Auxiliary Program

So what is this Auxiliary Program and who is it for?

This program is intended for those in the community that would like to help out in their local fire department but may not want to volunteer as a firefighter. This program would allow those interested in being involved become a part of something very rewarding within their community, without the risks or physical demands associated with being a firefighter.

This program will also be of benefit for anyone that maybe interested in becoming a firefighter, but is not yet ready to attend the Fire Academy.

Fire Corps® is a national grassroots effort to help fire/EMS departments enhance their services by engaging with community members to assist with non-emergency tasks. Fire Corps was initially formed under the national Citizen Corps initiative, which was designed to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to natural disasters and other emergencies. Since it was launched by the NVFC in 2004, Fire Corps has helped local fire and EMS departments across the U.S. build more capacity through the use of non-operational volunteers and has helped connect community members with fire service volunteer opportunities. (information in the paragraph above is from the National Volunteer Fire Council's website, click on this link for their website)

Fire Corps was launched in 2004 and is managed by the National Volunteer Fire Council. This program utilizes non-operational volunteers that can assist the department in performing a wide variety of non-emergency services. These services may entail grant writing, administrative paperwork, assisting with fire prevention activities, fundraising events, managing social media, website updates, assisting with traffic control for parades and fireworks, assisting with firefighter rehab at large events, school fire drills, helping sweep up around the fire hall, and a myriad of other activities.

This pilot program would be 100% volunteer. It is our hope and intention that this program may help to involve more members from the community and may lead to some wishing to move up to become firefighters or emt's.

This program would not fall under the same state training requirements as firefighters. Auxiliary members will not be assisting in any hot zones on any incidents. However all auxiliary members will be required to attend a minimum of 20hrs of initial department familiarization, annual policy review, Basic First Aid, CPR & AED Training, Blood Borne Pathogen Training, N95 Mask Fit Testing and a few other in house classes as well as continuing education relevant to the auxiliary program and any assigned duties.

Auxiliary members are not intended as substitutes for

fire and emergency service personnel.

Auxiliary members shall be utilized to support department functions and shall receive training appropriate to the duties that they may be called upon to perform.

Draft Policy:

It shall be the policy of the Powell Township Fire Department to maintain and operate the assignment of Auxiliary members to any duties as may be determined appropriate and necessary. Auxiliary members shall be utilized to assist emergency management and other related community service functions in non-operational roles as needed and determined by the Fire Chief or their designee.

Procedure:

1. The Fire Corps Auxiliary Program shall be under the supervision of the Fire Chief or their designee.

2. The Fire Chief or their designee shall coordinate and/or maintain all aspects of the Fire Corps Auxiliary Program.

3. The Fire Chief or their designee may appoint an individual to the position of Fire Corps Auxiliary Captain or Fire Corps Auxiliary Coordinator if deemed necessary.

4. Auxiliary members shall not be armed with weapons of any kind while performing duties for the department.

5. Auxiliary members shall not be compensated for any time worked under this program.

6. Auxiliary members shall abide by and follow all fire department and township policies.

Fire Corps Auxiliary Applications:

1. All members of the department are encouraged to actively participate in the recruitment and training of qualified community volunteers.

2. The department shall make Fire Corps Auxiliary applications available to the public.

3. All applications shall be forwarded to the Fire Chief.

a. The Fire Chief or their designee shall ensure all applications are acknowledged in a timely fashion.

b. No application will be rejected because of an omission or error that can be corrected.

4. The Fire Chief or their designee shall:

a. Review applications.

b. Request Human Resources Department to conduct background, criminal history, and driver’s license checks as deemed necessary based upon the assignment.

c. Ensure that the admission or rejection of applicants is based on careful, sound, and rational judgment.

Qualifications:

1. Applicants must be [18] years of age or older.

2. Applicants must be of good moral character.

3. Applicants must not have been dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces.

4. Applicants must not have been convicted or have pled no contest to a felony or misdemeanor offense including but not limited to immoral conduct, DUI, or narcotics sales or trafficking. This does not include minor traffic infractions; however, the decision to approve or deny an auxiliary application shall rest with the Fire Chief or his/her designee with final approval by the Township Board.

If the background investigation establishes that the volunteer has a significant history of prior unlawful conduct, the volunteer will not be appointed. If the information comes to light after the appointment, the volunteer shall be released from the Fire Corps Auxiliary Program.

5. Applicants must have on file a completed, processed application with a valid Michigan driver’s license or other form of identification.

6. Applicants must have the mental and physical capacities to perform the requirements of assigned duties as determined by the Fire Chief or his/her designee.

Conduct:

1. No Auxiliary member shall report for duty while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

2. No Auxiliary member shall consume alcohol or drugs likely to cause impairment while on duty or perform any duties for the department while under the influence of alcoholic beverages or any substance which may adversely affect physical or mental capabilities.

3. Auxiliary members represent the Powell Township Fire Department while acting in the capacity of a volunteer in the Fire Corps Auxiliary Program. As representatives, Auxiliary members must conduct themselves in such manner as to demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism so as to earn and keep the public's trust.

4. Auxiliary members shall be polite and courteous to the public, members of the Powell Township Fire Department, and other township employees at all times.

5. If a uniform and department-issued identification card have been provided to Auxiliary members, then Auxiliary members shall be in uniform and plainly display their department issued identification card while on duty. Identification must always be displayed while volunteers are in township facilities and representing the Powell Township Fire Department's Fire Corps Auxiliary Program.

6. At no time will an Auxiliary member display his/her Powell Township Fire Department issued identification card to secure special privileges or personal gain. It shall not be used for general identification purposes such as check cashing or to gain favorable treatment or gratuities. Violations of this directive may result in immediate release from the program.

7. Auxiliary members’ assignments within the department may provide them access to confidential or sensitive information. Any information gained in this manner shall not be divulged.

8. If an Auxiliary member cannot fulfill a scheduled assignment, the member shall notify their team leader, Fire Chief or their designee as early as possible.

Training:

1. The Powell Township Fire Department will provide all Auxiliary members with the necessary training and the materials in which they will need to perform Fire Corps Auxiliary functions.

2. All Fire Corps members shall participate, on a regular basis, in meetings or training exercises. Failure to maintain acceptable attendance may result in release from the Fire Corps program.

3. All Auxiliary members shall maintain a current CPR, AED, & Basic First Aid Certification

4. All Auxiliary members shall be trained in Incident Command ICS 100, 200, & 700a.

Fire Corps Auxiliary Program Assignments:

1. The Fire Chief or their designee shall coordinate the allocation and assignment of Auxiliary members. Assignments should be assigned based off of a members strengths, abilities, comfort level, and preference when able.

Assignments may include but are not limited to:

A. Administrative functions

-clerical assistance with data entry and paperwork

B. Assist with General Station Maintenance

-helping with shoveling in the winter, sweeping bay floors

C. Assist with Basic Vehicle Checks

-vehicles are clean and presentable, washing as needed

-vehicles start, signals/lights/sirens work, checks fuel/water/fluid levels, tires

D. Rehab/Canteen Services

-water, ice, food distribution to first responders at emergency scenes

-public, fire and EMS department assistance

-sandbags

E. Public Relations

-smoke detector program

-fire prevention / life safety education

-assist with CPR Classes

-assist with Basic First Aid Classes

-assist with community and department events

-assist with Fire Department Open Houses

F. Photography, Social Media and Website Development

G. Assist with Fire Numbers & Updating Township Map Books

H. Assist with Vehicle & Gear Shuttling

I. Assist Incident Command on large incidents

- Contacting Emergency Management, board up crews, shelters, and organizing red cross assistance at the direction of the Incident Commander.

J. Fundraising

K. Grant Writing

L. Youth/Cadet/Explorer Programs

M. Assist with Firefighter Training

N. Assist with Fire Department and Fire Corps Auxiliary Recruitment

O. Chaplain Services to assist with Critical Incident Stress Debriefing or assisting families on the scene of a fatality or loss.

P. Participate in FEMA CERT Training. (Community Emergency Response Training)

Q. Duties performed in support functions will be determined by the Powell Township Fire Department based on a members training, skills and other individual interests.

R. Auxiliary members who have received specialized training (such as CERT training) may be called upon during disasters and other emergencies to assist.

2. Auxiliary members will be assigned to positions that augment the department’s ability to provide services.

3. Auxiliary members may also receive training in traffic control and parking enforcement as part of their ongoing training. Traffic control training is a benefit to police, fire and EMS departments and maybe utilized at community events, accidents and other emergency scenes.

4. Considerations when creating assignments for Auxiliary members include:

A. Volunteers want to be involved in worthwhile and challenging assignments.

B. Ensure that the assignment will use the individual’s skills and abilities.

C. Evaluate whether the assignment will require learning new skills.

5. Auxiliary members are expected to assist when called upon.

6. Auxiliary members may be assigned to assist in performing duties in other support functions, including those outside of the Powell Township Fire Department, based on his/her skills, interests, and specific training.

7. Auxiliary members shall never be asked to perform functions or duties in which they are not yet trained in, capable, or comfortable performing.