WELCOME ABOARD!

Spalding County Fire Department Orientation

Introduction As a new member of the Department, there are several points of

interest of you must make priority.

If you ever have questions or misunderstanding about what your requirements or what it is expected of you, please contact your supervisor/instructors immediately.

Supervisors/instructors are in place for several reasons to help you with learning your job.

Look to your supervisors/instructors as coaches of a ball team. Most professional teams have several coaches who may not actually play the game but have done it enough to be able to offer you their experience and guidance so the entire team will end up winning.

Requirements & Expectations Driver’s License

Class F or CDL Driver’s Must be obtained within 3 weeks of employment

Driving Upon passing the Department Driving Test, you will be

allowed to drive the Fire Trucks to all non-emergency events when a permanent status Firefighter, Instructor, or Officer is riding with you.

You will not be allowed to drive to alarms until your supervisor releases you to do so.

Maintain a good personal driving record.

Requirements & Expectations

Leave Vacation Holiday Leave Sick Leave Funeral Leave

Do NOT abuse your Leave privileges

Requirements & Expectations Leave of Absence

Follow the Department Rules and Regulations exactly as pertaining to Leaves of Absence.

In the event you must be off duty with sickness or for other reasons, you are to notify the designee of the Fire Chief as soon as you become aware of your situation but not later than 7:15 a.m. on the day required to be at work.

Communication is the key.

Requirements & Expectations Attendance

Punctuality is extremely important. You are expected to notify your Supervisor if you are running late. Tardiness results in immediate dismissal from the job.

Requirements & Expectations Responsibilities

You are held accountable for your actions while employed at this Department.

The public expects and demands proper, accurate and timely service delivered in a professional and courteous manner.

You are a public servant.

Requirements & Expectations Rumors and Gossip

There are many people in the Department who like to discuss the business of others.

There are some who like to generate rumors and others who like to spread rumors.

Creating rumors can get you terminated from employment in an expedient manner.

The spreading of rumors cannot help your probationary status either.

Requirements & Expectations Cliques

Although the entire Department is one big team of workers striving to protect and save the property and lives of the public…..

You may find yourself caught up in little cliques or groups.

Any group of persons who intend to cause harm to the Department or to others is not the group to join.

Use caution in this area.

Requirements & Expectations Courteousness

Exercise consideration for coworkers and the public. Try to observe the rights of others. Chores should be done by each member as per their job description. Walking away from tasks in hopes that someone else will do them is not

courteous. Making rude comments or ‘cutting’ remarks to anyone will be cause for

immediate dismissal. If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. “Talking back” to Supervisors or Instructors will be viewed as

insubordination. Attitude is very important. You are expected to perform your assignments in a prompt, courteous

and cheerful manner.

Requirements & Expectations Tests

During your Recruit training, you will be required to pass certain tests set forth by the Fire Chief.

The Fire Chief will determine how many chances you get to re-take tests that you fail.

Be careful to not fail any tests. Remember- you are on probation in

Recruit training, your employment can be terminated at the pleasure of the Fire Chief.

Requirements & Expectations Training & Exercises

Classroom Training Hands On Training Always be prepared to learn

Paper Pens

Tape recording devices are not allowed. You will learn more if you write down

what you are being told.

Requirements & Expectations Chain of Command

At all times the Chain of Command will be exercised and adhered to.

You must conduct all Department business matters through the Battalion Chief.

You are not to go to other personnel and especially Firefighters for assistance or otherwise, unless they are assigned to be your Instructor for that period.

The Fire Chief makes the final decision as to whether or not you keep your job.

Requirements & Expectations Personal Property

Keep your personal property locked up and out of sight in your vehicle or on you.

The Department and its employees are not responsible for lost damaged or stolen personal property.

Property that is not yours is not to be bothered. For example, food.

It would be advisable you not bring expensive articles to work with you.

Follow the Department Rules pertaining to personal property.

Requirements & Expectations

Phone Numbers Provide your Supervisor with telephone numbers

where you can be reached. If your phone number is unlisted, let your

Supervisor know and it will not be given out to other personnel.

You must keep the telephone numbers of your Supervisor so you can contact him when you are required to do so.

Requirements & Expectations Paperwork

You are expected to submit your required paperwork in an accurate, completed and timely manner.

payroll time sheets training reports accident (loss) reports additional incident reports

as may be required

Requirements & Expectations Responding to Alarms

While on duty, you must respond to any and all alarms that your designated station is sent to.

You have (1) one minute from the time of the alarm to get in your apparatus and in route to the alarm.

You will respond to calls designated by your Supervisor regardless of which district the alarm is for.

The Fire Chief will determine when you will begin responding to alarms.

Requirements & Expectations Signing of Memos

You are to sign all Departmental and County Personnel Memos that are sent to you.

This is a way of showing that you saw or received the memo, not necessarily that you approve of or agree with the information contained on the memo.

Some memos may actually pertain to policy or safety issues so it will benefit you to read them and sign them.

Requirements & Expectations Refrigerator Limitations

Only small amounts of food permitted. Do not leave any food when you go home for the day. The Department is not responsible for food that you

leave if it is discarded. Eat your own food. Unclaimed, expired, foul looking/smelling and/or

uncovered food will be promptly discarded.

Requirements & Expectations Horse Play

Horse Play of any kind is not allowed. Horseplay that leads to injury of

yourself or others will be grounds for immediate dismissal. This includes jokes of a harmful

discriminatory nature whether or not you intended for the joke to be taken that way.

The best policy is to keep your jokes to yourself.

Requirements & Expectations Confidentiality

Closely follow the information guidelines listed in your Personnel Policy and Rules and Regulations about discussing Department business with others.

Requirements & Expectations The Front Office is for

conducting business only.

Requirements & Expectations Telephone Usage

Limit phone calls to (5) five minutes and try not to make or take so many calls so as to attract attention to yourself.

You should only make or take phone calls during your break.

Cell phones should be on silent alert. NO long distance phone calls on the

County Phones unless approved to do so by the Fire Chief.

Requirements & Expectations Rules & Regulations/ SOP’S

Personnel is to adhere to Departmental Rules and Regulations at all times.

The Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P.’s) are guidelines that are in place to aid with normal decision making and during the absence of Supervisors. In some cases the S.O.P’s may be modified by

supervision as the situation dictates.

Requirements & Expectations Times of Work/Leisure

All times you are at the Station are considered as work times. The only leisure time you will be permitted will be during break periods

which will be determined by the Fire Chief or his designated Instructor. Tobacco products are not allowed during work hours.

Tobacco is only allowed when on break and outside of the station. There will be no spitting or spit cups allowed anywhere on the property. Cancel your cigarette butts completely, wet them and then dispose of

them in the trash receptacle. T.V. watching is not allowed except during your break unless it is for

specified training purposes. Sleeping will not be allowed at any time. When on break, it is recommended that you not over eat due to causing

discomfort during strenuous exercises. Stay hydrated.

Requirements & Expectations Part Time Employment

You are required by the County Personnel Office to provide your Supervisor in writing with notification of your part time employment.

A determination will be made by the Personnel Director of the County as to whether or not your side job poses a conflict with your job here at S.C.F.D. This must be done regardless of how many side jobs you have or

how often you change side jobs.

Requirements & Expectations Conservation of Resources

It is imperative that each member concentrate on conservation of Departmental resources: Electricity Water Heat Supplies

Remember to turn off all lights, televisions and appliances when you leave a room or if you see that no one is going to be in that room.

The bay lights should not be on unless it is dark outside and people are in the bay needing lighting. The bay heaters must not be running on high

settings or with the bay doors left open.

Requirements & Expectations Accidents/Injuries/Losses

Any injury that you have, any accident you are involved with and any loss of equipment or damage to any property, whether owned by the County or by others, must be reported immediately to your Supervisor.

You will also be required to fill out the appropriate paperwork for such occurrences.

QUESTIONS

Spalding County Fire Department Orientation