GAG 1-29 Photography and Videotaping.docx

**General Administrative Guidelines** ------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- ------------- Subject: Photography and Videotaping Effective Date: 10/6/14 GAG: 1-29 Applies t...

**General Administrative Guidelines** ------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- ------------- Subject: Photography and Videotaping Effective Date: 10/6/14 GAG: 1-29 Applies to: ALL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Supersedes: 9/1/2009 Page 1 of 2 Responsible Committee: Human Resources Next Review Date: 9-1-2011 ------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- ------------- **PURPOSE:** This GAG is for the purpose of setting forth the guidelines concerning the on-duty activities of on-duty KCFD personnel concerning taking, distributing, storing, and the utilization of photographs and/or video recordings. **SCOPE:** This GAG is applicable to all personnel of the department. **GUIDELINES:** I. The documentation of an incident or other occurrence by photography and/or video recording may be a valuable tool for the department. Examples of such events include: A. Fires 1. While in progress 2. Following extinguishment 3. Fire investigations B. Hazardous materials incidents 4. During the release of a product 5. KCFD incident operations 6. The results of a spill and/or release C. Rescue Incidents 7. KCFD Operations 8. Documenting situations that may be useful for internal training D. EMS Incidents 9. Mass casualty events documenting general KCFD operations 10. Non-patient specific photo/video documentation that may be useful for internal training II. Generally, the following are the objectives for photograph/video documentation: E. To enhance KCFD training F. To document Fire Code violations G. To assist in documenting a fire and/or explosion scene where KCFD has investigative responsibility and authority H. For use as a media or public relations tool I. To document motor vehicle collisions involving KCFD and injury incidents including KCFD personnel. III. Generally, photograph and/or video documentation should not be utilized where it is inappropriate such as the following: J. Where an EMS patient's privacy would be violated K. Documenting a potential code violation or criminal event where KCFD has no investigative authority L. Non-official department activities **General Administrative Guidelines** ------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------- Subject: Photography and Videotaping Effective Date: 10/6/14 GAG: 1-29 Applies to: ALL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Supersedes: 9/1/2009 Page 2 of 2 Responsible Committee: Human Resources Next Review Date: 9-01-2011 ------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- ------------- IV. Personnel Authorized to Conduct Photographic and/or Video Activities Photographic images captured by any of the personnel listed below while on-duty remain the property of the Fire Department and may not be released without the express concent of the Fire Chief or Designee. M. All chief officers N. All training officers and instructors O. All investigators P. All inspectors Q. All civilian managers R. All KCFD personnel when directed to do so by a chief officer and/or civilian manager V. Depository S. The Fire Prevention Division shall serve as the repository and as the official custodian of all photographic/ video documentation. T. A CD containing all photographs and/or videos shall be forwarded to the Fire Prevention Division for filing. 11. The CD shall be labeled with all pertinent information including items such as incident number, date/time taken, and the photographer's rank, name and duty assignment. 12. Duplicate copies may be maintained for official and authorized purposes by any KCFD division and/or bureau. U. All non-KCFD personnel, entities, organizations & etc shall be charged a fee for duplicate CD's unless specific permission is granted by the Fire Chief. 13. The only point of photograph/video release shall be from the designated custodian in the Fire Prevention Division. 14. KCFD bureaus and divisions may share CD's internally for authorized departmental activities. VI. Restrictions concerning photograph/video documentation include the following: V. This type of documentation is only for official KCFD business. W. If the taking of photographs and or video taping would violate any city or department policy, regulation, rule, GAG or GOG, then such documentation shall not be undertaken. Any authorized photograph or video shall be submitted to the KCFD depository. X. It shall be a significant violation of KCFD departmental policy to share any photographic or video documentation for other than approved official KCFD business. This shall include the posting of such photographs/video documentation on any internet site unless specific permission is granted by the Fire Chief. Y. No KCFD photographs and/or video documentation may be utilized for personal or non-department business uses, unless such items are obtained as an open record and all department fees are paid at the time when a CD was obtained from the custodian within the Fire Prevention Division. Z. There shall be no release of any photographic/video documentation to the media without the approval of the Fire Chief.