HomeMy WebLinkAbout500.002 - Academy Instructor Code of ConductEffective Date: April 2015 Michael Gilbert, Battalion Chief
Current Revision Date: 02/10/2023 Section 500.002
Next Revision (1) Date: 02/10/2025 Page 1 of 4
Fresno City Fire Department
500 Firefighter Trainee Manual
SECTION 500.002 ACADEMY INSTRUCTOR CODE OF CONDUCT
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to establish a code of conduct for academy instructors.
APPLICATION
It is the responsibility of academy instructors to educate and guide firefighter trainees
through drill school and afford them every opportunity to succeed. At all times,
academy instructors are to support an atmosphere favorable to learning in a
disciplined environment.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
Academy instructors should conduct themselves in a professional manner as defined
in Administrative Manual, Sections 109.001 – 109.012, Rules and Regulations. Prior
to assuming the role of academy instructor, candidates should agree to the State Fire
Training Instructor Code of Conduct.
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
The primary mission of academy instructors is to provide a safe and effective learning
environment for all firefighter trainees. To prepare trainees for entry into the field, it is
essential that drills and activities be conducted with a sense of urgency to place
firefighter trainees in stressful situations comparable to those they may experience in
the field. However, academy instructors must also recognize their responsibility for
maintaining a balance between urgent, stressful, fire ground operations, and routine
administrative duties.
PROCESS
1.Guiding Principles:
a.The core values of the Fresno Fire Department (FFD or
Department) are used as guiding principles at all times:
Effective Date: April 2015
Current Revision Date: 02/10/2023
Next Revision (1) Date: 02/10/2025
Michael Gilbert, Battalion Chief
Section 500.002
Page 2 of 4
i.Teamwork:
•Train for excellence.
•Leave it better than you found it.
•Everyone goes home safe.
ii.Trust:
•Treat others the way we want to be treated.
•Do the right thing.
•Walk the talk.
iii.Commitment:
•United in our mission.
•Everyone plays an important role.
•Our work represents us.
b.Promote a positive environment to encourage trust and ease of
learning.
c.Assign only those tasks to firefighter trainees which are beneficial
for the training process.
d.Academy instructors set the example for firefighter trainees.
Wearing the appropriate uniform and adherence to Department
grooming standards is expected.
2.Contact with Trainees:
a.Limited Contact: Academy instructors should limit their contact
with firefighter trainees outside of normal academy hours and
activities without prior authorization from the Training Chief or
designee.
i.If an academy instructor is required to contact a firefighter
trainee after academy hours, notify the Training Chief as
to the purpose and details of the discussion as soon as
reasonably possible.
ii.Limit contact with firefighter trainees under circumstances
that place them in a one-on-one situation. For instance,
closed-door meetings are to be arranged to allow a
minimum of two (2) training staff members to be always
present.
iii.Drill ground coaching/mentoring that is unplanned and
corrective in nature does not apply to the above.
Effective Date: April 2015
Current Revision Date: 02/10/2023
Next Revision (1) Date: 02/10/2025
Michael Gilbert, Battalion Chief
Section 500.002
Page 3 of 4
3.Corrective Actions:
a.Firefighter trainees are to be always treated respectfully.
i.Immediately take appropriate action for any breach of
conduct.
ii.Corrective measures should have positive connection to
behavioral and learning objectives.
iii.Upon issuance of a verbal warning, inform firefighter trainees
of the potential for further disciplinary action for subsequent
infractions; all negative behavior is to be documented.
iv.Significant Issues: Apprise the Training Chief of all significant
firefighter trainee issues related to their respective skills,
behaviors, and test scores.
v.Physical hazing and/or initiations are strictly prohibited and
should be banned from Department activity. There is zero
tolerance for acts that are dangerous, lewd, or otherwise
illegal.
4.Special Needs/Accommodations:
Occasionally, a firefighter trainee may be faced with a special
circumstance requiring deviation from standard rules and operating
guidelines. Academy instructors, with oversight and approval of the
Training Chief, review each situation on a case-by-case basis and
provide reasonable accommodation where available and appropriate.
5.Violation of Academy Instructor Code of Conduct:
Academy instructor(s) and/or any person whose actions are affected by
this code of conduct are required to notify the Training Chief and
academy instructors if any violations of these rules occur.
INFORMATION
This section intentionally left blank.
DEFINITIONS
This section intentionally left blank.
Effective Date: April 2015
Current Revision Date: 02/10/2023
Next Revision (1) Date: 02/10/2025
Michael Gilbert, Battalion Chief
Section 500.002
Page 4 of 4
CROSS REFERENCES
Administrative Manual
Sections 109.001 – 109.012, Rules and Regulations
Standard Operating Procedures Manual
Section 205.004, Day Uniform
Section 205.010, Grooming
Office of the State Fire Marshal State Fire Training
Instructor Code of Conduct