority, responsible for policy, operations, and discipline.
• Fire Chief Responsibility:
  • Life and property protection within legal limits.
  • Planning, coordination, control, and staffing operations.
  • Continuous, efficient operations.
  • Reporting and communication to other authorities.
  • Relationship management with citizens, the city government, and other agencies.
  • Maintaining and adhering to all rules and regulations.
• Deputy Chief: Handles apparatus, stations, personnel duties when the Chief is absent.

Chapter II: Command and Supervisory Responsibilities and Authority (continued)

• Battalion Chief (Commanding Officer): Direct control over members in their command area; Maintaining command and control of personnel for proper performance of duties.
• Supervisory Responsibilities:
  • Proper command control of personnel and adherence to procedures.
  • Loyalty and esprit de corps maintenance.
  • Discipline and morale management/investigation.
  • Inter-divisional cooperation initiatives.
  • Organization and assignment of members within their command.
  • Maintain records to support and document activities.
• Maintaining order, conduct, and efficiency within the assigned team/squad.
• Captain (Officer in Charge): Maintains command and responsibility of the company during their shift.
• Captain Responsibilities:
  • Good order, disciplinary compliance, conduct, welfare, field training, and efficiency.

Chapter II: Command and Supervisory Responsibilities and Authority (Continued)

• Lieutenants:
• Lieutenants Responsibilities: Responsibility for subordinate activity, making corrections, and praise when appropriate.
• Direction, personnel oversight, and support.
• Enforcement of policies and procedures.
• Investigation of misconducts, violations, etc.
• Support and guidance to subordinates.
• Addressing grievances.
• Station Officers: Oversight of station personnel and property.
• Station Officer Responsibilities: Maintaining station journals (operations logs), other supervisory duties, and ensuring proper equipment maintenance.
• Reporting to the Fire Chief and/or other specified officers regarding station operations.

Chapter III: Rules and Regulations for All Members

• Professional Conduct and Responsibilities: Maintain high standards and professionalism in the community; avoiding public disrepute.
• Loyalty: Upholding loyalty for departmental associates and the department as a whole.
• Cooperation: Emphasizing inter-unit cooperation in firefighting situations.
• Assistance: Prioritizing aid and support of fellow firefighters in danger.
• Duty Responsibilities: Adherence to legal, departmental standards and operating procedures. Following all instructions, and operating procedures.

Chapter III: Rules and Regulations for All Members (continued)

• Questions Regarding Assignment: Clarifying assignment doubts via Chain of Command.

• Knowledge of Laws and Regulations: Demonstrating familiarity with the City's regulations, departmental policies, and orders.

• Performance of Duty: Prompt fulfilling of duties, rules, policy, and orders (from superiors).

Chapter III: Rules and Regulations for All Members (continued)

• Conduct Towards Supervisor/Subordinates: Professional and respectful interactions.
• Criticism of Orders: Members shall not publicly criticize instructions.
• Issuance of Orders: Orders must be civil, clear, and understandable; relating to the appropriate department business matter.
• Unlawful Orders: Awareness and avoidance of unlawful or inappropriate orders.
• Obedience to Unlawful Orders: Clarifying member obligation despite improper orders.

Chapter III: Rules and Regulations for All Members (continued)

• Conflicting Orders: Resolution procedure for potentially conflicting orders; emphasis on the importance of informing the appropriate authority.
• Reports and Appeals: Reporting necessary for unlawful, unjust, or improper orders, including written reports and grievance procedures.

Chapter III: Rules and Regulations for All Members (continued)

• Acceptance of Gifts, Gratuities: Members cannot solicit or accept gifts to influence department business. Exception is for authorized salary, per law.
• Other Transactions: Prohibition against buying or selling from persons involved in their department dealings; unless authorized by the chief of staff.
• Rewards: Members cannot accept gifts and gratuities other than for services rendered; except lawful compensation.
• Free Admissions and Passes Members cannot solicit or accept free admissions not related to departmental activities.
• Debts Incurring and Payment: Personal debts are the responsibility of each member.

Chapter III: Rules and Regulations for All Members (continued)

• Compensation for Other Damages: Damage compensation for on-duty injuries or expenses must be reported to the chief.

• Compensation for Off-Duty Damage: Procedures to follow if compensation is sought for off-duty injuries.

• Misplaced Equipment: Reporting lost or misplaced equipment promptly to the station where it belongs; including immediate notification of the station officer or appropriate supervisor..

• General Conduct on Duty: Members' behavior (loitering, courteous behavior, etc.) relative to their duty.

Chapter III: Rules and Regulations for All Members (continued)

• Military Courtesy: Following norms of military courtesy if interacting in public.
• National Colors and Anthem: Rendering appropriate honors to national colors/anthem as required.
• Roll Call: Timely arrival and preparedness (uniforms).
• Relief: Members must be properly relieved of duty.
• Reporting: Prompt reporting by members as needed for duties.

Chapter III: Rules and Regulations for All Members (continued)

• Absence from Duty: Formal notification prior to absence is required.
• Inspections: Compliance with inspections from superior officers.
• Training: Attendance at training and following instructions accurately to improve knowledge and skills.
• Consumption of Intoxicants/Substances: Maintaining sobriety for performance; maintaining professionalism; no use of illegal substances, or items that negatively affect performance of job.
• Substance Abuse: Prohibitions regarding illegal and intoxicating substances.

Chapter III: Rules and Regulations for All Members (continued)

• Intoxicants/Substances on Departmental Premises: Forbidden substance use/concealment on department property.
• Possession of Keys: Authorization required from chief or commanding officer.
• Address and Telephone Number: Immediate registration of address/phone with chief and secretary.
• Smoking Prohibited: Locations and timing restrictions; adhering to fire, safety codes; ensuring safety and awareness of surroundings.
• Visitors: Restrictions regarding visitors on department premises.
• Public Courtesy: Members' duties to be accommodating to the public.
• Smoking exceptions: May be reasonably justified by the chief

Chapter III: Rules and Regulations for All Members (continued)

• Uniforms: Standards for firefighters, lieutenants, and captains; maintaining neat appearance; including appropriate dress and uniform modifications.
• Uniform Change (Seasonal): Adhering to seasonal clothing changes.
• Uniforms and Equipment: Uniform regulations to be followed pertaining to issues (clothing items), equipment, and appearance.
• Wearing the Uniform: Appropriate times, and exceptions to the rules.
• Wearing Uniforms When Suspended: Uniform restrictions when suspended from duty.
• Dress on Duty: General requirements for duty uniforms.

Chapter III: Rules and Regulations for All Members (continued)

• Civilian Clothing: Guidelines for civilian clothing and dress when appropriate for duty situations. Including when it is permitted, and what form of dress is appropriate to adhere to.
• Equipment Suppression: Maintenance and proper usage of operational equipment; including personal protections (gloves, helmets), and necessary equipment for use while on duty, like masks.
• Department Property and Equipment: Property care, reporting lost/misplaced items, and potential disciplinary action (consequences), including the proper use of department equipment and the accountability for misuse or loss of equipment.
• Damaged Inoperative Property/Equipment: Reporting damage promptly, maintenance-related defects to appropriate officers, and notification of such damage or loss to the department.

Chapter III: Rules and Regulations for All Members (continued)

• Display of Materials: Restriction on posters and materials displayed to be suitable, appropriate, and not suggestive/harmful.
• Department Buildings: Respect for building materials, maintenance, and regulations applicable to building property.
• Notices/Posted Information: Maintenance and upkeep of posted information (correct format, appropriateness, etc.).
• Surrender of Department Property: Handling of surrendered property before leaving department service; ensuring return in proper condition.
• Care of Fire Station (Interior/Exterior): Maintaining cleanliness and order of the station, including exterior grounds surrounding the station.

Chapter III: Rules and Regulations for All Members (continued)

• Department Vehicles: Allowed use and maintenance of department-owned or operated vehicles. Including proper operational use and maintenance.
• CARE of Spare Apparatus and Equipment: Safekeeping of spare apparatus, checking equipment conditions and reporting maintenance needs.
• Transporation of Citizens: Transportation of citizens via department vehicles, when necessary and appropriate, and abiding by legal regulations.
• Reporting Accidents: Use and submission of forms for reporting accidents. Including reporting procedures.
• Radio Discipline: Observing appropriate procedures and regulations during communication (radio).

Chapter III: Rules and Regulations for All Members (continued)

• Radio Communications: Maintaining and accurately using communications equipment for dispatch, operations, etc. Including reporting procedures.
• Death or Serious Injury Reports: Notification process for immediate safety concerns or death (involving department personnel). Including immediate forms and reports.
• Non-Serious Injury Reporting: Reporting processes for non-fatal injuries to members. Including immediate forms and reports.
• Death of Member Notification to Family: Reporting processes for notifying the family, and procedures for member notification. Include prompt notifications.

Chapter III: Rules and Regulations for All Members (continued)

• Procedure at Scene of Fire: Responsibilities of arriving firefighters and activities that should occur at the scene of a fire. Including pre-arrival and post-arrival procedures.

• General Responsibilities of Members: Actions, for the first arriving company on location; including the roles and responsibilities delegated to various members/teams.

• Reporting to Commanding Officer: Reporting to the commanding officer regarding the fire; including time-related reporting procedures, and steps involved in reporting.

• Relieving Companies: Procedures for relieving firefighting teams; ensuring smooth shift transition, and order.

• Responding to Fires: Reporting and responding for fire duty promptly to maintain safety and efficiency.

• Travel in Response to Alarms: Safe and efficient procedures for responding to emergencies, including speed limits and appropriate routes; following all applicable safety/traffic laws and protocols.

• Speed of Apparatus Control: Using signals and lights safely while responding to emergencies; especially concerning crossings, and operating all equipment appropriately, including caution in busy areas.

• USE of Sirens: Safety regulations and proper use of sirens when responding to emergencies.

• Station Procedures: including morning call, maintenance of scheduled duties; and guidelines related to answering alarms promptly.

Chapter IV: Departmental Discipline

• Employee Conduct: High standards for conduct reflecting public interest.
• Improper Employee Conduct: Examples of violations including violations of civil service rules, safety rules, and department/city regulations.
• Disciplinary Action: Objective of disciplinary action is to improve performance and morale, appropriate to the violation/situation, and fair.

Chapter IV: Departmental Discipline (continued)

• Who is Subject to Disciplinary Action: Any member violating city, state, or local rules/regulations, and failing to meet the standards for employee conduct.
• Penalties: Examples of departmental disciplinary actions; including reprimands, suspensions, and dismissal.

Chapter IV: Departmental Discipline (continued)

• Departmental Authority to Discipline: Procedures, authority of various departments on disciplinary action; who has the authority; and who can suspend up to 2 total shift days prior to a final disciplinary decision.
• Emergency Suspension: Procedure for emergencies when immediate action is needed.
• Emergency Discipline: Procedure for determining who has the authority to impose discipline in emergencies/exigent situations.
• Follow-Up action on Emergency Suspensions: Procedures for reporting to the chief in a timely manner.
• Reports of Disciplinary Action: Format for reporting disciplinary action taken.

Chapter IV: Departmental Discipline (continued)

• Misconduct Observed by Fire Personnel: Reporting misconduct by members of the department; detailing specific reporting procedures.

• Citizen Complaints: Procedure for handling citizen complaints against department personnel; including normal and serious cases.

• Serious Complaints/Allegations: Handling severe complaints/allegations; including immediate notification based on severity.

• Investigations of Alleged Misconduct: Procedure for investigating incidents of alleged misconduct; including requirements for gathering facts, evidence, and statements.

• Reports of Investigation: Comprehensive reporting of the investigation, findings, and concluding statements; including standardized descriptions of investigation conclusions.

Other Chapters

• definitions: Additional topics are included in the remaining chapter(s), such as training, safety.