Spring Fire Department Policies & Procedures - Attention to Duty - SFD.037 - 2022 PDF

Manual Name: Spring Fire Department Policies & Procedures Document Title: Attention to Duty Chief’s Signature: Document Number: SFD.037 Date: 08/22/2022 Revision Number: 02 PURPOSE The Department shall define general rules of attention to duty for all Personnel of the Department. Personnel must be...

Manual Name: Spring Fire Department Policies & Procedures Document Title: Attention to Duty Chief’s Signature: Document Number: SFD.037 Date: 08/22/2022 Revision Number: 02 PURPOSE The Department shall define general rules of attention to duty for all Personnel of the Department. Personnel must be prepared and able to offer services, often in difficult circumstances. General rules of attention to duty are necessary to maintain good working order within the Department and all personnel shall abide by these rules. Violation of these rules of conduct by anyone, regardless of rank, may be sufficient cause for disciplinary action up to and including termination. These general rules are to coincide with written policies of Spring Fire Department, whereas, specifically written policies will take precedence. SCOPE All Spring Fire Department personnel are responsible for knowing and complying with this procedure. REVIEW The Fire Chief or designee is responsible for reviewing this guideline annually and assuring its accuracy. GUIDELINE Attention to Duty: 1. Duty to Render Assistance: Personnel shall be attentive to and take suitable action to the best of their ability on requests for assistance from the public. If necessary, Personnel shall summon additional aid through the dispatcher, providing information as needed. 2. Safety: Personnel shall use reasonable precautions and safety measures to reduce the risk of injury or accident to themselves, the public, other Personnel and to property. 3. Duty to Act on Complaints: Personnel shall be attentive to and take suitable action on the complaints of the public. Personnel shall fulfill proper requests for information or assistance. Personnel should not shirk or avoid responsibility or imply lack of attention to complaints. No matter how trivial the request may seem, all personnel shall thank the citizen for bringing the matter to his/her attention and forward it his/her immediate supervisor for further action. If possible, complaints should be resolved at the station level or, if necessary, directed through the proper chain of command. 4. Seeking Advice: Personnel who are unsure about the nature of an assignment or appropriate course of action shall seek information, direction, or clarification from their immediate supervisor. 5. Company Training: Personnel shall be responsible for learning the skills necessary to complete their assignments safely and effectively as a Personnel of a team. Training classes on all phases of Department activities, as required, will be coordinated by the Page 1 of 3 Manual Name: Spring Fire Department Policies & Procedures Document Title: Attention to Duty Document Number: SFD.037 Date: Revision Number: 02 training division, and conducted by station officers, personnel, chief officers, or qualified representatives from outside agencies. 6. CPR Certification: Personnel shall maintain current certification in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from the American Heart Association. 7. Volunteer Firefighter Certifications: Volunteer Personnel shall maintain a firefighter certification through the State Fireman's and Fire Marshal's Association. Volunteer personnel should strive to obtain higher levels of certifications from the State Fireman’s and Fire Marshal’s Association or the Texas Commission on Fire Protection as well as the Texas Department of State Health Services. 8. Employed Firefighter Certifications: Employed firefighters shall maintain their Basic Structural Firefighter certification or higher from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP). The employee must also maintain an Emergency Medical Technician or higher from the Texas Department of State Health Services and must comply with all associated continuing education requirements for all certifications. 9. Territory: Personnel shall have knowledge of the streets, block numbers, hydrant locations and target hazards in their districts. When responding to an alarm, personnel shall use the most direct route, considering traffic and street conditions at the time. 10. Acting in Higher Position: Personnel shall qualify themselves through training and observation for the next higher rank or position, so they may assume such duties and responsibilities in emergencies or as needed. 11. In the Absence of Designated Officers: In the absence of any officer designated to perform certain duties, his/her immediate junior shall perform those duties. In emergencies and absence of any officer, the most senior Personnel shall act as officer. 12. Driver's License, Vehicle Registration, and Insurance: Personnel shall have a valid driver's license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Personnel shall immediately notify in writing to their immediate supervisor if their driver's license is, for any reason, suspended or revoked. Personnel shall have current vehicle registration and insurance coverage on personally owned vehicle(s). 13. Change in Personal Information: Personnel shall immediately notify Human Resources and their immediate supervisor of any change in personal information -address, telephone number, certification level, etc. A telephone number must be provided where they can be reached in a time of need. All information shall be documented accordingly in software accessible by administrative personnel and command staff. 14. Identification: Personnel shall carry a current Spring Fire Department I.D. card for identification as an employee/volunteer of the Department. Personnel shall not carry the department badge in their pocket, wallet, or by other means as a form of identification. On emergency responses, personnel shall wear department issued gear, such as bunker gear, dress uniform or department duty uniform to readily identify themselves. Page 2 of 3 Manual Name: Spring Fire Department Policies & Procedures Document Title: Attention to Duty Document Number: SFD.037 Date: Revision Number: 02 15. Reporting Injuries: Personnel shall notify their immediate supervisor as soon as possible of any injury sustained while on duty, no matter how slight. A first report of injury form shall be completed and turned into Human Resources no less than 24 hours after the incident. A Chief Officer and Human Resources shall be contacted anytime an injury results in transport to the hospital or requires a higher level of medical attention. Refer to SFD.061 Occupational Injury/Illness Policy. 16. Communicable Disease, Drug Use, or Intoxication: Personnel knowing or suspecting another of having a communicable disease, using any drugs not prescribed by a physician, being intoxicated while on duty or engaging in unconventional activities shall report such activity to their immediate supervisor and Human Recourses. Human Resources will make proper notification to pertinent supervisors while maintaining HIPPA protections. Personnel who feel they may have been exposed to a communicable disease shall notify their immediate supervisor, District Chief and Human Resources as soon as possible. 17. Testifying in Departmental Investigations: Personnel shall answer questions and/or provide statements and/or material relevant to any departmental investigation when directed to do so by a superior officer or supervisor. 18. Subpoena, Department-related Business: Personnel summoned, or requested to appear in court, or to make a statement because of their knowledge of occurrences that may affect the Department shall immediately notify their District Chief who will notify the Fire Chief. Personnel subpoenaed to testify on Department-related business shall appear in dress uniform, neat in appearance and in accordance with Department rules. 19. Lawsuits, Department-related Business: Personnel who has had a damage suit filed against him/her by reason of an act performed in the line of duty shall immediately notify their District Chief who will notify the Fire Chief. He/she shall immediately furnish a copy of the complaint, together with a complete and accurate account of the circumstances in question to their District Chief and the Fire Chief. 20. Saluting: Personnel shall salute the National Colors and the National Anthem with the hand salute while in uniform. When not in uniform, personnel shall stand at attention and remove headgear as the National Colors pass. 21. Relieved of Duty: Personnel may be relieved of duty by a supervisor or any superior officer under circumstances of emergency -- such as intoxication, willful refusal to obey orders or other behavior that may cause the best interest of the Department to suffer by them remaining on duty. Human Resources shall be notified immediately of such actions. Such actions shall be supported by a written complaint through the chain of command and, forwarded to Human Resources for investigation. Page 3 of 3