SECTION 3-0 CODE OF CONDUCT
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to outline the Code of Conduct that the <INSERT YOUR NAME> District, its Board of Trustees, Employees and/or Members shall adhere to.
1. As a basic condition of employment, all employee/members have an obligation to conduct their official duties in a manner that serves the public interest, upholds the public trust, and protects the District's resources. It shall be the policy of the <INSERT YOUR NAME> Protection District to ensure that employee/member(s) perform the duties delegated to them in the manner prescribed by law, ordinance, or by the rules and regulations contained in District SOPs. To this end, all employee/member(s) have the responsibility to govern themselves and their co-workers by the following:
A. Demonstrate honesty, integrity, and ethical behavior in the conducting of all District business.
B. Perform their duties to the very best of their abilities and in a manner that is efficient, cost-effective, and meets the needs of the public.
C. Every fire District employee/member is required to maintain a working knowledge of State Law, City Ordinance, rules, regulations, and/or directives of the Fire District. In the event of improper actions, it will be presumed that the individual was familiar with the law or directive in question.
1) Obedience to laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, directives and orders.
a. All fire District employee/members shall obey all laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and directives of the District.
b. All fire District employee/members shall perform their duties as required or directed by laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, directives or by order of a supervisor.
c. All lawful duties required by competent authority shall be performed as directed, notwithstanding the general assignment of duties and responsibilities.
d. Employee/members shall not publicly criticize instructions or orders they have received.
e. Supervisors shall not knowingly issue an order that is in violation of any law, ordinance, rule, regulation, or District directive.
f. Employee/members who are given orders they feel to be unjust or contrary to District directives shall first advise the supervisor that the order may be unjust or contrary to District directives. If the order is not withdrawn, the employee/member will comply with the order to the best of their ability and then may appeal the order as indicated in paragraph j, below.
g. Obedience to an unlawful order is never a defense for an unlawful action; therefore, no employee/member is required to obey any order which is contrary to Federal, State, or local Law/ordinance. Responsibility for refusal to obey the order rests with the employee/member, who shall be strictly required to justify their action(s).
h. Upon receipt of an order conflicting with any previous order(s) or instructions, the employee/member affected will advise the person issuing the order of this fact. Responsibility for countermanding the original instruction then rests with the individual issuing the second order. If so directed, the latter command shall be obeyed first. Orders will be countermanded or conflicting orders will be issued only when reasonably necessary for the good of the District.
i. Orders from a supervisor will be reasonable and in a clear and understandable language and must pertain to District business.
j. An employee/member receiving an unjust or improper order shall, at first opportunity, report the details in writing to a Chief of the District through the chain of command. This report shall contain the facts of the incident, and actions taken. The Chief of the District or his designee may conduct additional District investigation(s) regarding the order given.
k. Failure or deliberate refusal of any employee/member to obey lawful orders given by a supervisor shall be deemed insubordination.
l. Employee/members shall not deride a supervisor’s order, whether in or out of their presence.
D. Ensure that personal interests do not come in conflict with official duties and avoid both actual conflicts of interest and the appearance of conflicts of interest when dealing with vendors, customers, and other individuals doing business or seeking to do business with the District.
1) Except as may be specifically authorized by the District Fire Chief or his designee, for use in a special function or unit within the District; employee/members shall not solicit any gift, gratuity, loan, or fee from the public where there is any direct or indirect relationship between such solicitation and their obligations to provide prompt and fair service by the District.
2) Except as may be specifically authorized by the District Fire Chief or his designee; employee/members shall not accept either directly or indirectly any gift, gratuity, loan, fee, or other things of value arising from or offered because of any Fire District activity connected with the employee/member.
3) Employee/members shall not accept any gift, gratuity, loan, fee or other things of value, the acceptance of which might tend to influence directly or indirectly the actions of the employee/member in any matter of Fire District business, or in which might tend to cast an adverse reflection on the District.
4) Except as may be specifically authorized by the District Fire Chief or his designee; employee/members shall not accept any gift, gratuity, or reward in money or other consideration for services rendered in the line of duty from any person, business, or agency in the community.
5) Employee/members shall not solicit any gift, gratuity, loan or fee from the public for any other person where there is any direct or indirect relationship between such solicitation and their District obligations.
E. Ensure that all District resources, including funds, equipment, vehicles, and other property, are used in strict compliance with District policies and solely for the benefit of the District.
1) The distribution or posting of written or printed District matters in public access shall be by approval of the District Fire Chief or his designee.
2) A supervisor must approve all material posted within the Fire District with the exception of the bulletin board at Fire Station One.
3) Posted material will not be marked on or defaced, with the exception of a date, draft, or other District stamp.
4) Employee/members shall not knowingly falsify an official report or knowingly enter or cause to be entered any inaccurate, false, or improper information on the books, records, or registers of the District.
F. Conduct all dealings with the public, employee/member(s), and other organizations in a manner that presents a courteous, professional, and service-oriented image of the District.
G. Treat the public and District employee/member(s) fairly and equitably.
1) Employee/members shall treat the public, District personnel, and the employee/members of other organizations fairly and equitably, without regard to age, color, disability, ethnicity, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any other factor unrelated to the District’s business.
2) Employee/members shall treat supervisors, peers, and subordinate employee/members with respect.
3) When on duty, uniformed personnel shall be referred to by their rank.
4) Employee/members shall not use coarse, profane, or insolent language toward other District employee/members or the public.
5) Employee/members will conduct themselves in such a manner so as not to bring discredit upon themselves or the District.
H. Avoid any behavior that could fall under the definition of misconduct as outlined by the Executive Branch Code of Ethics under KRS Chapter 11A.
I. Prohibited activities/conditions while on duty:
1) Purchasing, consuming, or being under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.
2) Bringing into or onto Fire District property or consuming in or on Fire District property, any intoxicating alcohol or controlled substance.
3) Using prescribed medication that would adversely affect body motor movements, reaction time or judgment.
4) Use of tobacco products are prohibited when acting in an official capacity, in direct contact or view of the public.
5) Being unavailable to respond to calls without reason or permission.
6) Failing to turn in or complete District reports when required.
7) Leaving their assigned duty station without reason or permission from their supervisor.
8) Reporting late for duty, unless authorized by their supervisor.
J. Security
1) Employee/members shall not enter any office, desk, locker, or room without the authority from the occupant or the District Fire Chief or his designee.
2) Employee/members shall not discuss any incident with non-District personnel without supervisory approval and then only with that person having a right or a need to know.
3) Employee/members shall not discuss any proposed plan, procedure or project with unauthorized personnel without supervisory approval.
4) Fire employee/members who have information regarding an incident that was responded to may discuss only the portions that are not governed by confidentiality laws. Those portions covered by confidentiality may be discussed only with supervisor approval and only with those with a right or need to know.
5) Employee/members shall not give out other employee/member’s telephone number(s) or address to the general public. The District Fire Chief or designee may release this information to other agencies for official purposes only.
6) Employee/members shall not remove District files (paper or electronic) from District premises unless authorized by a supervisor or by court order.
K. Report for duty at the appointed time and place fully equipped, fit, and able to perform assignments.
L. Uniforms, equipment, and personal appearance.
1) Uniformed employee/members of the District shall maintain their regulation uniforms in good order.
2) All articles of the uniform shall conform to the District’s uniform regulations.
3) Uniformed personnel will comply with directives governing dress and equipment.
4) Civilian clothes may be worn if authorized by the District Fire Chief or his designee..
5) Uniforms shall be kept neat, clean, and well pressed.
6) While wearing the uniform, employee/members shall maintain a military bearing.
7) Employee/members shall not wear uniforms, shirts, hats, jackets, or other paraphernalia while under suspension.
7) Former employee/members shall not wear uniforms, shirts, hats, jackets, or other paraphernalia without the express permission from the District Fire Chief or his designee.
8) Uniforms will be disposed of through a District process, as approved by the District Fire Chief or his designee.
M. Minor Infractions
1) Employee/members who violate infractions listed in “3” (below) may be recommended for disciplinary action. These infractions do not require a complaint register entry or a subsequent detailed investigation, unless requested by the District Fire Chief.
2) Any supervisor may impose immediate corrective measures. When repeated violations occur, an internal investigation may be initiated.
3) The infractions covered in this provision include, but are not limited to, the following:
a) Tardiness in reporting for duty.
B) Insubordination to a superior.
c) Failure to shave or maintain a proper haircut.
d) Failure to keep uniforms clean, pressed, and repaired.
e) Failure to wear proper badges, nameplates, shoulder patches or other insignia.
f) Failure to keep clothing properly buttoned.
g) Failure to keep shoes/boots clean and in good repair.
h) Failure to wear and maintain personal protective equipment.
i) Failure to provide prompt and courteous service.
j) Taking excessive time off while on duty.
k) Failure to remain in assigned work area unless properly relieved or authorized to leave by a supervisor.
m) Reporting unfit for duty for reasons that would justify action under provisions of this order.
2. Officers and supervisors shall set an example for other members and have a responsibility to ensure that their activities and decisions pertaining to community services, personnel actions, and the management of public funds are consistent with the District's policies and practices.
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