Rules of Conduct
Larry Suniga, Fire Chief
GUIDELINE: #001
DATE: May 18, 2005
REVISED: May 19, 2005
PURPOSE:
1.1. The specific rules and regulations contained in this policy and procedure are intended to support both the Department Mission Statement and the Emergency Services Board.
1.2. Personnel Policies, and/or administrative policies ESB have precedence over any provisions contained in these departmental rules and regulations where conflicts occur.
1.3. All members of the Kemah Fire Department will be provided a copy of these rules and regulations through computer access, and it is their responsibility to be completely familiar with the contents. These rules and regulations will be reviewed periodically for necessary revisions.
1.4. These rules and regulations cannot, nor are they expected to, provide a solution to every question or problem that may arise in an organization designed and established to render emergency services. They are not designed, nor intended, to limit any member in the exercising of his/her judgment or initiative in taking the action that a reasonable person would take in extraordinary situations that are bound to arise in the fire service.
1.5. All members of the Kemah Fire Department shall be held accountable for their actions and be subject to disciplinary action ranging from counseling to dismissal, according to the nature and degree of the offense, for any violation of these rules and regulations.
RULES OF CONDUCT:
1.6. All members shall direct their efforts towards fulfilling the mission of the Kemah Fire Department. The following list of articles represents the personal conduct standards required of each member to fulfill that mission.
1.7. Every member is expected to conduct himself or herself in a highly self-disciplined manner and is responsible for regulating his or her conduct in a positive, cooperative, and mature manner.
1.8. All members, while on-duty, shall devote their entire time and attention to the service of the Fire Department. They shall attend all emergency incidents to which they may be assigned and perform duties as ordered by a supervisor.
1.9. All members shall abide by policies and procedures and written directives of both the Kemah Fire Department and the Emergency Service Board.
1.10. Members shall participate in all Department training activities as directed, be thoroughly familiar with all equipment they may be required to use in performance of their duties, and perform related work as required.
1.11. Members shall not engage in activities that are detrimental to themselves or the Kemah Fire Department.
1.12. Members shall not use alcoholic beverages, drugs, or substances which impair physical and/or mental capacity prior to or while on duty.
1.13. Members reporting for duty under the influence of any medication, prescription or non-prescription, that may impede mental or physical reaction must report that information to their supervisor.
1.14. Members shall work competently in their positions to cause all Department programs to operate effectively.
1.15. Members shall use their training and capabilities to protect the public at all times, both on and off duty.
1.16. Members shall be on time for duty or special assignments.
1.17. Members shall be held personally responsible for all Kemah Fire Department property issued to them. Any property that may be lost or damaged through abuse, carelessness, or neglect may be replaced at the expense of the member to whom it was issued.
1.18. No advertising matter, posters, private notices, or other disfigurements shall be posted or permitted without the Kemah Fire Departmental approval. No article shall be displayed on Department premises for public sale.
1.19. Members shall not leave their place of duty without permission of their supervisor and shall report to said officer immediately upon their return.
1.20. When any member is assigned to a fill-in position, he/she shall exercise the full authority and responsibility of that position.
1.21. All members will treat as confidential the official business of the Kemah Fire Department. They shall not impart or discuss with anyone any matters concerning the department or its members, except to officers of the Department or under process of law.
1.22. No member shall make any purchase or incur any liability in the name of the Kemah Fire Department without permission of the Fire Chief.
1.23. No member shall receive any fee nor solicit, demand, or suggest from any person or persons pay for services rendered in the performance of duty, except their salary, stipend or pension as paid by the Cities or Emergency Services Board.
1.24. Members are encouraged to participate in all fire department activities.
1.25. All members reporting for duty or training, and while on-duty will be clean-shaven and neatly dressed in a proper and well-maintained uniform.
1.26. All members shall insure the cleanliness of the fire station to which they are assigned.
1.27. All members are encouraged to communicate with one another as to activities, suggestions, problems, and status of fire department equipment that will ensure efficient operations.
1.28. Members shall not engage in any sexual activity while on duty.
1.29. All members shall keep themselves physically fit.
1.30. Members will not knowingly falsify any Kemah Fire Department record.
1.31. No member shall remove, damage, or tamper with another member's personal property or the property of the Kemah Fire Department.
1.32. No member shall display discriminatory or abusive behavior pertaining to politics, sex, religion, age, or ethnicity while on duty or on Kemah Fire Department premises.
1.33. Sexual harassment and sexual discrimination is prohibited. Actions, remarks or any outward display that is derogatory or discriminatory against any race or disability is prohibited.
1.34. The carrying or possessing of weapons, firearms or ammunition on or within Kemah Fire Department property, facilities or equipment, at any time is specifically prohibited. (Law enforcement officers on duty are exempt from this article.)
1.35. All members and their passengers when driving or riding in a Fire Department vehicle will wear seat belts.