Clearwater Fire & Rescue Conduct & Behavior Policy PDF

CLEARWATER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT STANDARD DEPARTMENT POLICY S.D.P. 106P SUBJECT: Conduct and Behavior PAGE 1 OF 3 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY:...

CLEARWATER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT STANDARD DEPARTMENT POLICY S.D.P. 106P SUBJECT: Conduct and Behavior PAGE 1 OF 3 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: Executive APPROVED BY: EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/20/02 REVISION DATE: 05/13/20 REVIEWED DATE: 02/01/22 SIGNATURE ON FILE, APPROVED TO FORM THIS DATE BY SCOTT EHLERS, FIRE CHIEF, FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT FORMS REQUIRED: NOTE: Current forms are located on the Department’s SharePoint. STANDARD All employees of Clearwater Fire & Rescue will conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful and courteous to co-workers and others in and around the workplace; will provide a safe working environment; show respect towards others; and present a professional image. PURPOSE It is the intent of the Department to convey the message that engaging in, participating in, or encouraging certain inappropriate behavior in and around the workplace is not acceptable. It is also the intent of the Department to provide for a working environment that is free of actions, conduct, and behaviors that can be characterized as offensive, inappropriate, or harassing. 106P.1 Defining Unacceptable Conduct and Behavior A. Unacceptable behavior is any action that could be viewed as negative or offensive by co-workers, other City employees, or the public. B. Conduct in and around the workplace should never result in 1. interference with individual or unit readiness/responsiveness to emergencies, training, or other mission elements; 2. damage to departmental or personal items/equipment; 3. injury to any personnel; 4. compromising safety of individuals or equipment; and 5. compromising any persons, co-workers, equipment, or public perception. SUBJECT: Conduct and Behavior EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/20/02 S.D.P. 106P REVISION DATE: 05/13/20 CATEGORY: Executive SUBCATEGORY: PAGE 2 of 3 106P.2 Recognized Behavioral/Conduct Standards A. The City has compiled and adopted standards of Personal Responsibility and Integrity which are published and found in The Official PBMP Manual, Volume II. Personnel should review these periodically to create and foster an awareness level of expected standards of conduct. B. The City of Clearwater will not tolerate hostile, offensive, or intimidating conduct that is unwanted, unwelcome, or that impedes the ability of employees to perform job duties. C. Clearwater Fire and Rescue will provide a workplace that is free of actions, conduct, or behavior which could be interpreted by any employee as hostile, offensive, intimidating, unwanted or unwelcome. D. Violators of these standards will be subject to the Department’s Behavior Modification Plan. Company officers and Chief Officers will be responsible to enforce these standards of conduct. 106P.3 Sexual Misconduct A. Definitions Sexual Misconduct: Any sexual contact or sexual activity that occurs while on duty, stems from official duty, occurs on fire department property, occurs on or in a fire department apparatus or vehicle, or occurs while in uniform or partially in uniform. Sexual misconduct includes but is not limited to use of one’s official position and official resources to pursue or solicit sexual contact or sexual activity. Actor: The person accused of sexual assault or making a sexual contact. Sexual contact: Any physical contact with the intimate parts of another person committed for the purpose of sexual gratification. Sexual activity: Intercourse, oral or anal sex, or masturbation. B. Regulations Prohibiting Sexual Misconduct 1. Sexual contact or sexual activity of any nature while on duty is prohibited. 2. Sexual contact or sexual activity on fire department property, or on or in a fire department apparatus or vehicle, is prohibited whether personnel are on duty or off duty. 3. Sexual contact or sexual activity while in uniform, or while wearing any part of the uniform that makes the individual identifiable as a member of this Department, is prohibited whether personnel are on duty or off duty. SUBJECT: Conduct and Behavior EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/20/02 S.D.P. 106P REVISION DATE: 05/13/20 CATEGORY: Executive SUBCATEGORY: PAGE 3 of 3 4. Sexual contact or sexual activity while wearing or being in contact with any item of personal protective equipment, issued by the Department, is prohibited whether personnel are on duty or off duty. This specifically includes a helmet, bunker pants, bunker coat, hood, or boots. 5. Sexual Misconduct is prohibited. C. Reporting Requirements 1. Any member of this Department, who is made aware of any violation of this policy, is required to report the violation to their supervisor. The supervisor will immediately utilize the chain of command to notify the Fire Chief, who shall cause the matter to be promptly investigated. 2. Under no circumstances may a supervisor attempt to resolve a complaint of sexual misconduct with the complainant. D. Discipline 1. Any member found to be in violation of the provisions of this policy may be subject to discipline up to and including termination, and where appropriate the matter may be referred to law enforcement for possible criminal charges. 2. Any member having knowledge of a violation of this policy, who fails to report said violation may also be subject to discipline up to and including termination and may face criminal charges if appropriate. 3. If a sexual misconduct violation involves supervisory personnel, the reporting employee shall notify an appropriate command level officer and will not be strictly held to his or her normal chain of command. E. Training 1. All fire department personnel shall receive specific training about the elements of sexual misconduct. The training will also include a review of all elements of this policy.