KCFD Rules and Regulations PDF

Policy Manual Subject: KCFD RULES AND REGULATIONS Effective Date: 2-14-05 FD R&R Applies to: ALL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Supersedes: POLICY DATED 8/1/99 Page 1 of 14 PURPOSE: To establish an efficient, equitable and functional system of human resource management within the Kansas City, Missouri Fi...

Policy Manual Subject: KCFD RULES AND REGULATIONS Effective Date: 2-14-05 FD R&R Applies to: ALL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Supersedes: POLICY DATED 8/1/99 Page 1 of 14 PURPOSE: To establish an efficient, equitable and functional system of human resource management within the Kansas City, Missouri Fire Department, based on merit principles, which govern the appointment, promotion, transfer, layoff, dismissal, discipline and other related conditions of employment. These procedures shall be consistent with the existing language of the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and IAFF Local 42, the Administrative Code of the City of Kansas City, Missouri and other pertinent statues, ordinances, directives and regulations. SCOPE: These guidelines shall apply to all members of the Kansas City, Missouri Fire Department. GUIDELINES: These KCFD Rules and Regulations are not expected to, nor can they, provide an answer for every question and problem which may arise in a Department established for emergency service. A great deal must be left to the conscientious discharge of duty, loyalty and integrity of departmental employees as well as to their intelligence, discretion and judgment. In matters of general conduct not within the scope of these KCFD Rules and Regulations, employees should be true to the best interests of law-abiding, self-respecting citizens, always regardful and jealous of the good name of the Fire Service with which they are connected, and in upholding of the reputation of which each should feel himself or herself an important part. All employees of the Fire Department, regardless of assignment or duties, shall abide by and be subject to these Rules and Regulations. In the event a question arises as to the interpretation of any rule or regulation, the Director/Fire Chief or an appointed representative shall make the final decision. KCFD Rules and Regulations that will cover every situation cannot be made in advance and, from time to time, general and special orders in the form of directives will be issued. Provisions in the Administrative Code, Memorandum of Understanding, and the existing KCFD Rules and Regulations governing all employees of the City of Kansas City, Missouri, shall be in effect in conjunction with these Fire Department KCFD Rules and Regulations. The word "member" as used in these KCFD Rules and Regulations is defined as all employees of the Kansas City, Missouri Fire Department. Policy Manual Subject: KCFD RULES AND REGULATIONS Effective Date: 2-14-05 FDR&R Applies to: ALL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Supersedes: POLICY DATED 8/1/99 Page 2 of 14 Index 1.00 General Rules and Regulations 2.00 Conduct of Members 3.00 Department Procedures 4.00 Safety Rules and Regulations 5.00 Fire Academy Rules and Regulations 6.00 Fire Alarm Rules and Regulations 7.00 Bureau of Fire Prevention Rules and Regulations Policy Manual Subject: KCFD RULES AND REGULATIONS Effective Date: 2-14-05 FDR&R Applies to: ALL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Supersedes: POLICY DATED 8/1/99 Page 3 of 14 1.0 General KCFD Rules and Regulations 1.1 It is the responsibility of every employee to be thoroughly acquainted with all provisions of the KCFD Rules and Regulations, General Administrative Guidelines, Department Directives and Orders, and all Training Manuals issued by the Fire Academy. Each employee shall be familiar with the operation, methods and procedures of all Fire Department apparatus and equipment. 1.2 General orders in the form of directives may be transmitted to the Department periodically supplementing these KCFD Rules and Regulations. Chiefs, Division Heads and Company Officers have the authority and will be held responsible for strict observance and enforcement of the provisions contained in these KCFD Rules and Regulations and any directives that may be transmitted in the future. 1.3 A violation of any of these KCFD Rules and Regulations, or any of the duties prescribed therein, are considered offensive. Any employee after due process may be subject to reprimand, suspension from duty, demotion or dismissal from the service. 1.4 It shall be the duty of all officers of the Department to enforce all KCFD Rules and Regulations and policies of the Fire Department and the City of Kansas City, Missouri. Failure to do so will be considered dereliction of duty and disciplinary action will be taken. Policy Manual Subject: KCFD RULES AND REGULATIONS Effective Date: 2-14-05 FDR&R Applies to: ALL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Supersedes: POLICY DATED 8/1/99 Page 4 of 14 2.00 Conduct of Members 2.1 Members shall not use abusive or profane language or engage in offensive conduct toward the public, other members, superior officers or subordinates or commit any act which tends to bring discredit to the Department. 2.2 All members shall be familiar with General Administrative Guideline 6-15, “Fire Department Uniforms” and the Grooming Policy and shall adhere to those. 2.3 Members who are off duty are expressly forbidden from loitering around or in stations. 2.4 When an employee, without an excuse approved by the Battalion Chief or Division Head, fails to report at the beginning of the shift to his/her assigned work station in proper uniform with protective clothing and clean shaven, he/she will be considered absent without leave and subject to disciplinary action. The only way that a member with an incident record reverts to the beginning step is by having no incidents for a continuous 12month period from the date of the most recent infraction. First Incident: Counseling and loss of time to the nearest tenth of an hour. Second Incident: Written reprimand and loss of time to the nearest tenth of an hour. Third Incident: 24-hours suspension. Fourth Incident: 48-hours suspension and notification that the next infraction within 12 months will result in termination. Fifth Incident: Two-weeks suspension and termination. 2.5 While members are on inspection, survey, or any other non-emergency duties, they should be conscious of the attention which is directed to them and to the fire apparatus by the public. A member shall be assigned to monitor the apparatus radio and shall not leave the apparatus unattended. He/she shall not read books or magazines, sit on curbs, lounge or sit on the apparatus with feet propped up, or engage in any activity which might tend to bring discredit to the Fire Department. 2.6 Members shall not make any false reports concerning the character or conduct of any member, or regarding any business of the Department, to the discredit or detriment of the Department or any members. Members shall not make any false entries or statements in any Department record, report or communication with the intent to deceive. Failure to make a proper entry in any Department record, report or communication with intent to deceive or "cover up" shall be considered the same as a false entry. 2.7 Members shall exercise all possible precaution and every measure of safety to prevent injury or accident to members and loss of damage to Department equipment and property. 2.8 Members are forbidden from engaging in any boisterous conduct, horseplay, striking, shoving, or any other similar activities not occasioned by the requirements of their duty and which may result in injury, illness or damage to City property. Policy Manual Subject: KCFD RULES AND REGULATIONS Effective Date: 2-14-05 FDR&R Applies to: ALL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Supersedes: POLICY DATED 8/1/99 Page 5 of 14 2.9 For the purpose of service and discipline, all members shall be subject to the orders of their supervising officers. However, if such order is contrary to an order previously given, the member receiving such order shall notify the officer who issued the conflicting order. When an officer issues an order being fully aware that such order is in conflict with the previous order, that officer shall be held accountable for any harmful results which may ensue from the interference with the execution of the previous order. When controversies arise after the application of this rule, final decisions as to whether or not the conflicting order was justified shall be left to the Director/Fire Chief. 2.10 No member shall absent himself/herself from quarters, any emergency scene or any other duties without permission from his/her immediate supervisor or without being properly relieved. Violations will be considered absence without leave. No member who is on duty shall be relieved by another member without permission from his/her immediate supervisor and any such member relieving another member shall be in proper uniform and shall be capable of performing the duties of the member relieved. 2.11 No member or anyone connected with the Department shall at any time during or following an emergency take or remove anything for his own use from a building or premise involved in the emergency. 2.12 All members shall use proper titles when speaking to or of another member. No member shall speak disrespectfully or engage in offensive conduct to another member. 2.13 Failure to obey a lawful order from a superior officer shall be considered an act of insubordination and disciplinary action will be taken. 2.14 Failure to file charges for violation of these KCFD Rules and Regulations, or for dereliction of duty, or for any misconduct, shall render any officer or acting officer liable for neglect of duty. 2.15 No employee shall wear or otherwise have in their possession a weapon while on duty unless authorized by the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department and the Fire Chief/Director. 2.16 Any sexual harassment or intimidation recurrent in nature and/or having a detrimental effect on the fellow employee's or subordinate's employment situation by any other employee shall be grounds for disciplinary action Policy Manual Subject: KCFD RULES AND REGULATIONS Effective Date: 2-14-05 FDR&R Applies to: ALL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Supersedes: POLICY DATED 8/1/99 Page 6 of 14 3.0 Department Procedures 3.1. All employees must be residents of and domicile in the City of Kansas City, Missouri. Employees who change their resident domicile status by moving out of the City Limits of Kansas City, Missouri, shall automatically forfeit their employment with the City. 3.2 It shall be the responsibility of the employee to have a telephone and to keep the Fire and Personnel Departments informed of his/her current home address and telephone number. Every employee shall report such change on the prescribed forms no later than the first working day following such change. 3.3 All original and all promotional appointments shall be tentative and subject to a probationary period of six months of actual service. Any interruption of service during the probationary period shall not be counted as part of such period. At any time during the initial employee probationary period, the Director/Fire Chief may remove an employee whose performance does not meet the required standards. At any time during the promotional probationary period, the Director/Fire Chief may demote an employee who does not meet the required standards to his or her former position. The Director/Fire Chief shall report the removal and the reasons in writing to the Director of Personnel and to the employee concerned. 3.4 No appointed salaried officer or employee of the Department shall be a member of any national, state or local committee of a political party, or an officer or member of a committee of a partisan political club, or shall take part in the management or affairs of any political party or of any political campaign, except to exercise his/her right as a citizen to privately express his/her opinion and to cast his/her vote. 3.5 No employee of the Department shall have in their possession, indulge in, or be under the influence of drugs without a current prescription, or intoxicating liquor while on duty or in uniform. No employee shall bring or have brought into any fire department facility or vehicle any drugs without a current prescription, or intoxicating liquor. Sick leave must be used if the use of any drug with a current prescription affects the ability of an employee to carry out their full range of duties. 3.6 Employees using fire department telephones, either in calling or answering, shall first give the number of the station, their rank, and name to the person with whom they speak. Personal and long distance calls shall be prohibited from any fire department business telephones located in any fire station. 3.7 Visitors at any fire department facility shall be courteously approached and received. Visitors, other than City officials, shall be required to have the permission of the person in charge of the facility to enter the premises. Visitors not on official business shall not be allowed in any fire station after 8:00 p.m. 3.8 When the Mayor, City Manager, Director/Fire Chief or any Chief Officer on official business enters the quarters, the signal for "line up" of the company(s) shall be sounded unless the official or officer indicates that none is desired. 3.9 No solicitation for money shall be permitted nor any subscription paper is allowed to be circulated, no tickets for entertainment, raffles, etc., will be offered for sale in the Department, without permission from the Director/Fire Chief. Any type of gambling will be strictly prohibited on any Fire Department property. Neither shall personnel be allowed to solicit subscriptions from citizens for any purpose without permission from the Director/Fire Chief. Policy Manual Subject: KCFD RULES AND REGULATIONS Effective Date: 2-14-05 FDR&R Applies to: ALL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Supersedes: POLICY DATED 8/1/99 Page 7 of 14 3.10 All employees shall submit correspondences and requests through the proper chain of command. Suppression: Captain, Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief of Emergency Operations, Fire Chief/Director. Fire Academy: Chief of Training, Deputy Chief of Professional Development, Fire Chief/Director. Fire Alarm: Chief Dispatcher, Superintendent of Operations, Deputy Chief of Technical Services, Fire Chief/Director. Fire Prevention: Assistant Fire Marshal, Fire Marshal, Deputy Chief of Community Services, Fire Chief/Director. A communication from a superior to a subordinate shall normally pass through the immediate officers in the same manner. 3.11 All written orders shall be received by the Captain in charge, posted on the bulletin board for a period of three (3) working days and then filed in the appropriate place. 3.12 In those instances when a member is detailed to another station in the same or adjoining district and provides his/her own transportation, the employee shall have up to 30 minutes to travel from his assigned work place to his/her new station. 3.13 No work of any kind except that which has been assigned or sanctioned by the Department shall be allowed on any Fire Department premises. Personnel wishing to contribute work of a charitable nature may do so after first securing permission from the Director/Fire Chief. 3.14 No sleeping or reclining in such a position as to indicate sleep shall be permitted anywhere in a fire station except during the hours of ready time. 3.15 Personnel, on or off duty, are prohibited from leaving their personal vehicles inside or directly in front of quarters and are prohibited from doing repair work on same while on duty. Employees who have official Fire Department equipment installed in their personal vehicles by the Department may park them inside their station while on duty. 3.16 Social gatherings shall not be permitted in fire stations without the permission and authorization of the Battalion Chief/Division Head or Fire Headquarters. 3.17 Each employee shall promptly notify his/her supervisor of any matters which may come to his/her attention affecting the safety, interest and welfare of the Department or its members, or anything that might bring discredit to the Department. 3.18 No members of one immediate family shall be permanently assigned to duty in the same company and on the same shift or come under the director supervision of either. Policy Manual Subject: KCFD RULES AND REGULATIONS Effective Date: 2-14-05 FDR&R Applies to: ALL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Supersedes: POLICY DATED 8/1/99 Page 8 of 14 3.19 Each member shall report the loss or damage of any protective clothing, uniforms, insignia, or other personal equipment issued to their care by the Department on the proper form immediately and file the appropriate police report if stolen. If it is determined that the loss or damage is due to employee negligence, or carelessness, he/she shall reimburse the City for the cost of such items. It shall be the employee's responsibility to clean and secure all clothing and equipment issued to them. 3.20 Acting officers shall have the authority of the positions in which they are acting, be charged with a working knowledge of the responsibility of the position and be held accountable for the proper execution of the duties of the rank in which they are acting. They shall be obeyed and respected in accordance with the position they temporarily occupy. 3.21 All employees of the Department shall make themselves thoroughly familiar with the location of all streets and fire hydrants in the area in which they are assigned. 3.22 Only authorized personnel on duty shall be permitted to ride on/in any department vehicle except by authority of the Battalion Chief/Division Head, Deputy Chief, Fire Marshal or Director/Fire Chief. 3.23 It shall be the company officer's responsibility to size up and determine the most important emergency or activity if the company discovers another fire or emergency while enroute to an alarm or other activity. He/she shall immediately notify Fire Communications of the discovery and his/her decision to proceed to the original alarm or activity or to stop and mitigate the new emergency. If additional resources are needed, Fire Communications shall take the appropriate action to cover both incidents. 3.24 No member of the Department shall give out any information regarding fires or any other work of the Department unless duly authorized by the Director/Fire Chief. Only the Incident Commander or the Public Information Officer shall give out information regarding incidents after consultation with the Incident Commander. Request for information concerning previous incidents shall be referred to Fire Headquarters. No one shall be allowed to listen to the recording tapes without permission from the Director/Fire Chief. 3.25 Fire Department employees shall not lend, sell, give away or appropriate to their own use any public or private property. 3.26 All money received by members of the Department from individuals or companies for any service performed in connection with the Department while on duty, shall be reported in writing to the Director/Chief within five days after receipt thereof, and all such money shall be turned over to the Firefighter's Pension System. 3.27 At all times except during ready time, a watch system shall be maintained. The Captain or Acting Captain in charge of the station shall assign members to tours of watch duty and shall post same on the bulletin board. Tours of duty shall be equalized as nearly as possible and arranged so that continuous watch will be maintained. The member on watch shall remain within hearing distance of the telephone and radio. The member shall be positioned so as to keep the apparatus floor under surveillance at all times and approach any visitor entering the station to ascertain the nature of their business. Policy Manual Subject: KCFD RULES AND REGULATIONS Effective Date: 2-14-05 FDR&R Applies to: ALL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Supersedes: POLICY DATED 8/1/99 Page 9 of 14 Members on watch shall not leave their post until properly relieved or with permission of their company officer. The captain of the station number pumper shall be in charge of the station, i.e., P17 for Station 17; an exception would be P9 for Station 7. 3.28 Company officers shall be held responsible to ensure that appropriate reports for all Department activities, inspections, fires, emergency responses, injuries, damage and loss, absence, special activity, equipment status, roll call, disciplinary action, public relations, and related activities that occurred on their shift be filled out and forwarded through Department channels by the close of their shift, unless the incident has been concluded within the last hour of the shift. For these incidents the reports may be filled out and forwarded through channels the next work day. 3.29 Chief and Company Officers shall arrange, conduct, and attend drills and training periods involving all Department personnel consistent with Department procedures to maintain efficiency. All personnel shall complete and submit the in-service training packets in the time allotted by the Fire Academy. 3.30 The flag of the United States shall be display at the top of the staffs at company quarters from 0700 - 1800 each day of the week, weather permitting, from April 1 through November 1. It shall be displayed in a like manner from 0700 - 1700 for the balance of the year. Other display of the flag will be regulated over the Fire Communications system or by other communications. 3.31 Battalion Chiefs/Division Heads shall have full control over the movement of their fire companies, unless a fire company is dispatched to an emergency call by the Fire Communication Center as it applies to tactical resource feasibility. The fire company shall notify the dispatcher of their status and destination. 3.32 Watching television or playing games will be at the Company Officer's discretion. Televisions and radios will not be played loudly after 2230 hours. 3.33 Company Officers shall be directly responsible for the proper care and cleaning of stations, apparatus, and equipment assigned to them. 3.34 All members shall be in their Class B uniform at 1000 hours until ready time, unless they have the approval of the Battalion Chief/division Head. Company Officers will view their personnel at 1000 hours to ensure they are in proper uniform and present a clean and neat appearance. Company Officers will be held responsible for the enforcement of this rule. Policy Manual Subject: KCFD RULES AND REGULATIONS Effective Date: 2-14-05 FDR&R Applies to: ALL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Supersedes: POLICY DATED 8/1/99 Page 10 of 14 4.0 Safety Rules and Regulations 4.1 Every employee shall be consciously alert to the hazards of his/her job, avoid unsafe acts and warn others seen performing unsafe acts. 4.2 All employees shall report all accidents and injuries immediately to their immediate supervisor, no matter how slight. 4.3 All employees shall be responsible for keeping all assigned safety equipment readily available, clean, and in good condition. 4.4 Supervisors shall be responsible for teaching and enforcing safe work practices. 4.5 No employee shall operate any City owned vehicle or City insured vehicle without possessing a valid Missouri operator or chauffeur's license, or without proper authorization. 4.6 Seat belts shall be worn when operating or riding in any City owned vehicle. 4.7 Every vehicular accident shall be reported to the Fire Communications Center, Police Department, proper Fire Department Officials and other necessary City Officials. 4.8 All officers and members shall wear all issued protective clothing and equipment while working within 50 feet of an incident unless the Incident Commander has established another distance. Protective clothing and equipment may only be removed on orders of the Incident Commander. All officers are responsible for enforcement of the mandatory donning procedures. Full protective clothing and equipment is defined as: helmet, protective hood, fire coat, bunker pants, boots, gloves, and SCBA. 4.9 No member shall alter or remove any part of issued protective clothing. Only issued protective clothing or protective clothing meeting the same specifications, as all Fire Department members shall wear the issued protective clothing. 4.10 Protective clothing and equipment shall not be donned on a moving apparatus at any time. 4.11 When the alarm sounds, all members shall proceed to their designated position on the apparatus at a walk. 4.12 When responding to an alarm, no vehicle shall move until all personnel are in position with full protective equipment on, except SCBA, and seat belts fastened. SCBA's will be donned after arrival at the scene. 4.13 The driver is responsible for his/her actions and the safety of the passengers. Unless all lanes can be accounted for by the driver during an emergency response, all Fire Department vehicles shall come to a complete stop at all red light intersections and negative right of way situations. 4.14 It shall be the Captain's responsibility and in his/her absence the FAO's responsibility to position a firefighter at the left rear of the vehicle when backing the apparatus. Policy Manual Subject: KCFD RULES AND REGULATIONS Effective Date: 2-14-05 FDR&R Applies to: ALL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Supersedes: POLICY DATED 8/1/99 Page 11 of 14 4.15 During an emergency response, Fire Department vehicles shall not pass another responding emergency vehicle. All responding vehicles shall maintain a safe distance apart. 4.16 When responding to an emergency, drivers may exceed the posted speed limit, but shall be regulated at all times by road, weather, and traffic conditions. It shall be the Captain's responsibility to ensure the safe operation of the apparatus. 4.17 Three (3) long blasts from an air horn or siren shall be used as a signal for all personnel to immediately evacuate a fire building or other incident scene to a safe distance as determined by the Incident Commander. Policy Manual Subject: KCFD RULES AND REGULATIONS Effective Date: 2-14-05 FDR&R Applies to: ALL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Supersedes: POLICY DATED 8/1/99 Page 12 of 14 5.0 Fire Academy Rules and Regulations 5.1 All companies assigned to the Academy for training shall report 10 minutes prior to class time. 5.2 Uniform shall be Class B unless otherwise notified. 5.3 All Company Officers shall "sign in" at the office on arrival and "sign out" when leaving the Academy. 5.4 The Chief of Training shall have complete authority over all members while at the Fire Academy for training. 5.5 All instructions and orders from drill instructors shall have the same authority as from the Chief of Training. 5.6 Companies leaving the Fire Academy or repair shop shall immediately return to their district unless they need to stop and get fuel for their apparatus. Policy Manual Subject: KCFD RULES AND REGULATIONS Effective Date: 2-14-05 FDR&R Applies to: ALL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Supersedes: POLICY DATED 8/1/99 Page 13 of 14 6.0 Fire Alarm - Rules and Regulations 6.1 Companies questioning a directive by or harboring a complaint pertaining to Fire Communications policies or procedures shall notify their Battalion Chief/Division Head. At no time will Company Officers or persons in their charge complain to or harass the dispatchers directly. 6.2 Orders pertaining to the dispatching of apparatus to emergencies or fill-in's from the Fire Communications Center shall have the same authority as from the Director/Fire Chief. 6.3 Radio transmissions shall be made in a concise, businesslike manner. Personal remarks or messages will not be allowed. 6.4 Initial reports shall be made by the first arriving Company Officer and then a follow-up by the first arriving Battalion Chief/Division Head. It shall be the Incident Commander's responsibility to keep the Fire Communication Center informed of the progress of the incident. 6.5 The last unit and only the last unit leaving a station on a response shall clear the station for the dispatcher to close the doors. State the station number clearly and if there is any doubt on the dispatcher’s part they will ask the company to repeat the station number. 6.6 When the Fire Communication Center becomes extremely busy with alarms during non-ready time, the Chief Dispatcher may sound the three (3) short alert tones and announce, "minimize radio traffic". At this point, all routine radio traffic will cease and companies will open and close their own doors except companies filling in at another station until the Chief Dispatcher sounds the three (3) short alert tones and announces "normal radio traffic may resume". 6.7 Companies shall be dispatched to emergencies and non-emergencies by and through the Fire Communications Center. Companies must keep the Communication Center notified as to destination, mission and status and the location from which they are responding at all times. Policy Manual Subject: KCFD RULES AND REGULATIONS Effective Date: 2-14-05 FDR&R Applies to: ALL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Supersedes: POLICY DATED 8/1/99 Page 14 of 14 7.0 Fire Prevention Division - Rules and Regulations 7.1 At any suspicious fire or a fire resulting in injuries or death, no debris shall be moved, unless necessary to extinguish the fire. The on duty fire investigator will be dispatched to the scene. The investigator will request the Police Arson unit to respond. The scene shall remain secure, and the investigation will proceed only upon the arrival of the police arson unit. Debris removal will only continue upon the direction of the Police arson unit. 7.2 Any officer requesting a fire investigator to respond shall remain on the scene or designate a fire company to remain on the scene until the arrival of the fire investigator. 7.3 Only a fire investigator or other official of the Bureau of Fire Prevention shall have the authority to call for Police Arson. 7.4 Any Fire Department Officer who shuts down or observes a shut down of a sprinkler or fire alarm system shall notify Communications which in turn will contact the on duty investigator. If no investigator is on duty the Fire Marshal or Assistant Fire Marshal on call will be notified immediately. 7.5 No Fire Department member shall re-set any fire alarm system or sprinkler system.