Code of Ethics

Purpose

The Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District is responsible for the protection of life and property, and for the prevention of loss through education, inspection, and cooperation within the community. It is recognized that the high standards and success of the District are dependent, to a significant degree, upon the loyalty, integrity, and conscientious discharge of duty by all members.

It is the policy of the Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District to set forth Rules and Regulations which give personnel equal opportunity to work in an orderly, coordinated effort to achieve goals and objectives of the District, and to discharge their duties under both routine and emergency conditions.

The Rules and Regulations set forth in this Policy, Procedure, and Instruction (P.P.I.) as well as those in other P.P.I.’s, are designed to serve as the Fire District Policy instrument of guidance for effective and constructive action. Rules and Regulations of Conduct are developed to provide a guideline for the District to follow to avoid unjust or unfounded public criticism. Conversely, they are developed to protect the recipients of our professional services from any infractions of these Rules and Regulations. Adherence to the Rules of Conduct will allow the District to function professionally and provide quality service. An additional benefit of clearly defined Rules and Regulations will be consistency of Fire District service.

These Rules do not provide a solution to every problem or condition that might confront an organization established to render emergency and safety services. It is expected, however, that they will be sufficiently comprehensive in providing a general guide to the duties and obligations of a member of the District.

Scope

These Rules and Regulations shall be applicable to all District personnel.

Responsibility

These Rules and Regulations shall apply to all District personnel. It shall be the responsibility of each District member to become familiar with the Rules and Regulations set forth herein, and such amendments thereto, as they are published. These Rules and Regulations are specifically for the Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District.

Procedure

Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District members are required to conduct themselves in a highly disciplined manner, obeying Fire District Operating Procedures, and Rules and Regulations of Conduct.

In situations where members do not adhere to these expectations, officers will take
the necessary actions to correct the problem.

It is the policy of the Fire District that officers administer discipline in a corrective, progressive, and lawful manner.

  1. Corrective in the sense that the officer comes to an understanding about the causes and/or reasons for a members deficiencies, corrects those deficiencies, and restores the member to a productive and positive employment status.
  2. Progressive in that discipline will normally begin with a verbal reprimand or warning; and, when circumstances of separate or related incidents warrant, proceed to written reprimand(s), suspension, demotion, and finally to dismissal. An incident of misconduct may require any of these forms of disciplinary action whether or not a lesser form has preceded the action. This would depend upon the severity of the offense.
  3. Lawful in that discipline and the procedure by which it is administered does not violate District Rules of Conduct, the Firefighters’ Association Contract, Administrative Rules and Regulations, the District Operational Guidelines, or the members’ Constitutional Rights.

The principal objective of disciplinary action is to improve (or correct) performance, efficiency, and morale of the member receiving discipline as well as that of the District. Disciplinary proceedings and the results thereof are CONFIDENTIAL. The officer is responsible for maintaining confidentiality.

Ignorance of these Rules of Conduct will not constitute an acceptable excuse for its violation.

Rules of Conduct:

The following Rules of Conduct are to be followed by all members:

  1. It shall be the duty of all members to be courteous and respectful in dealing with the public as well as other District members.
  2. While on duty, all members and employees of the Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District shall be subject to the immediate control and management of the Fire Chief.
  3. It shall be the responsibility of every District member, should he/she have knowledge of the violation of any District Rule, Regulation, Order or Directive, to immediately report such violation to the violator, then to their supervisor if not corrected. Safety violations or unlawful acts shall be reported immediately to an officer.
  4. All employees will follow Operation Manuals and written Directives of the Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District. Upon substantiation of charges, said member shall be subject to disciplinary action as outlined. Capricious or malicious charges that are unsubstantiated shall cause the employee preferring the charge to be subject to disciplinary action.
  5. Any case of misconduct, which may result in disciplinary action being taken against a member, shall be reported immediately by telephone, or verbally to the appropriate Officer or the Fire Chief, by the officer initiating the action. If such action may result in disciplinary action, then the employee should be notified that he/she has the right to representation. Such verbal report shall be followed by a written report detailing the facts.
    This report should be made available for the member to read and review. In addition, the member shall be given the opportunity to attach a rebuttal to the complaint.
  6. Officers shall be just, dignified, and firm in dealing with subordinates and shall avoid the use of violent, abusive, or immoderate language in conversations or when giving orders.
  7. The repeated failure or neglect of a member to perform his/her required duties in a prompt and proper manner, will be considered sufficient cause for progressive disciplinary action.
  8. Inefficiency, indifference, or continued chronic complaining of a member that negatively effects the work environment may serve as sufficient cause for disciplinary action.
  9. Conflict of authority shall be strictly avoided. No member shall interfere in matters or operations for which another member of equal rank is responsible, except with the other member’s consent, or by the order of a superior.
  10. All members shall be subject to duties as their officer, the Rules and Regulations, or job descriptions may require.
  11. Members shall remain on-duty until relieved or otherwise directed by their company officer or supervisor.
  12. All alarms shall be responded to in a diligent and legal manner, and in accordance with response assignments, under the direction of the company officer or the duty officer.
  13. All members of the District, regardless of rank or station, and within the jurisdiction of their authority, shall enforce all Rules and Regulations of the District and local laws pertaining to Fire Safety.
  14. While on duty, members shall not indulge in activities that are inconsistent or detrimental to their duties, fellow members, or service with the Fire District.
  15. No member shall neglect or refuse to perform any duty or assignment, or to obey any lawful order of a supervising officer, when said duty, assignments, or order is not in violation of S.O.G.’s or District policy. Orders received that conflict with a prior order of another officer, should be brought to the attention of the originator of the second order, and the member shall be governed by his instructions. The willful neglect or refusal of a member to execute any order or work assignment prescribed by a supervising officer will be deemed insubordination.
  16. Those members who have fatigue from duty because of previous response(s) shall immediately notify their supervisor.
  17. Members shall attempt to maintain a neat and presentable appearance while on duty. This means hats on properly (bills forward), and no modifications to any District, with logo, attire (cut off sleeves, shortening of T-shirts, etc.)
  18. Only authorized apparel may be used with District patches, emblems, badges or ID.
  19. No member shall use the uniform of the District, or any part thereof, or any badge or device, for the purpose of identification as a member of the District to gain entry into any place where an admission fee is ordinarily charged, unless on authorized inspection or other District business. No member shall use their badge or any part of their uniform to avoid consequences of an illegal act.
  20. Members shall not publicly criticize or ridicule the District, if such criticism or ridicule is made with reckless disregard for truth or falsity.
  21. Heated arguments that incite violence between members is prohibited and altercations strictly forbidden. Any act of violence committed against the person of a member, provoked or otherwise, shall be deemed an extremely serious offense and subject the offender to an immediate disciplinary action.
  22. Members shall not use on-duty time or District apparatus or equipment for personal financial gain.
  23. While on duty, public statements relative to the affairs of the Fire District shall be disseminated by the Fire Chief or his/her designee.
  24. No member of the District shall benefit from personal gain of any kind, for services rendered in the discharge of their duties.
  25. No member of the District shall permit non-district persons to ride on any District apparatus without prior approval of the Fire Chief or his/her designee. (Does not include staff cars).
  26. No District employee or member shall solicit or allow his/her name to be used for the purpose of solicitation among citizens, for the benefit of any private company or any other purpose, in connection with his/her job without the prior approval of the Chief of the District.
  27. The loss or breakage of any uniform, badge, books, or other equipment, supplied by or belonging to the District, must be reported promptly.
  28. When resigning, retiring, or upon dismissal or suspension from the District, members shall surrender all District property assigned to them, or in their possession, to the Fire Chief or staff at Administration.
  29. Members shall immediately report to their Commanding Officer any accident, sickness, or injury sustained while on duty.
  30. Members shall not steal.
  31. All members shall provide themselves with a telephone at their place of residence and shall keep the District, including Administration, informed of their current phone number and residence address. Phone numbers and addresses shall not be given out unless authorized by the member.
  32. Beards will not be allowed: OSHA standards on all facial hair will be adhered to.
  33. Earrings shall not be worn on duty for suppression/E.M.S. personnel.
  34. All members shall participate in training and drills as prescribed by their company officer, the Training Division, or other District authority. They shall make a diligent effort to become proficient in the duties of their position.
  35. Members will stay abreast of current practices of the Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District, for most efficient performance of said duties.
  36. Members will sustain a minimum physical fitness to perform the duties of the position they hold.
  37. Members will be aware of and protective of the welfare of their fellow members.
  38. Members must, whenever possible, respond to dispatches in a timely manner.
  39. Members must follow Safe Dispatch Protocols for Fire and E.M.S. responses per District Response Guidelines.

Absence of Rule Statement: As stated, the above are examples of prohibited conduct. The absence of a rule or standard does not mean that the District will not take action if circumstances are deemed appropriate to do so.

Violation of these Rules and Regulations is subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination covered in the disciplinary action SOG.