Spring Fire Department Social Networking Use Policy PDF

# Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline ## **Social Networking Use** **Revision:** 0 **Issue Date:** 8 Aug. 2024 **Review Date:** 1 Aug. 2025 **Effective Date:** 8 Aug. 2024 **Approved by:** Scott C. Seifert ## **1. Executive Summary** * **Procedures and R...

# Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 Standard Operating Guideline ## **Social Networking Use** **Revision:** 0 **Issue Date:** 8 Aug. 2024 **Review Date:** 1 Aug. 2025 **Effective Date:** 8 Aug. 2024 **Approved by:** Scott C. Seifert ## **1. Executive Summary** * **Procedures and Responsibilities:** Members are solely responsible for their online posts and must consider the risks and rewards of their content, which can impact their job and the department. * **Rules Compliance:** Members must adhere to the department's policies, and any inappropriate postings can lead to disciplinary actions, including termination. * **Respectfulness:** Posts should be fair and courteous, avoiding malicious or intimidating content that could harm reputations or contribute to a hostile work environment. * **Accuracy:** Members should be honest in their posts, correct mistakes promptly, and avoid spreading false information. * **Confidentiality and Representation:** Members must maintain confidentiality and not represent themselves as spokespersons for the department without authorization. * **Prohibited Use:** The use of TikTok or any related service by ByteDance on department devices is strictly prohibited. ## **2. Purpose** * At Spring Fire Department, we understand that social media can be a fun and rewarding way to share your life and opinions with family, friends and co-workers around the world. However, use of social media also presents certain risks and carries with it certain responsibilities. To assist you in making responsible decisions about your use of social media, we have established these guidelines for appropriate use of social media. ## **3. Policy Statement** * All members will comply with this policy while utilizing social networking of any kind. ## **4. Scope** * This guideline applies to all members. ## **5. Definitions** * See Glossary. ## **6. Procedures and Responsibilities** * In the rapidly expanding world of electronic communication, social media can mean many things. Social media includes all means of communicating or posting information or content of any sort on the Internet, including to your own or someone else's web log or blog, journal or diary, personal web site, social networking or affinity web site, web bulletin board or a chat room, whether or not associated or affiliated with Spring Fire Department, as well as any other form of electronic communication. Ultimately, you are solely responsible for what you post online. Before creating online content, consider some of the risks and rewards that are involved. Keep in mind that any of your conduct that adversely affects your job performance, the performance of fellow associates or otherwise adversely affects members, customers, suppliers, people who work on behalf of Spring Fire Department or Spring Fire Department's legitimate business interests may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. ## **7. References & Related Policies** | **Reference** | **Documentation** | |:---|:---| | NFPA | Applicable State or Federal Statutes | | OSHA | Spring FD | | TCFP | CPSE PI | | Other: | Texas Model Security Plan | | ISO | TFCA | ## **8. Contact Office** * The appropriate contact office for questions or comments on this SOG is: * Company Officer: * District Chief * HR Director ## **9. List of Changes** | Revision No. | Description of Changes | Approved by | Effective Date | |:---|:---|:---|:---| ## **10. Errors** See something wrong? Click here or use this QR code to submit an error or inconsistency. This policy is for internal use only and does not enlarge a member's legal duty or civil liability in any way. This policy should not be construed as creating a duty to act or a higher duty of care, with respect to third-party civil claims against members or the department. A violation of this policy, if proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by this department for non-judicial administrative action in accordance with the laws governing member discipline.