Fire Board Considering Adopting Off-Duty, ‘Positive Image’ Policies

The Bourbon Fire Protection District’s board of directors is considering adopting policies that would govern how firefighters act while off-duty and ensure they are presenting a positive public image.

The policies were introduced at the board’s meeting Nov. 11.

If an employee engages in conduct that would violate the district’s policies while on duty or is considered undesirable and/or embarrassing or would weaken public confidence, the district reserves the right to take appropriate disciplinary action.

The criteria is based on promptness of reporting to administration, notoriety of the conduct, seriousness of the conduct, if the conduct relates to the nature of the job, impacts the employee’s availability for work and whether it affects the willingness of co-workers to continue to work with the employee.

The positive public image would require firefighters to project a warm, cordial, friendly and sympathetic demeanor to patrons at all times.

It would forbid discourteous or rude behavior, abusive language and profanity with patrons.

It also would not allow firefighters to be overly optimistic or overly pessimistic about patient outcomes.

Fire Chief Steve Kimker said he was concerned that the policy could restrict a firefighter’s First Amendment rights, especially in light of recent events.

He said that policy should be tabled.