BEL AIR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY
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EFFECTIVE DATE:
06/01/05
MOP 10.001
SECTION:
DISTRIBUTION:
Organization, Management
& Administration
ALL MEMBERS
SUBJECT:
AUTHORIZED BY:
Disciplinary Guidelines
Board of Directors & Chief
Thomas Schaech
Disciplinary Guidelines
Preface: The integrity of the Bel Air VFC is dependent upon the personal conduct, integrity, and discipline of each
member. The BAVFC will aspire to preserve the public’s trust and confidence, while delivering the best possible
service to the citizens.
Unbecoming Conduct
Every member of the BAVFC shall conduct himself or herself in a manner, which reflects favorably on both the
member and the Company. This is premised by the perceptions of both citizens and other members. Unbecoming
conduct includes any action or activity that may tend to bring the BAVFC, its members and officers, into disrepute, or
reflects discredit upon the individual member as a representative of the Company, or which may tend to disrupt or
impair the operations/efficiency of the member/Company.
Conformance to Laws
Any member who has been charged with a violation of any law, statute, or public local ordinance/law must report the
facts surrounding such violation within 12 hours to the Department Chief or Deputy Chief of the BAVFC. Parking and
red light camera violations are exempt from this notification except when they were incurred during operation of a
BAVFC vehicle.
Members subject to arrest shall be suspended upon notification to the Chief/Deputy Chief. A reinstatement hearing
shall take place no later than 72 hours after initial notification, unless extenuating circumstances prohibit the timely
process of a hearing. Two Chief Officers must be present at the hearing. At the conclusion of said hearing, a
decision shall be rendered regarding the member’s status, which shall be communicated to all officers within 12
hours. Felony charges shall cause for the immediate suspension of the member until such time that the court
system responsible for the adjudication of charges meets and renders a decision. Following that process a
reinstatement hearing shall occur.
Computer Equipment
Members of the BAVFC who utilize computers owned, maintained, or leased by the Company will access only those
files that are under their granted authorization and shall perform only those actions permitted by the administrator for
their use. Members may not copy, remove, alter, or otherwise cause for the disruption any system, component, or
software or manual without the express consent/knowledge of the administrator and President of the Company. This
includes any removal of any component of the system from any premise of the BAVFC.
I.
Rationale and Background
A. The BAVFC operates under the premise of a paramilitary organization. As such an agency, conduct
of personnel and maintenance of order arises from adherence to standard operational guidelines,
rules, regulations, and issued orders of an officer. Discipline is a tool utilized by the officer to
maintain this order, ensure safety, and correct inappropriate behavior.
B. The BAVFC must strive for consistency when applying discipline.
DATE: 06/01/05
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BEL AIR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY
EFFECTIVE DATE:
06/01/05
MOP 10.001
C. The matrix as outlined ensures that consistent discipline matches violations of a similar nature.
D. An Officer is defined as a Fire Line or EMS Officer. Sergeants, both Fire and EMS, are excluded in
the definition of an Officer in this matrix.
II.
Management Philosophy
A. This disciplinary matrix includes those offenses considered by the Board of Directors and Line
Officers to be of a nature requiring corrective action(s) and discipline, but in no way shall be
considered to be exclusive of any offense requiring specific actions.
B. When reviewing specific allegations, the responsible officer shall see to it that one specific item is
not the focus; other factors may come into consideration that may rise to a reduction or increase in
the overall level of corrective action executed. These factors may include, but in no case shall be
limited to:
i. Type of incident (attitude, insubordination)
ii. Safety violation resulting in potential for injury
iii. Amount of property damage
iv. Willful intent
v. Member’s past record and history of previous incidents (whether of similar nature or not)
C. Recommendations for corrective action may be based upon:
i. Unusual factors and/or mitigating circumstances
ii. Motive(s)
iii. Others involved
iv. Truthfulness during questioning
v. Record of previous discipline
vi. Willful admission of error and/or guilt of member
vii. Other pertinent factors
III.
Description of Categories of Discipline
A. Inappropriate behavior, misapplication of rules, regulations, or standard operational guidelines
(SOGs) is classified into broad categories based on progressive degrees of severity. Category “A”
defines the lowest level; “E” the highest.
B. Repeat of similar misconduct or violations of a more serious nature will lead to higher penalty
categories of “B”, “C”, “D”, or “E”.
IV.
Category “A” Violation
A. Category “A” violations are those of a “minor” nature, i.e., failure to clean the maintenance area
following work on a personal vehicle. This would constitute written counseling (including
documentation in the “discipline book/file”) with a document placed in the member’s file.
B. Same or similar occurrences within a 12-month period automatically move the infraction to a
category “B” infraction.
C. A combination of any three category “A” infractions over a twelve (12) month period automatically
moves the third offense to a category “B” offense.
V.
Category “B” Violation
A. Category “B” offenses are those of a more serious nature, requiring not only formal counseling, but
in many instances a structured action on the part of the investigating officer. Such infractions may
include items such as sleeping through a call, failure to complete a MAIS report in a timely fashion,
etc.
B. Such instances shall be cause for documentation of formal counseling in the member’s file, as well
as issuance of a “work detail”. Such details shall be of a finite nature; i.e., specific activity and time
frame in which to complete.
C. A same or similar occurrence with 36 months of the original incident shall elevate the infraction to
the next level “C”.
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BEL AIR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY
EFFECTIVE DATE:
06/01/05
MOP 10.001
D. A combination of any three category “B” infractions over a 36-month period shall automatically
elevate the infraction to the next level “C”.
VI.
Category “C” Violation
A. These infractions are of a fairly significant nature; requiring documentation as in “A” and “B” above,
as well as definitive corrective action following an investigation by the assigned officer. These issues
will result in suspension from activities for a period of not less than one (1), but no more than four
(4) calendar weeks. Such offenses could be inappropriate conduct in the public view or setting,
failure to notify an officer that a driver’s license has been suspended (Company operators only),
other “conduct unbecoming a member” as determined by the investigating officer.
B. At this level it is important to note that in any disciplinary action, only the investigating officer must
discover a preponderance of the evidence. While it is incumbent upon the investigating officer to
assure that members receive a fair and consistent process, there is no legal requirement mandating
that the officer must prove without doubt that guilt exists.
C. Repeat or similar offenses of this category over a 36 month time frame shall move the next violation
to a category “D” offense.
D. A combination of any three category “C” violations within a 36-month time frame shall automatically
move the third violation into a category “D”.
VII.
Category “D” violation
A. These continue on the premise of misconduct by the member. Serious issues such as safety
violations, collisions determined to be of negligence on the part of the member, sexual harassment,
alcohol/drug violations, etc., are a few examples.
B. Offenses of this level, given the seriousness of the infraction, subject to significant penalties.
Suspension from duty of no less than three (3) calendar weeks shall be issued, with possible
consideration for additional suspension based upon evidence and a recommendation of the Chief
Officer.
C. A combination of any three category “C” offenses within a 36 month time frame shall move the next
violation to a category “E” offense.
VIII.
Category “E” violation
A. These are the most serious of all violations. Infractions at this level are subject to the most
significant disciplinary actions. Examples are theft (from Fire Company or other entity), gear
tampering, and felony conviction.
B. Members found guilty of category “E” violations shall be summarily suspended from ALL company
activities (to include off-site training) until final disposition on their membership status be determined
by the Board of Directors.
DATE: 06/01/05
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