The Otero County Fire Districts were created and established
by the Otero County Commission for the purposes of providing necessary
fire, rescue and emergency medical services for the residents of and
visitors to Otero County. The Fire and EMS Districts shall act in
accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and ordinances.
The purpose of this Volunteer Firefighter/EMS Standards Policy (hereafter
referred to as "document") is to establish consistent, basic policies
and practices concerning relations between Otero County and its volunteer
fire and EMS personnel (hereafter referred to as "volunteers"). This
document further establishes the procedures available to volunteers
to hear their grievances with respect to improper promotions, demotions,
suspensions and expulsions, and provide the method by which a hearing
officer is chosen to hear grievances. Provisions of the document shall
apply to all County volunteers except as provided herein.
Definite rules and regulations cannot be readily formulated
for every possible problem and situation. This document serves as
a general basis and guide for the proper, efficient, and effective
administration of personnel matters of the volunteers of Otero County.
The personnel rules contained herein replace and supersede all previously
issued or approved bylaws, personnel rules and regulations applicable
to volunteers of Otero County.
There shall be no resolution or other action of the Board of
County Commissioners or other County officials which is inconsistent
with this document except by amendment of this document as required
by law. This document shall not be amended without input from those
affected at a work session prior to a public hearing. The Board of
County Commissioners reserves the right to amend this document at
its discretion.
The County shall provide a copy of this document to present
volunteers and to all new volunteers with instructions to read and
be familiar with all provisions of this document. Volunteers shall
sign for a copy and acknowledge that they have read and understand
the document.
Any individual at least 14 years of age (with parent or guardian
permission if under 18) or older who is a citizen of the United States
or foreign national who holds a valid visa and is a current resident
of Otero County or any adjacent county is eligible to be retained
or recruited by an Otero County Volunteer Fire Department, subject
to compliance with the provision of this policy. Participation shall
be available to all those qualified without regard to sex, race, color,
creed, marital status, national origin or any other protected class.
The County Emergency Services Director shall administer the
personnel policy and the terms of this document and its amendments,
and all future approved operating procedures. The County Emergency
Services Director may recommend to the Board of Otero County Commissioners
any necessary amendments or revisions to the document as required
by law, standards or at the recommendation of those affected by this
policy.
The Otero County Fire Districts are fundamental to the County's
ability to provide fire, rescue and emergency services to the residents
of and visitors to Otero County. It shall be the mission of each County
Fire District to provide the highest quality of services to the residents
and visitors of Otero County. All Volunteer Fire and EMS Departments
shall adhere to the provisions of this document.
In order to maintain open communication between Otero County
and its volunteers and to ensure that volunteer concerns are addressed
quickly and efficiently, the County will utilize the chain of command
concept. It is required that a volunteer discuss concerns first with
his/her immediate supervisor. If the concern cannot be handled at
this level, the volunteer may request a meeting in writing with the
next level supervisor, up to the Chief of his/her department. If it
becomes necessary to pursue the issue beyond the Chief, the next appropriate
step will be a meeting with the Otero County Emergency Services Director
and as designated in Appendix A.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix A is included as an attachment
to this chapter.
It is the intent of the governing body that the sections, paragraphs,
sentences, clauses and phrases of this document are severable, and
if any phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section of the document
shall be determined to be invalid for any reason, such invalidity
shall not affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses, sentences,
paragraphs and sections of this document.
No phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section of this document
shall be construed to create a contractual right or give rise to any
contractual rights.
Otero County is required to maintain the privacy and security
of protected health information (HIPAA). HIPAA regulations will be
followed in administrative activities undertaken by staff when it
involves protected health information (PHI) in any of the following
circumstances: health information privacy, health information security
and health information electronic transmission. documents containing
PHI shall not be removed from County offices. Otero County will consider
any breaches in the privacy and confidentiality of PHI to be serious
and any violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action,
up to and including dismissal of services.
It is the intent of the governing body that the County Manager
or his/her designee is hereby empowered and authorized by delegation
of the power and authority of the Board of County Commissioners to
enact standard operating procedures governing a broad spectrum of
topics and issues which are necessary to efficiently and effectively
perform the functions and services provided by Otero County. For individuals
wanting to review these standard operating procedures, please contact
the Otero County Emergency Services Director.
Otero County volunteer departments or organizations are hereby
empowered and authorized to enact standard operating procedures (SOP)
governing a broad spectrum of topics and issues which are necessary
to efficiently and effectively perform the functions and services
provided by their respective departments; however, Otero County will
adopt a standard operating procedure with coordination of the Otero
County Fire Departments for functions or duties while volunteering;
these SOPs shall serve as a "minimum standard" that can be enhanced
but shall not be reduced.
A.
The following guidelines are designed to help promote a positive
team attitude and an efficient, effective working environment. All
personnel shall conduct themselves in an orderly and respectable manner
and behave in a way that brings credit to their department. Personnel
shall treat others with respect and refrain from the use of abusive,
derogatory or foul language both in the station and in the public
view.
B.
Personnel shall follow all standards, rules, procedures, and policies
that are normally expected in the working environment.
A.
Personnel shall treat all department and issued equipment in such
a manner so as to avoid damage and prevent loss, theft or destruction
of that equipment. Any willful destruction, theft, or damage or failing
to make efforts to stop such damage, theft or destruction will be
grounds for disciplinary action.
B.
Removal of County equipment or use of County equipment for personal reasons is strictly prohibited and subject to disciplinary action. County equipment shall not be removed from County property without prior consent of the Chief or Emergency Services Director. Article IX Section 14 of the Constitution of New Mexico states: "Neither the state nor any county, school district or municipality, except as otherwise provided in this constitution, shall directly or indirectly lend or pledge its credit or make any donation to or in aid of any person, association or public or private corporation or in aid of any private enterprise."
