Legal and Policies

CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT PROCESS

ANDERSON TOWNSHIP (PERRY CO) FIRE DEPT INC

     IN THE EVENT ANY PERSON HAS A COMPLAINT OF DISCRIMINATION OF ANY KIND, THE FOLLOWING POLICY SHALL DICTATE THE PROCEDURE TO REPORT THAT INCIDENCE OF COMPLAINT. THIS PROCESS SHALL APPLY TO ANYONE BE THEY FIREFIGHTER, MEMBER, NON-MEMBER COVERED LIFE, EMPLOYEE, APPLICANT, CONTRACTOR, BUSINESS ASSOCIATE, OR ANYONE WHO COMES IN CONTACT WITH OUR DEPARMENT AND ITS SERVICES. (PROCEDURE 6 MUST BE STRESSED IN EVERY INCIDENCE).

THE COMPLAINT SHALL BE MADE IN FORM OF A LETTER OR EMAIL TO:

ANDERSON TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT

12835 STATE RD 145 TELL CITY, IN 47586-8514

andersontownshipfire@gmail.com

COMPLAINANT MAY ALSO SUBMIT COMPLAINT DIRECTLY TO THE OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS AS LISTED BELOW.

THE COMPLAINT SHOULD REFER TO THE BASIS OF DISCRIMINATION, e.g. RACE, NATIONAL ORIGIN, LANGUAGE, DISABILITY, SEX, AGE, OR RELIGION.

THE COMPLAINT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED WITHIN 180 DAYS OF THE INCIDENT.

IN THE EVENT THE COMPLAINANT HAS LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY, THE PRESIDENT, CHIEF, OR ASSISTANT CHIEFS WHO ARE PROVIDED LANGUAGE TRANSLATION APPLICATIONS SHALL ASSIST IN FILING THE COMPLAINT.

 

  • THE COMPLAINANT SHALL BE REFERRED TO THE OFFICER WHO HAS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE GRIEVANCE. COMPLAINTS THAT OCCURRED AT A FIRE SCENE SHALL BE REFERRED TO THE CHIEF.  COMPLAINTS THAT OCCUR BECAUSE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY, POLICY, OR ANY OTHER CONCERN SHALL BE REFERRED TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. A LETTER OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT SHALL BE SENT TO COMPLAINANT WITHIN 10 DAYS.
  • ALL PARTIES TO THE COMPLAINT SHALL BE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND PROFESSIONALISM.
  • TO THE EXTENT FEASIBLE, THE RESPONSIBLE COMPLIANCE OFFICER SHALL WORK WITH THE COMPLAINANT TO TAKE STEPS TO RECOGNIZE AND ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST THE PERSON PROVEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISCRIMINATORY ACT.
  • PERSONS PROVEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FIRST OFFENSE SHALL BE NOTIFIED AND RELIEVED OF DUTIES UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THEY SHALL READ AND FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OR REGULATION THAT THEY HAVE VIOLATED. AFTER THEY HAVE COMPLETED REVIEW OF THAT ACT AND OUR POLICY STATEMENT, THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO AFFIRM THEIR FUTURE COMPLIANCE WITH SAID ACT OR REGULATION.  FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN DISMISSAL.  ANY PROVEN SECOND VIOLATION OF ANY CIVIL RIGHTS DISCRIMINATION BY THAT PERSON WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL.
  • THE COMPLIANCE OFFICER SHALL COMPLETE A REPORT ON ANY COMPLAINT AND RESULTING DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND NOTIFY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF A COMPLAINT WITHOUT DISCLOSING COMPLAINANT OR ACCUSED VIOLATORS IDENTITY. SAID REPORT SHALL BE RETAINED FOR 7 YEARS.
  • REGARDLESS OF RESOLUTION OF COMPLAINT OR OTHERWISE, COMPLIANCE OFFICER SHALL REFER COMPLAINTANT TO DHS:
  •  OCR Complaint Portal  and/or Mail to
    Centralized Case Management Operations
    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
    200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
    Room 509F HHH Bldg.
    Washington, D.C. 20201
  • Email to OCRComplaint@hhs.gov

 

  • IN NO INSTANCE SHALL ANY RECRIMINATION OCCUR TO THE COMPAINANT.
  • ALL PERSONS ASSOCIATED WITH ATFD SHALL COOPERATE WITH ANY REQUEST THAT ANY DHS INVESTIGATORS MAKE IN RESPONSE TO ANY COMPLAINT. LACK OF COOPERATION, OBFUSCATION, OR DISHONESTY MAY RESULT IN ADDITIONAL DISCIPLINARY ACTION. ALL PERSONS U.S. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS SHALL BE OBSERVED AND RESPECTED.
  • IN THE EVENT THAT AFTD BOARD OR DHS DETERMINES ANY POLICY OR PROCEDURE ESTABLISHED BY ATFD BOARD OR STAFF IS FOUND NON-COMPLIANT WITH ANY NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT OR REGULATION, THE PRESIDENT SHALL TASK THE BOARD WITH AMENDING SAID POLICY OR PROCEDURE TO COMPLY AT THE NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING.
  • THE COMPLAINT SHALL BE ADDRESSED WITHIN TWO MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (NO MORE THAN 90 DAYS) AND THE COMPLAINANT WILL BE NOTIFIED BY RESPONSIBLE OFFICER IMMEDIATELY THERE AFTER

 

  • ANY COMPLAINANT WHO HAS LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY OR HEARING OR VISUAL DISABILITY SHALL BE PROVIDED WITH TRANSLATED DOCUMENTS, ORAL INTERPRETATION, OR ALTERNATE FORMATS UPON REQUEST
  • THIS DOCUMENT SHALL BE POSTED IN OUR FACILITY AND ON OUR WEBSITE WHEN IT IS COMPLETED.

Adopted 9/11/2023 at Special Meeting of Board of Directors

LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY POLICY AND PROCEDURES

ANDERSON TOWNSHIP (PERRY CO) FIRE DEPT INC

 

ATFD’S GOAL IS TO PROVIDE THE FASTEST, LIFESAVING AND PROPERTY PROTECTING FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE TO ANY RESIDENT OR VISITOR TO OUR FIRE RESPONSE COVERAGE AREA. TO THAT END, ALLOWANCE MUST BE MADE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO EITHER LIVE OR ARE VISTING OUR AREA WHO ARE NOT PROFICIENT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.  NO DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF NATIONAL ORIGIN OR LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY WILL BE TOLERATED.

  BECAUSE OUR POPULATION HAS NO IDENTIFIABLE GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS LIKELY TO BE SERVED, GENERAL REMEDIES SEEM BE BEST PRACTICES. ADDITIONALLY, NO CURRENT MEMBER OF OUR FIREFIGHTER ROSTER IS FLUENT IN ANY OTHER LANGUAGE.

SINCE INTERSTATE 64 TRAVERSES OUR COVERAGE AREA, WE MAY AT ANY TIME ENCOUNTER VISITORS NEEDING ASSISTANCE WHO SPEAK NEARLY ANY LANGUAGE.

  TO THIS END, ATFD SHALL PROVIDE THE PRESIDENT, THE CHIEF AND HIS ASSISTANT CHIEFS VOICE TRANSLATOR APPS ON A PHONE OF THEIR CHOICE. EACH OF THESE INDIVIDUALS WILL BE REQUIRED TO TRAIN IN THE USE OF THESE APPS TO ENSURE PROFICIENCY.  THIS WILL ASSURE THAT AT LEAST ONE FIREFIGHTER RESPONDING TO FIRES, VEHICLE INCIDENTS, OR AT OUR FACILITIES WILL HAVE MEANINGFUL COMMUNICATION CAPABILITY.

NOTICE OF THIS FREE LANGUAGE SERVICE WILL BE POSTED IN OUR FACILITY AND ON OUR WEBSITE WHEN IT IS COMPLETED.

Adopted in Special Meeting of Board of Directors 9/11/2023

ADA NON-DISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

ANDERSON TOWNSHIP (PERRY CO) FIRE DEPT INC

   FOR THE PURPOSE OF PREVENTING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN AND BENEFIT FROM PROGRAMS, SERVICES, AND VOLUNTEERISM, ATFD WILL NOT REFUSE MEMBERSHIP OR FIRE RESPONSE SERVICE TO ANYONE WHO RESIDES IN OR IS VISITING OUR FIRE RESPONSE COVERAGE AREA.

   ADDITIONALLY, MEMBERSHIP TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL NOT BE LIMITED BY ANY PHYSICAL LIMITATION FOR WHICH ATFD CAN MAKE REASONABLE ACCOMODATION. THE BOARD MEETING SITE, ST MARKS FIREHOUSE, IS ADA COMPLIANT FOR MEETINGS AND RESTROOM ACCOMMODATION AS IT CURRENTLY EXISTS.  REQUEST FOR REASONABLE MODIFICATION OF FACILITY OR ACCOMMODATION IN POLICIES SHALL BE MADE TO THE PRESIDENT (COMPLIANCE OFFICER) VERBALLY OR IN WRITING. REQUEST WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE PRESIDENT WILL RESPOND TO ALL REQUESTS IN WRITING.

   FOR PURPOSES OF QUALIFYING FOR SERVICE AS A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER, A JOB DESCRIPTION AND QUALIFYING PHYSICAL TESTS SHALL BE ADMINISTERED TO EVERY APPLICANT REGARDLESS OF DISABILITY.  APPLICANTS WILL QUALIFY OR FAIL BASED ON THEIR ABILITY TO COMPLETE THE TASKS ASSIGNED, NOT BY ANY PRECONCIEVED PRECEPTION OF THEIR ABILITY.  ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE ASKED TO PERFORM THE SAME TESTS.  THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND QUALIFYING TESTS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED BY OUR CHIEF AND ASSISTANT CHIEFS AND WILL ONLY CHANGE IF NEW EQUIPMENT OR TECHNOLOGY ARE ADDED TO OUR FIREFIGHTING ARSENAL WHICH REQUIRE ADDITIONAL OR LESS PHYSICAL ABILITY TO PERFORM A FIREFIGHTING FUNCTION.

  REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS CAN BE MADE VERBALLY OR IN WRITING TO THE CHIEF.  REQUESTS WILL BE REVIEWED IN THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF ANY QUALIFYING TEST OR FIREFIGHTER POLICY BY THE FIREFIGHTERS MERIT BOARD. THE CHIEF WILL RESPOND TO THE REQUEST IN WRITING WITHIN 30 DAYS.

Adopted 9/11/2023 at Special Meeting of Board of Directors

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY STATEMENT

ANDERSON TOWNSHIP (PERRY CO) FIRE DEPT INC

ALL BOARD MEMBERS, FIREFIGHTERS, AND ANY ANCILLARY STAFF OF ANDERSON TOWNSHIP (PERRY CO) FIRE DEPT INC, HEREAFTER ATFD, SHALL COMPLY WITH ALL ACTS AND REGULATIONS FOR THE ENSURANCE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION AND NON-DENIAL OF SERVICE, VOLUNTEERISM, OR ANY OTHER SERVICES WE PROVIDE TO OUR MEMBERS AND THE RESIDENTS OF AND VISITORS TO OUR COMMUNITY AND ANY RESPONSE AREA.

  • THIS LIST OF ACTS AND REGULATION INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
    TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964
  • SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973
  • TITLE IX OF THE EDUCATION AMENDMENTS ACT OF 1972
  • AGE DISCRIMINATION ACT OF 1975
    DHS REGULATION 6 C.F.R. PART 19 (including other implementing regulations)
  • ADOPTION OF THIS STATEMENT SHALL SUPERSEDE ANY PREVIOUS POLICY WHICH MAY HAVE FALLEN OUT OF COMPLIANCE BY OMISSION OR OVERSIGHT.
  • NO RETALIATION OF ANY KIND AGAINST ANY COMPLAINANT WILL BE TOLERATED. (see Item 5 procedure 7 of our Civil Rights Complainant Process)
  • THIS POLICY SHALL BE POSTED IN OUR FIREHOUSE AT ALL TIMES AND SHALL BE PUBLISHED ON OUR WEBSITE WHEN IT IS COMPLETED.

Affirmed and adopted this date 9/11/23 Special Meeting Board of Directors

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