SOP 30

Overview of St. Johns County Fire Rescue Policy

• The policy provides a general view of rules of conduct for Department personnel and supports the Department Mission Statement and Core Values.
• All Fire Rescue personnel are expected to abide by the rules and regulations.

Personnel Responsibilities

• Personnel are expected to be familiar with the content of Department policies, Fire Rescue policies, and Collective Bargaining Agreements.
• All personnel can access a copy of these documents on Department computers.

Rules of Conduct

• All personnel are accountable for their actions, and the seriousness of any offense will determine the appropriate actions.
• General conduct (GC) directives represent the common personal conduct standards required of each member to fulfill the Department's mission.

Specific Conduct Guidelines

• GC 1: Conduct themselves in a highly self-disciplined manner and regulate their conduct in a positive, cooperative, and mature way.
• GC 2: Devote time, efforts, and attention to the service of the Department while on-duty.
• GC 3: Participate in Department training activities and be thoroughly familiar with equipment used in performance of duties.
• GC 4: Work competently in their positions to ensure effective Department programs.
• GC 5: Not use or be under the influence of alcoholic beverages, debilitating drugs, or substances while on-duty.
• GC 6: Report prescribed or over-the-counter medications with significant potential side effects to their supervisor.
• GC 7: Use training and capabilities to protect the public to the best of their abilities.
• GC 8: Report to duty at their assigned station, be on time, and ready to respond at designated shift change.
• GC 9: Be held personally responsible for all Department property issued to them.
• GC 10: Not post or permit advertising matter, posters, or private notices on Department property or apparatus without Section Chief approval.
• GC 11: Follow radio communications procedures when leaving their station.
• GC 12: Exercise the full authority of their assigned position when assigned out of position.
• GC 13: Treat official business of the Department as confidential and protect patient privacy.
• GC 14: Not make any purchase or incur any liability in the name of the Department without permission.
• GC 15: Not receive any fee or solicit pay for services rendered in the performance of duty.

Additional Conduct Guidelines

• GC 16: Ensure the cleanliness of their assigned apparatus and station areas daily.
• GC 17: Communicate with one another as to activities, suggestions, problems, and status of their respective units.
• GC 18: Not engage in any sexual activity while on-duty.
• GC 19: Keep themselves physically fit as firefighters and participate in physical fitness.
• GC 20: Not abuse their leave privileges.
• GC 21: Not knowingly falsify any St. Johns County Fire Rescue record.
• GC 22: Not remove, damage, or tamper with another member's personal property or the property of St. Johns County.
• GC 23: Not display abusive behavior pertaining to politics, sex, religion, age, sexual preference, diversity, ethnicity, or labor/union membership while on-duty.
• GC 24: Wear seat belts when driving or riding in a St. Johns County Fire Rescue vehicle.
• GC 25: Follow guidance provided in SOP Chapter-Department Phones-Cell Phones regarding cell phone use.
• GC 26: Not engage in outside employment, enterprise, or activity that interferes with their duties as St. Johns County employees.
• GC 27: Obtain approval from the shift supervisor or Fire Rescue Chief before performing services that involve the use of County property.
• GC 28: Follow guidelines for dining at restaurants while on-duty.