Decatur Township Fire Department

The successful operation of our department and the discharge of our duties is attributed to the attitude, determination and the desire on the part of each employee to make our department a professional place for us to perform our duties and for the public call for the services we perform. These factors should always be foremost in the minds of our employees. The interest and enthusiasm each person puts into his or her position is a major factor in the proper and efficient operation of our department.

2. AT WILL EMPLOYMENT

Employment with the Decatur Civil Township, (Decatur Township Fire Department) is at will and this handbook does not constitute an express or implied contract of employment. Should the employee decide to leave our employ, we will expect a two-week notice of your intentions, in writing.

3. CHANGES IN POLICY MANUAL

From time to time, it may be necessary to alter some portion or portions of this manual.Should this
occur, you will receive written notice of the changes and we reserve the right to make such
changes as deemed necessary. We reserve the right to make changes in the handbook without notice,subject to notice requirements imposed by law.

4. PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT

Customary practice recognizes a period of probation for new employees. During such a period, the employer has an opportunity to determine whether or not a new employee will be able to do the job in the way the employer requires it to be done. The employee, likewise, has an opportunity to determine whether or not he likes the job and the township. Employees are classified as "probationary" during the period of probation and as "permanent" after they have successfully completed the period of probation.

A twelve - (12) month probationary period, dating from the first day worked on a full-time basis, will be considered as a trial term. All new employees will accrue all fringe benefits from the date he or she first worked on a full-time basis, however, new employees will not be permitted to use the benefits until after the expiration of a successful probationary period, e.g., Take vacation days. During this period, you will be given every opportunity to prove your ability. If you should be found unsuited for the job, an effort will be made to aid in your development. If you or we decide during this period that either is not suited to the other, it is understood that we may part without any hard feelings.

5. PAY WEEK

The workweek starts at 07:00 hours, Thursday and continues until 07:00 hours Thursday of the next week. Pay day is on Friday.

6. PAY PERIODS

All employees will be paid bi-weekly on Friday following the last day of the regular workweek. When a holiday falls on Friday, arrangements will tried to be made to advance the pay date to the Thursday following the last day of the regular work week. Checks are issued on that Friday during business hours.

7. NORMAL WORKING HOURS

Shift starts at 07:00 hours and ends at 07:00 hours the following day. Lieutenants and Captains will work 06:30 hours – 06:30 hours.

8. WORK SCHEDULE

Operations personnel shall work a rotating shift of 24 hours on-duty followed by 48 hours off-duty. Twenty-four (24) consecutive hours shall constitute one (1) shift. Shifts shall begin at 0700 hours and end at 0700 hours the next morning.

Administrative staff personnel shall generally work from 0800 hours to 1700 hours, Monday through Friday.

9. PAY INCREASES

General pay level increases are made only on authority of the Decatur Township Board. Such increases are usually based on Township finances, labor market conditions, cost of living changes and similar changes.

10. PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS

Payroll deductions are automatically made for federal income tax, state income tax, social security tax, and county tax. Other deductions may be made with your written permission. Deductions from an employee's pay are made for taxes required by law to be withheld from his pay and for certain other items for which he has specifically authorized the township to make such deductions. The deductions are made as required by federal, state and local governments or for the convenience of both the employee and the employer in the administration of certain employee benefit plans made available by the by the employer.

If and when authorized by employees, the township also makes payroll deductions for other purposes, such as: Insurance premiums under the plan for group hospitalization insurance, Pension funds, Union dues, COIT (County Option Income Tax)

11. WORKMAN’S COMPENSATION

While employed for Decatur Civil Township, you are covered by workmen's compensation insurance purchased by the township. (If you are injured on the job or contract an occupational disease during the proper performance of your duties you should be entitled to benefits specified by the state workmen's Compensation act). Occupational injury or workmen's compensation benefits are payments made to, or on behalf of, an employee who sustains injury or disease arising out of and in the course of his employment. Law requires such payments. All benefits required by law will be provided by insurance.

Workmen's compensation can provide for your medical care and weekly benefits if you are disabled. To be sure you do not forfeit your rights under this law, report every accident to your supervisor immediately.

12. LIFE INSURANCE

The group insurance plan includes life insurance. The township pays 80% of the premium costs for this insurance coverage, which amounts to $15,000.00 for the employee. There are other coverage’s listed in the summary of benefits listed in the Group Benefit Plan Handbook provided by Nippon Life Insurance Company.

Insurance coverage is offered to each full-time employee, effective at the start date of full time employment.

13. HEALTH AND HOSPITALIZATION INSURANCE

The township has arranged for a group insurance plan under which non-occupational hospitalization and surgical benefits are provided for permanent employees and covered dependents. The township pays 80% of the cost of the insurance for employees the remaining 20% and any dependent coverage is at the cost of the employee through payroll deduction.

VISION PROGRAM

A vision care discount program is available to employees who participate in the group health program at no additional cost. (See schedule of benefits)

14. DENTAL INSURANCE

Dental insurance is offered with the group insurance plan at no additional cost. (See schedule of benefits)

15. NON-OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT BENEFITS:

See schedule of benefits

16. RETIREMENT/PENSION BENEFITS

Decatur Township participates within the Civilian Public Employee’s Retirement Fund (PERF). This is at no cost to the employee. The Township will pay 9% of the employee’s yearly salary into this fund. At this time 9% is the maximum amount that can be paid into this fund.

17. VACATION

Paid time off from work is considered a benefit to both the firefighters and the department as it gives an individual a chance to rest and spend quality time with family and friends. It is the purpose of this policy to ensure the equal distribution of vacation. Employees shall be eligible for vacation days after completing one calendar year (probationary year) with the department. Annual vacation days shall be based on the calendar year.

Vacation days are time allowed off duty with pay for eligible employees based upon number of entire years of service with the Decatur Township Fire Department.

The amount of vacation available to you each year based upon completed years of service is as follows:

Years of Service	Number of Vacation Days	Hours of Vacation Days
Administration/Operations	Administration/Operations	Administration/Operations
1 - 7 years	10 days / 5 days	80 hours / 120 hours
8 - 14 years	15 days / 8 days	120 hours / 192 hours
15 or more years	20 days /10 days	160 hours / 240 hours

Employees shall be eligible for vacation leave beginning on the one-year anniversary hire date. Part-time, temporary, or extra help will not be granted vacation time.

Choices for vacation time for the next year maybe submitted between December 1 – 15. Requests will be honored based on seniority. All other vacation requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance. Officers will schedule vacations for their respective personnel, per their requests.

The Officer, after disapproving or approving the request, will make one (1) copy and disperse them as follows: Original for Officer's file and Copy for the personnel requesting leave

The Officer will have the responsibility to see that all of their firefighters receive and comply with the vacation time allotted to them for that year.

Only one on duty career personnel will be allowed to take time off, unless approved by the Chief.

The Officer will schedule the necessary fill in vacation person throughout the year and if necessary, reassign personnel to fulfill staffing needs during vacations.

HOLIDAYS

The holidays observed are listed below. The township will paid an amount specified by the board to each firefighter. The paid will be based on available funds for the budget year. In order to be paid for a holiday you must work the entire 24-hour shift day. The holiday schedule may be changed each year. Part-time, temporary, or extra help will not be granted holiday pay.

Recognized holidays are: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day

18. BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

There arise unplanned and unforeseen events, which do not allow for the application of preplanning for needed days off. Generally, these arise concerning death of a family member. It is the intent of this policy to provide a method for being away from the work place with pay for a short period of time, when this happens.

Firefighters are allowed one (1) day for bereavement leave. Administration employees are allowed three (3) days for bereavement leave. Please inform your officer as far in advance as practical concerning it.

If additional time off is needed, which exceeds this policy, one may elect to use vacation time, personal time, or trade time. Additional time off may be at the discretion of the Chief, upon written request.

Part-time, temporary, or extra help will not be granted bereavement leave.

19. SICK TIME

All full-time employees of Decatur Civil Township accrue 1/2 of a sick day each month (4 hours for administration and 12 hours for operations). No sick days will be allowed before the completion of 90 days of full time employment. Sick days may be used for illness of the employee or for illness in the employee's immediate family including children, spouse, or legal dependents of the employee.

Sick days may not be used in advance of accrual. Requests for special consideration must be made in writing to your supervisor and a physician's verifying statement may be required. Unused sick days may be carried over from year to year.

You must contact your company officer 1/2-hour before your shift begins to inform him of your illness.

Compensation will not be made for Holiday time, if sick time is used the day before or the day after the holiday.

20. PERSONAL TIME

All full-time employees of Decatur Civil Township accrue 1/4 of a personal day each month (2 hours for administration and 6 hours for operations). Personal days shall be scheduled in advance and have the approval of your supervisor.

Personal time in excess of 3 working days (24 hours for administration and 72 hours for operations) is automatically converted to sick time and added to the employee's accumulated sick leave. Unused personal time up to 3 working days may be accumulated and carried over from year to year. You will not be compensated for unused personal days upon termination of employment.

Request shall be made 24 hours before time requested off. Emergency requests for personal time will be at the discretion of the Company Officer. A personal time off request form shall be filled out, and signed by the Company Officer.

21. ADDITIONAL TIME OFF

Any time off other than as provided for in this handbook shall be at the discretion of your officer after consultation with the appropriate officials. Any such time off allowed will be either with or without pay at the discretion of your officer after consultation with the appropriate officials.

22. OVERTIME

Overtime compensation for exempt members working a 52-hour average workweek will be given for hours worked over 212, in a designated 28-day period. Overtime compensation for non-exempt administrative members working a 40-hour workweek will be given in excess of 160 hours in a 28-day work cycle.

Premium Over-Time

Personnel may accumulate additional overtime hours outside their normal shift. This overtime will be compensated for at a rate of 11/2 times. Overtime will be paid for, request for additional manpower by Incident Commanders, and for Call Back, as provided by guidelines. This overtime must be presented and approved during that particular shift. All overtime will be paid at the end of the 28-day period.

Non-Premium Over-Time - This is the mandatory amount accumulated each 28-day cycle for each member on each shift. Maximum allowable number of hours worked at regular time shall be 212 hours during a 28-day period. Non-Premium overtime accruing during the normally scheduled shifts will be paid at a rate of half time. Non-premium overtime is paid at the end of the 28-day period. Educational leave scheduled on shift will be counted as working time.