Define this...

[WhiteLite]

I have two questions for ya'll. First, how would you define an employee? Second, If your job required that you fill out a form and get authorization for a second job, would you consider joining a Volunteer Fire Department that provides no compensation for your services, monetary or otherwise, a job(i.e. would you consider yourself an employee of said Department)?

Just a bit of curiosity on my part. Please let me know your opinions on it. Thanks!

[Citicop]

I would have to get permission from my department for that.

From our General Orders:

Secondary/Off-duty Employment: The provision of a service, whether or not in exchange for a fee, other service or benefit. This shall include any type of business or service owned or otherwise engaged, whether in whole or part, by the employee. However, employment does not include volunteer work for charitable organizations.

But that's just my Department.

Citicop.

[marinepilot]

I would say that it would be a good idea to request permission, or at least inform, your current employer ANYTIME you're thinking about doing something potentially dangerous that could lay you up in a hospital, or keep you from coming to work the next day.

If you're going to become a volunteer firefighter, that's an honorable thing. But I still say you should inform your current job.

[MrJim911]

My agency also requires approval to get a 2nd job. The second question is purely personal. I would not want to be a volunteer FF, but that's me. If you want to, then go for it.

[Creeker]

I would say that it would be a good idea to request permission, or at least inform, your current employer ANYTIME you're thinking about doing something potentially dangerous that could lay you up in a hospital, or keep you from coming to work the next day.

....

Mmmmm, I know of several guys who didn't get permission before hand, went out and played Hockey or softball like they were still teenagers, and ended up in the Hospital.... so I don't know how much I agree with that...

To the OP, I think your Agency wants to know that they are your primary employer should the need arise for you to work previously unscheduled shifts.

[WhiteLite]

Well, what I've run into is that my department is telling me that since I didn't get authorization to work a second job from them, that I'm prohibited from being a member of my fire department.
The only amusing part of the conflict is that there have been other employees who were members of a volunteer department and were not required to have this authorization signed. Not sure why I'm being singled out. I'll update ya'll, whenever I find out some more information, maybe.

[marinepilot]

Mmmmm, I know of several guys who didn't get permission before hand, went out and played Hockey or softball like they were still teenagers, and ended up in the Hospital.... so I don't know how much I agree with that...

Okay, allow me to clarify...

Anytime you're thinking of getting a second job or volunteer position that could get you hurt / land you in a hospital, such as being a firefighter.










Maybe that doesn't make much sense either. :p

I'm just thinking of the situations I've been in. While an Officer in the Marine Corps, we had to have permission to get ANY part time job. Now, as a LEO, I know that I have to also have permission to have a part time job, and I think they would also appreciate if I ended up doing something professionally (not like playing a sport with friends) that could lay me up for a while.

Oh, whatever... It's late and I've been working 15 1/2 hours now on a double shift.

Only 2 1/2 to go!

[StationM]

Well, since I am both a County employee, and a Sheriff's Department employee - I am essentially "on call" for any county-wide emergency. I'd see a conflict taking a second position that would also require "emergency" responses. At some point, one of your teams would be left short.

We have to get permission before taking another job, and it was clearly explained when we were hired.

[shugs]

My agency requires that i get permission to get any type of parttime/volunteer position. I can remember one particular job i wanted to do for personal enjoyment, not financial reasons and got told no.
Sure glad i didn't get caught with my hand inthe cookie jar on that one. It boils down to two things. Not creating a conflict in interest, and remembering that your public sector job is PRIMARY! If you keep these things it mind it should be fine.
Have to say though, I could not see wanting to do volunteer FF after being an LEO greater part of the week. Too each his own.

[WhiteLite]

I suppose I'm just dedicated. I've been volunteering for the past 7 years... I enjoy it quite a bit. I've just recently gotten back into it since I've moved down to TN. I understand the conflict of interest point of view, but if it's not allowed to become a conflict, then it's not one. I don't go on calls when I know I have to be at work within a certain time frame, and the Department I volunteer with is in a different juristiction than the city I work for.

I'm not concerned with it right now, after giving it some thought, it was mentioned only verbally, and not documented. I've got some bigger fish in the fryer right now at work, so I'll let this go unless it becomes a larger issue. Provided I don't make it a conflict, I don't perceive it being one. Thanks for the responses though! =)

[mcsap]

Not only do I have to get permission , I have to re-new the permission annually.