SNFO 09 Flag-Badge Etiquette Procedures.pdf

Southern Nevada Fire Operations (SNFO) STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES GENERAL Effective date: Supersedes: FLAG / BADGE ETIQUETTE PROCEDURES 06-20-12 N/A SOP# SNFO-09 Page 1 of 4 PURPOSE This procedure applies to all Fire Department entities and fire department personnel within Clark County, Nevad...

Southern Nevada Fire Operations (SNFO) STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES GENERAL Effective date: Supersedes: FLAG / BADGE ETIQUETTE PROCEDURES 06-20-12 N/A SOP# SNFO-09 Page 1 of 4 PURPOSE This procedure applies to all Fire Department entities and fire department personnel within Clark County, Nevada. PROCEDURE General rules for respectful display and care of flags. 1. General Flag Procedures A. Display 1. Display flags from sunrise ‘til sunset, unless the flags are illuminated, they may then be displayed twenty-four (24) hours a day. 2. Do not fly a flag during inclement weather or when damage may occur to it, such as high winds. 3. No other flag should be displayed higher than the Flag of the United States of America. a. When two (2) or more flags are displayed on poles of similar height, the flag of the United States of America should be on its own, on the right. For example: i. When flags are posted on either side of a person speaking. The American Flag shall be at the speaker’s right, the audience’s left. ii. All other flags shall be at the speaker’s left, the audience’s right. 4. When hoisting multiple flags, the Flag of the United States of America shall be hoisted first and lowered last. 5. The union of the Flag of the United States of America shall always be in the upper left hand side as viewed from the public, whether the flag is flown horizontally or vertically. a. The union is the blue field with 50 stars. B. Respect For Flags No disrespect shall be shown to the Flag of the United States of America. It shall not be dipped to any person or thing. Flags of states and other organizations shall be dipped in respect to the Flag of the United States of America. 1. A flag shall never be displayed with the union down, except in time of extreme emergency. 2. A flag should not touch anything beneath it such as ground or water. 6-20-2012 JL/kbh Southern Nevada Fire Operations (SNFO) STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES GENERAL Effective date: Supersedes: FLAG / BADGE ETIQUETTE PROCEDURES 06-20-12 N/A SOP# SNFO-09 Page 2 of 4 C. Disposal 1. When a flag is in such condition as it is no longer appropriate for display, it shall be taken down, folded, and given to a member of the Honor Guard for appropriate disposal. 2. Flag Procedures in a Time of Mourning A. Flag at Half-Staff 1. When a flag is lowered to half-staff, it should be hoisted all the way for a brief moment and then lowered to half-staff. 2. Also, when only one flag pole is present and it is deemed appropriate to fly the American Flag of the United States at half-staff, no other flags should be flown on the same flag pole. B. Ordering of the Flags to Half-Staff 1. The Fire Chief or his designee will order the lowering of flags to half-staff as outlined in this policy when the death of a member of the fire service or public safety community occurs. 3. Line of Duty Death A. Line of Duty - Affected Entity 1. In the event of a Line of Duty Death that involves a member of your Fire Department: The flags at the fire stations will be lowered to half-staff and will remain from the announcement of the death until the day following the funeral. 2. Badges will be shrouded for 30 days following the announcement. 3. Full Honors Funeral Services. A. All entities may provide at least one piece of apparatus and personnel to support funeral procession and services. B. Line of Duty - All Other Fire Departments 1. In the event of a Line of Duty Death that involves a member of another fire department, within Clark County only, this is to include federal and state entities, i.e., BLM, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Game, and Nevada Division of Forestry. 2. The flags at the fire stations will be lowered to half-staff and will remain from the announcement of the death until the day following the funeral. 3. Badges will be shrouded from the announcement until the day following the funeral. 6-20-2012 JL/kbh Southern Nevada Fire Operations (SNFO) STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES GENERAL Effective date: Supersedes: FLAG / BADGE ETIQUETTE PROCEDURES 06-20-12 N/A SOP# SNFO-09 Page 3 of 4 4. Full Honors Funeral Services. i. All entities may provide at least one piece of apparatus and personnel to support funeral procession and services. C. Line of Duty – Retired 1. In the event of a Line of Duty Death of a retired member of any Fire Department, within Clark County only, the flags at the fire stations will be lowered to half-staff and will remain from the announcement of the death until the day following the funeral. 2. Badges will be shrouded from the announcement until the day following the funeral. 3. All entities may provide at least one piece of apparatus and personnel to support funeral procession and services. D. Line of Duty – Non Fire Service Personnel 1. In the event of a Line of Duty Death of non-fire service personnel, which includes but is not limited to other public safety personnel, i.e., police officers, helicopter crew members, private ambulance personnel, U.S. Fish and Game, etc., within Clark County only, the flags at the fire stations will be lowered to half-staff and will remain from the announcement of the death until the day following the funeral. 2. Badges will be shrouded from the announcement until the day following the funeral. 3. All entities may provide at least one piece of apparatus and personnel to support funeral procession and services. 4. Non-Line of Duty A. Non-Line of Duty – Active Member, Your Department 1. In the case of a NON-Line of Duty Death that involves an active member of any fire department within Clark County only, for the affected department, the flags at all fire stations will be lowered to half-staff, and will remain from the announcement of the death until the day following the funeral. 2. Badges will be shrouded from the announcement until the day following the funeral. 3. All entities may provide at least one piece of apparatus and personnel to support funeral procession and services. B. Non-Line of Duty – Active Member, another Department 1. In the event of a NON-Line of Duty Death that involves an active member of another fire department, within Clark County only, flags at the fire stations will be lowered to half-staff the day of the funeral only. 2. Badges will be shrouded the day of the funeral only. 6-20-2012 JL/kbh Southern Nevada Fire Operations (SNFO) STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES GENERAL Effective date: Supersedes: FLAG / BADGE ETIQUETTE PROCEDURES 06-20-12 N/A SOP# SNFO-09 Page 4 of 4 3. All entities may provide at least one piece of apparatus and personnel to support funeral services. C. Non-Line of Duty – Inactive, Retired Member 1. In the case of a NON-Line of Duty Death that involves a retired member of any fire department, within Clark County only, flags will remain at full staff. 2. Badges will be shrouded only by fire department personnel attending the funeral services. 3. All entities may provide at least one piece of apparatus and personnel to support funeral services, as requested by family and sponsoring agency. 5. Definitions: A. The death of any member of the Fire Department while on duty, or while undergoing medical treatment for injuries resulting from such duty, is considered a Line of Duty Death. For the purpose of the flag/badge etiquette procedure, this also includes the death of a fire department member while engaged in firefighting or EMS activities while off duty. B. To avoid being selective or discriminatory concerning which incidents to choose from, fire service or public safety personnel deaths outside of Clark County will not be acknowledged by the lowering of flags or shrouding of badges. C. If a special circumstance does arise, Fire Chiefs of all local departments will come to consensus on an appropriate and consistent procedure for that incident. This is not intended to preclude departments from expressing condolences through other methods. D. Badge Shrouding: Badges will be shrouded horizontally "▬", straight across the middle of the badge. 6-20-2012 JL/kbh