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Policy 2110: Volunteer Firefighter Skill Maintenance & Training

Policy 2110: Volunteer Firefighter Skill Maintenance & Training

YAKIMA COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 12

10000 ZIER ROAD

YAKIMA, WA  98908

POLICY #                         2110

COMMISSION CHAIR SIGNATURE:                                                    

EFFECTIVE DATE:          7/10/2007

REVISED:                         3/11/2008

                                        12/12/2017

Policy Title:           MEMBERS MEDICAL, SKILL MAINTENANCE, TRAINING AND INCIDENT REQUIREMENTS

RESCINDS:            RULE 7.41, 7.42, 7.43, 7.44

REFERENCE:         WAC 296-305

1.0     PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to establish skill maintenance, training requirements, call requirements, and medical requirements for members.

2.0     MEMBERS RESPONSIBLE FOR DRILL ATTENDANCE

Drill attendance requirements are established at 50% of the regular scheduled drills. Each member is responsible for complying with the requirements established within this policy. The Fire Chief and/or Training Officer may require members to attend other training activities beyond the required drills. The Department shall be notified by members unable to meet the established drill attendance requirements because of sickness or injury. Excused absences may be granted for medical leave and leave of absence.

3.0     SKILL MAINTENANCE, TRAINING REQUIREMENTS, AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Members are responsible for maintaining skill levels, training requirements and using protective/safety equipment as established by Yakima County Fire District 12.  All members shall be required to pass an entry level medical exam and drug test.  All members upon reaching age 50, 55 and 60 shall pass a medical examination and all members over age 50 63 must pass a medical exam every three years. Members participating in the Board for Volunteer Firefighters retire/rehire program must pass an annual physical.  All medical exams shall be performed by the District’s appointed physician. All costs incurred for medical examinations shall be the sole responsibility of the Fire District.  However, members may elect to have their personal physician perform the physical using the District’s required procedures and forms at the member’s expense.  Any subsequent findings requiring future medical treatment is at the expense of the member.

Training Requirements:

All training requirements are on an annual basis and the Chief and/or Training Officer determine the criteria for meeting each of the following.  The Chief reserves the right to exempt any member from any portion of the training requirements, all exemptions must be made in writing.

a. Maintain a valid First Aid certification.

b. Maintain a valid CPR certification.

c. Maintain a valid Emergency Vehicle Accident Prevention certification.

d. Maintain SCBA certification. (WAC 296-305-04001 063 C)

e. Maintain serviceable protective clothing. (WAC 296-305)

f. Maintain Wildland training.

4.0     STATION CALL REQUIREMENTS

200 or Less Total Annual Station Calls   =   25% Annual Required Attendance

More Than 200 Total Annual Station Calls   =   20% Annual Required Attendance

The intention of station call requirements is for the member to respond to their stations calls. Duty Officer, Duty Chief and Duty Crew calls, while important to the mission, do not exclude the member from meeting station call requirements for their assigned station.

Members on leave of absence or medical leave are excused from all calls during their leave.

5.0     MEMBERS NOTIFIED OF PARTICIPATION ACTIVITIES

Quarterly, the Department shall monitor and report the status of each member’s compliance with the training, drill attendance and call requirements policy. The report shall be a running total of the year and be posted at each station quarterly on an informational bulletin board.

6.0     OFFICERS DRILL ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT

Officers shall exceed 50% attendance at Officers Meetings and regularly scheduled drills.  Officers shall notify the Chief if they are unable to attend a regularly scheduled Officer meeting.

7.0     ADDITIONAL DRILL CREDIT MAY BE EARNED

Additional drill credit may be earned by any of the following methods, and must be pre-approved by the Chief and/or Training Officer:

a. Career firefighters, Paramedics or EMT’s working on drill nights.

b. Attending outside training classes relating to Fire Department Operations. Example: Conferences, Seminars, College Courses, hands on training, and Saturday drills. 

c. Instructing a recruit class or other Fire Department class.

d. Attending other department’s drills or OTEP classes.

e. Drill credit is given while a member is attending recruit school, wildland firefighter class or emergency medical technician training.  One credit per week for any class held in that particular week.

8.0     FAILURE TO MEET REQUIREMENTS

Annually members failing to meet the minimum requirements as specified in 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 of this policy will be placed on three to six months probation at the discretion of the Fire Chief or designee.  While on probation members will be required to meet or exceed the Districts requirements of 50% drill attendance, 25% call attendance, and all other training requirements. Members not meeting the probationary requirements may be demoted or terminated at the discretion of the Fire Chief.

9.0     COMPENSATION

Payment to members may be allowed for additional training credits earned for attending outside classes with pre-approval.