Telephone use

[seerae]

Am interested in what other departments have in place regarding the use of department telephone (station and/or cellular), and, personal cell phone use while on duty.

[BucksEngine78]

Our logic is this: you are a member, you are entitled to use the phone. Of course, excessive or long distance calling is not allowed, but besides that, anyone can use the station phone or cell phones in the trucks.

[Adze39]

Back in the early 90's we had a problem with people calling long distance...they were calling Pakistan and Taiwan!!! Then we blocked out of state long distance. Around 1999, the town took over our phone system and long distance was turned back on. I found out the other month that we still pay the long distance portion of it, but that it is barely anything. We also have car phones on all the appratus. People are free to use either phone system as much as they want as long as they don't run up a bill. The only real restriction (policy wise) that we had was you were not supposed to use the station phone for more than 5 minutes at a time incase someone was trying to call in for an emergency (even with 911 this still happens). This fall, we changed our telephone system and bumped up to 5 or 6 lines. The 5 minute policy generally still stands but is no longer an issue.

[Lt.111577]

As long as the phone usage is not being abused it should be ok. The problem that I encounter is personal cell phones ringing on EMS runs. This happens while the crew is trying to help the person who called for you. The personal phones should be left on the rig, whether it be a engine or a ambulance. I dont see many people taking there cell phones with them into a fire. Same should hold true on an EMS run. If you do take your phone with you on fire or ems calls, the ringer should be silenced and the phone should not be answered around the patient or family members. Most cell phones that I have seen have a memory of the last 10 or so people that have called, you can call them back later.

Just something else to consider.

Lets be safe out there.

[IGO4IT]

you can use station phones as long as you want (call waiting). can not use the dept. cell phones at all, and personnel cell phones when not with patients.

[Sponge60]

Our station is a combination one, so one our ways of keeping the station inviting to our volunteer members is that we allow use of the phone for local calls. We have 2 lines and ask everyone to conduct personal business on those lines. We also have no formal policy on use of personal cell phones, but as long as it does not interfere with a person's duty or activity, then I see no harm. Of course, talking on it while responding to incidents may not be appropriate.

[colwell]

Personal telephone calls; in-coming or out-going are prohibited during business hours with the exception of lunch hour (12-1) and after 5PM. Calls are to be kept reasonable in length. Calls for personal business ventures are prohibited at any time (tough to enforce at outlying stations). Emergency calls are allowed at any time.