need help

[onelastbreath]

i have looked for answers before but couldn't find the exact one i was looking for. is it possible to expell or "kick out" a volunteer firefighter? some have said it was possible, others not? does it depend on what state your in? or just on your volunteer dept? i live in a small town in alabama, and was just wondering if anyone could help me out with this. thanks

[firemanmikey]

In Alberta Canada we did it. We had to let a couple of members go for certain reasons. Just because it's "volunteer" dosen't mean you can't get fired. If it's a serious safety hazard or this person is continuing to cause sh_t when they've been told numorous times, then I would say boot them. But thats just what I think.

Mike

[muddled247]

It is very possible to "fire" someone for a volunteer dept. In the fire dept i volunteer for...well "paid call"...we have some very strict rules to go by. If these rules are not followed then we are expected and expecting to be punished. Its a great fire dept to be on but if people are making the job hard for other people not being safe or not following the rules then they wont be hanging around for long.

[nozzelvfd]

If a volunteer firefighter is not doing his or her job or seriously violates department policies/procedures or worse violates a state or federal law, absolutely he or she can be suspended or Fired (kicked out)!!!

Some departments vote members out as well. Just make sure your department is doing it for the right reasons and has the proper documentation on the firefighter before proceeding with kicking him or her out.

[Driver76]

That is the reason that well defined and concise bylaws are so important to a volunteer fire organization. If it's in writing than you have the legal grounds to do whatever is needed to discipline or remove a member from your ranks.
You need to have all possible infractions which could arise listed and a step by step disciplinary procedure clearly spelled out.
Oh, one more thing ... if you put it down in your bylaws then you need to be prepared to apply the rules to EVERYONE ! If you boot someone and get hauled into court over it, you don't need some attorney asking you why his client was kicked out of the company for a certain infraction when the Captain's son did the exact same thing six months earlier and nothing was done. Game over ... you lose.

[Weruj1]

I hate to ask but what might be the link to update your stuff on the FCC site ?

[scvfd412]

I think most departments will kick people out. It's important to run a volunteer department professionally. My department kicked a guy out for stealing. Whatever is in your bylaws or SOP's, and yes they should apply to EVERYONE.

[tbonetrexler]

This sort of thing should be adressed in your Consiution/By-laws. We have a process in which the member is brought up for "seperation" (i cant think of a better word) by a member, then the member bieng brought up has a chance to defend themselves (if able) and then it is brought for a vote by the membership.