Policy 2101: Discipline
YAKIMA COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 12
10000 ZIER ROAD
YAKIMA, WA 98908
POLICY # 2101
COMMISSION CHAIR SIGNATURE s/b Ken Eakin, Chair
EFFECTIVE DATE: 1-97
REVISED: 5/13/08
POLICY TITLE: DISCIPLINE
RESCINDS: Rules 1.06, 3.05, 3.07, 3.08, 3.12, 7.40
1.0 DEFINITIONS
Member:
A member of Yakima County Fire District #12 is a person that has been hired to provide services to the Fire District as a volunteer, paid career or in any other capacity as authorized by the Board of Fire Commissioners.
2.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide general guidance to officers who may impose discipline on members’ inappropriate behavior.
Employment with the District is “at will,” nothing herein is intended to constitute a promise of specific treatment or discipline in a specific instance.
3.0 MEMBERS SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINE
Any member of the District shall be subject to discipline (up to and including dismissal from the District) for any violation of, dereliction of, or indifference to the District’s policies and rules, for actions which jeopardize the safety and well being of any other member, or for any other inappropriate action. Generally, discipline should be imposed according to the nature and aggravation of the offense, but other factors such as the frequency and severity of prior violations should be considered.
4.0 OFFICERS RESPONSIBLE TO ENFORCE DISCIPLINE
Officers will endeavor to be prompt, fair, impartial, and consistent in their dealing with subordinates and shall see that order and discipline are maintained among the members. When deemed appropriate by the officer, discipline should be the minimal punishment that will cause a positive change in the member’s behavior.
5.0 WRITTEN REPORT REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED
Officers shall prepare and submit to the Fire Chief or his designee written documentation for all forms of discipline imposed on a member.
6.0 RELIEF FROM DUTY
Independently of disciplinary action, officers have the authority to relieve a member of his duties if (i) the offense committed is considered to jeopardize the safety and well being of any member or the public or (ii) the member refuses to obey an order.
7.0 DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS TO BE MAINTAINED
All disciplinary actions taken against members shall be placed in the members personnel file. The Fire Chief must approve any written disciplinary report before it is placed in a members personnel file.
8.0 TABLE OF OFFENSES TO BE USED AS GUIDANCE
The attached table of offenses and discipline examples may be used as a guideline for administering discipline. However, officers should consider all factors, including the member’s prior offenses and history of counseling, the member’s overall job performance, and the member’s behavior and attitude.
9.0 PRE-TERMINATION HEARINGS
If the District offers a pre-termination hearing to a member, the process will ordinarily include the following:
1. Notice to the member of the offense and proposed action.
2. A statement of the reasons for the proposed action.
3. The opportunity for the member to respond orally or in writing.
4. The procedure must be conducted prior to the time a decision to terminate is made and prior to the time the member is deprived of any benefits.
DISCIPLINARY FORM
__Verbal Warning __Written Reprimand __Suspension __Termination ___Other
MEMBERS NAME __________________________________ DATE __________
REASON:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CORRECTIVE ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY MEMBER (if applicable):
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I hereby certify that I have advised the Member of foregoing discipline and any corrective action on the date appearing below:
___________________________________ ______________________
OFFICER SIGNATURE DATE
MEMBER RESPONSE (if desired):
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________ ________________________
MEMBER SIGNATURE DATE
(If member refuses to sign, Officer should so indicate on the above line)