Fire Department Policies Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the compensation for an employee performing the duties of a company officer or shift commander for one hour or more?

Their current hourly pay

A fixed overtime rate

Minimum wage

The current starting pay for that position (correct)

What does the upgrade for acting Lieutenants entail regarding compliance monitoring?

Monitoring compliance of all department SOPs and Administrative Regulations (correct)

Monitoring illness among the staff

Monitoring the financial status of the department

Monitoring complaints from the public

Who can be included in the acting Lieutenants list?

Individuals participating in the Lieutenant promotional process and those eligible to test (correct)

Any employee regardless of promotional process involvement

Only full-time employees with over five years of service

Only individuals who achieved the minimum score in the Lieutenant promotional process

What is the primary purpose of creating an acting Lieutenant list?

To distribute acting time and provide additional experience Signup and view all the answers

What must an employee do to refuse to act in a capacity outside their regular assignment?

Sign a declination to act form Signup and view all the answers

What happens if an employee refuses to act on their regular duty shift?

It is seen as refusing to act on any shift Signup and view all the answers

How long does a declination to act form remain valid?

For a minimum of 6 months unless rescinded Signup and view all the answers

What lists are created and maintained in the same manner as the acting Lieutenant list?

The acting Battalion Chief list Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum accumulation of sick leave for shift employees?

1080 hours Signup and view all the answers

What is the rate at which employees accrue sick leave?

12 hours per month Signup and view all the answers

What is the requirement concerning notification of absence due to sickness?

Notify within one hour before the shift Signup and view all the answers

What may happen if an employee abuses sick leave?

They may face disciplinary action Signup and view all the answers

When is physician verification typically required for returning to work after sick leave?

After missing three or more consecutive shifts Signup and view all the answers

What is the pay received for each day of accrued sick leave used?

24 hours of basic straight time pay Signup and view all the answers

What action may be taken if an employee utilizes sick leave before or after a scheduled vacation repeatedly?

They may be required to submit physician’s verification of illness Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential consequence for falsifying verification of illness?

Disciplinary action Signup and view all the answers

What is the time frame for submitting a grievance to the Fire Chief after receiving the Deputy Chief's answer?

Ten business days Signup and view all the answers

What happens if the Fire Chief does not respond to a grievance within the specified time frame?

The grievance shall be deemed denied Signup and view all the answers

If a grievance is not settled at Step 2, what is the next step in the grievance procedure?

Submit to the Board of Trustees Signup and view all the answers

How long does the Board of Trustees have to respond after a grievance is presented at Step 3?

Forty calendar days Signup and view all the answers

What is the annual allocation amount for education and training for each full-time bargaining unit member?

$1,750.00 Signup and view all the answers

How is the funding for probationary employees' education and training determined?

Full amount after six months of credible service Signup and view all the answers

Who has the discretion to approve additional allowances for Battalion Chiefs for education and training?

The Fire Chief Signup and view all the answers

Whose responsibility is it to take advantage of District-initiated training?

The employee's own responsibility Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum duration of credible service required for an employee to be eligible for tuition reimbursement?

Six months Signup and view all the answers

Which grade must an employee achieve to avoid repayment of course costs if the course offers a letter grade?

C Signup and view all the answers

How often can an employee with more than five years of service donate their tuition allocation to another full-time employee?

Every year Signup and view all the answers

What must an employee do before enrolling in an outside class or training that is not mandated?

Complete a Training Request form Signup and view all the answers

Under what condition can the District allow members to attend approved classes during duty hours?

If minimum staffing requirements are maintained Signup and view all the answers

How soon must members request coverage for attending a District-approved class?

Two weeks prior Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'passing grade' encompass for pass/fail classes?

P Signup and view all the answers

What is required for an employee to receive reimbursement for costs related to classes?

Provide documentation verifying costs and completion Signup and view all the answers

What must occur when reasonable suspicion exists about an employee's fitness for duty?

The District may require the employee to submit to an examination. Signup and view all the answers

If the employee is found unable to perform their job after the first examination, what option is available next?

The employee may have a second examination at their own expense. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if there is a disagreement between the first two physicians regarding the employee's fitness for duty?

A third examination may be conducted by a physician selected by the first two physicians. Signup and view all the answers

How are the costs of the third physician's examination handled?

The costs are equally shared between the District and the employee. Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum amount of sick time that employees can use or donate without affecting PEHP calculations?

24 hours per calendar year. Signup and view all the answers

What is required for a grievance to be properly submitted?

The grievance must be submitted within ten business days of the event. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if the Deputy Chief does not respond to the grievance within the required timeframe?

The grievance is deemed denied after ten days. Signup and view all the answers

What must be included in a grievance submitted to the Deputy Chief?

A complete statement of the events leading to the grievance. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Acting Lieutenant/Battalion Chief

Employees acting as a company officer or shift commander for one hour or more will be compensated at the starting pay for that position.
An acting Lieutenant list will be created and maintained for the same period of time as the Lieutenant eligibility list.
The acting Lieutenant list is for the distribution of acting time and is not meant for promotional process.
Acting Battalion Chief lists will be created and maintained in a similar way.
Employees can decline to act in a capacity outside of their regular assignment.
Employees on the Lieutenant or Battalion eligibility list are prohibited from declining to act.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees accrue sick leave at a rate of 12 hours per month of employment with a maximum accumulation of 1080 hours.
Each day of accrued sick leave used is paid 24 hours of basic straight-time hourly pay.
Sick leave can be used hour for hour.
Notification of absence due to sickness must be given to the on-duty Battalion Chief or Station 1 Lieutenant at least one hour prior to the shift.
The District can require medical consultations, tests, and physician verification of illness if there is suspicion of sick leave abuse.
Employees may be required a physician verification of illness if they use sick leave immediately before or after a scheduled vacation or shift trade day off two or more times within 24 months.
Employees can use or donate up to 24 hours of sick time per calendar year without affecting their PEHP calculations, provided they have over 720 hours during the calculation period.

Grievance Procedure

Grievances must be submitted in writing to the Deputy Chief within 10 business days of the occurrence or when the employee knew of the occurrence.
The Deputy Chief must provide a written response within 10 business days.
If the grievance is not settled, it can be appealed to the Fire Chief within 10 business days of the Deputy Chief's response.
The Fire Chief must provide a written response within 10 business days.
If the grievance is still not settled, it can be appealed to the Board of Trustees within 10 business days of the Fire Chief's response.
The Board of Trustees must provide a written response within 40 calendar days.

Educational/Training Process

The District sets aside an annual allocation of $1,750.00 for each full-time bargaining unit member for education and training.
The District will make every possible effort to provide opportunities for education and training outside the District.
The Employer will pay for preapproved classes for employees with at least six months of credible service for courses related to the fire service, rescue, and emergency medical areas up to the maximum dollar amount allocated for the fiscal year.
Employees must obtain advance approval of the Fire Chief or designee before taking a course.
If the employee does not complete the course with a passing grade, they will repay the District for the costs accrued through payroll reduction.
Employees can donate their allocation to another full-time employee once every two years if they have less than or equal to 5 years of service with New Lenox and once every year if they have more than 5 years of service.
Employees must complete a Training Request form for outside classes or training that are not mandated.
The District must provide shift coverage for employees for classes, seminars, and training sessions that the District mandates.
The District may allow members to attend approved classes while on duty, up to 12 hours per shift, as long as minimum staffing requirements are maintained.

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Description

This quiz covers key policies related to acting positions and sick leave for employees within the fire department. It addresses compensation, eligibility lists, and sick leave accrual details. Test your understanding of these important operational standards.