Article 12 - Appointments, Probationary Service, Promotions & Resignations

Question 1

What is a Probationer?

Answer 1

Appointees are subject to an 18 month probationary period and may be dropped from the rolls at any time during that period for unsatisfactory service or misconduct. Their work and conduct at the Training Academy, in quarters, on the fireground and in general will be carefully observed. If any indication of inefficiency in any regard presents itself, it will be immediately brought to the attention of the Fire and EMS Chief through the proper chain of command.
(Art XII, Sec 1)

Question 2

What certifications must probationers maintain upon successfully completing the TA?

Answer 2

Probationers who successfully graduate from the TA will maintain the following certifications: Firefighter I, Firefighter II, NREMT and DOH Emergency Medical Technician-Basic Level, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Hazardous Materials Awareness, Hazardous Materials Operations, and a valid Driver’s License. (Art XII, Sec 1)

Question 3

What is an ARC?

Answer 3

In addition to the Basic Probation Training Course, an Accelerated Recruit Training Course (ARC) may be offered as a voluntary option to individuals hired by the Department who already maintain the aforementioned qualifications. ARC Program participants will be assigned to the TA for approximately 10 weeks; and must meet the same objectives as the Standard Recruit Class. Failure to successfully complete the ARC Program will result in termination. (Art XII, Sec 1)

Question 4

What is documented on DC Form 121?

Answer 4

Each Probationer will be required to complete one of the remaining segments of the Probation Training and Evaluation Program each month in numerical sequence. Battalion Commanders will test Probationers on the various skills listed on the Form 121 series as directed by the Deputy Fire Chief-TA. Commanders will also counsel Probationers and provide such guidance as may be necessary to assist the Probationer in their studies. (Art XII, Sec 1)

Question 5

What will be done within 4 days each month of the anniversary of the Probationer’s appointment?

Answer 5

No later than four (4) calendar days after the monthly anniversary of the employee’s probationary appointment, the Company Commander, or his or her designee, will examine the employee on the requirements for that particular month using the appropriate Form 121 series and indicate the employee’s performance (point value) on the corresponding form. Accordingly, the Battalion Commander will administer the 121.14 and 121.18 probationary examinations and indicate the employee’s performance (point value) on the appropriate monthly form. The Battalion Commander shall sign off on the 121.18 to acknowledge that the entire probationary process has been satisfactorily completed. (Art XII, Sec 1)

Question 6

When will the probationer be examined by the demons from hell at the PFC?

Answer 6

Probationers will be examined at the Police and Fire Clinic (PFC) not less than 60 days prior to the expiration of their probationary period. (Art XII, Sec 1)

Question 7

What happens if a probationer is not in full duty status during his probationary period?

Answer 7

The probation period will be extended by the period of time the employee is not in a full duty (Art XII, Sec 1)

Question 8

What must a member achieve in order to be eligible for a service or a longevity step increase?

Answer 8

DC Official Code 5-501.1 provides that no uniformed employee will be entitled to a service or longevity step increase in salary unless he/she has rendered satisfactory service. (Art XII, Sec 2)

Question 9

What is the Performance Management Program?

Answer 9

Chief Officers will be evaluated using the Performance Management Program (PMP). (Art XII, Sec 2)

Question 10

Who is ultimately responsible for approving performance ratings?

Answer 10

Performance ratings for the purpose of service/longevity step increase will not become final until approved by the Fire Chief , who may in his discretion approve or disapprove ratings assigned by rating officers. (Art XII, Sec 3)

Question 11

Who will rate members?

Answer 11

1. The Deputy Fire Chiefs on employees below the rank of Deputy Fire Chief.
2. The Assistant Fire Chief on the Deputy Fire Chiefs.
3. The Fire and EMS Chief on the Assistant Fire Chiefs.
   (Art XII, Sec 3)

Question 12

May a member appeal an unsatisfactory performance rating?

Answer 12

Unsatisfactory ratings will not be approved by the Fire Chief until the employee is given an opportunity to appeal the proposed action. If the employee decides to appeal the action, a final decision by the Fire Chief on the rating to be assigned will be delayed until such time as he has considered the recommendation of the Performance Rating Appeals Board. The Fire Chief may in his discretion accept or reject recommendations of the Performance Rating Appeals Board. The Chief’s decision will be final. (Art XII, Sec 3)

Question 13

What form must be submitted and when if an unsatisfactory rating report is considered?

Answer 13

100 days prior to the service or longevity step increase for an officer or employee, other than a probationer, the responsible officer will submit an F.D. Form 50.1 to the Fire Chief stating whether or not an unsatisfactory rating is contemplated for the officer or employee concerned.
(Art XII, Sec 4)

Question 14

What is ANPUR?

Answer 14

No officer or employee will be assigned a rating of unsatisfactory unless he/she has been given an Advance Notice of Proposed Unsatisfactory Rating (ANPUR) in writing at least 90 days prior to the effective date of the increase, which informs him ( 1) of the contemplated rating of unsatisfactory, (2) how his/her performance fails to meet requirements, and (3) how he may improve his performance. (Art XII, Sec 4)

Question 15

Who is responsible for submitting an ANPUR?

Answer 15

The ANPUR will be issued only by rating officers (Deputy Fire Chiefs, Assistant Fire Chiefs, or Fire Chief). Any officer below the rank of Deputy Fire Chief who believes that any officer or employee whose performance he recommends should be given an unsatisfactory rating must submit a recommendation to this effect with reasons therefor to the appropriate rating officer by way of a special report. Special reports are to be submitted through the appropriate rating channels. (Art XII, Sec 4)

Question 16

When will the FD Form 50 be prepared, executed, and forwarded?

Answer 16

Fire Department Form 50 will be prepared, executed and forwarded by the responsible officer(s) 30 days prior to the date upon which the rated employee is scheduled to receive a service or longevity step-increase. Members who are recommended for an unsatisfactory rating will have their Form 50 forwarded to their Platoon Deputy Fire Chief. The DFC will maintain these forms while any appeals to the rating are made, and at the end of the appeals process, will forward the form to HR for action. (Art XII, Sec 5)

Question 17

Who prepares the FD Form 50 for firefighters and where is it forwarded? (Operations Div)

Answer 17

Form prepared by Company Commander and forwarded to Battalion Platoon Commander who will forward unsatisfactory recommendations to the appropriate Platoon Deputy Fire Chief for review. Satisfactory recommendations will be kept on file at the company and battalion level.
(Art XII, Sec 5)

Question 18

Who prepares the FD Form 50 for Sgts, Lts, and Capts and where is it forwarded? (Operations Div)

Answer 18

Form prepared by Battalion Platoon Commander who will forward unsatisfactory recommendations to the Platoon Deputy Fire Chief for review. Satisfactory recommendations will be kept on file at the company and battalion level.
(Art XII Sec 5)

Question 19

Who prepares the FD Form 50 for BFCs and where is it forwarded?? (Operations)

Answer 19

Form prepared and rating assigned by Platoon Deputy Fire Chief. Unsatisfactory recommendations will be forwarded to the Assistant Fire Chief Operations for review. Satisfactory ratings will be kept on file at the Battalion level. (Art XII, Sec 5)

Question 20

In divisions other than operations, who prepares the FD Form 50 and where is it sent for employees below the grade of sergeant?

Answer 20

Form prepared by immediate supervisor of employee concerned and forwarded, with recommendation thereon, to Head of Division for rating. Satisfactory ratings will be kept on file at the division level. (Art XII, Sec 5)

Question 21

In divisions other than operations, who prepares the FD Form 50 and where is it sent for officers?

Answer 21

Form prepared and rating assigned by the Head of the Division, who will forward unsatisfactory recommendations to Appropriate Assistant Fire Chief for review. Satisfactory ratings will be kept on file at the division level.

If an officer or employee is to receive an unsatisfactory rating, the Division Head will forward supporting documentation attached to the appropriate Assistant Fire Chief. (Art XII, Sec 5)

Question 22

In divisions other than operations, who prepares the FD Form 50 and where is it sent for Division Heads (Deputy Fire Chief)

Answer 22

Form prepared and rating assigned by the Assistant Fire Chief under whom the member serves. (Art XII, Sec 5)

Question 23

In divisions other than operations, who prepares the FD Form 50 and where is it sent for Assistant Fire Chief?

Answer 23

Form prepared and rating assigned by the Fire and EMS Chief. (Art XII, Sec 5)

Question 24

Who will notify an employee that he has been rated unsatisfactory by his officer?

Answer 24

The Ratings Officer (Art XII, Sec 6)

Question 25

Where will the appeal of an unsatisfactory rating be forwarded?

Answer 25

Such appeals will be forwarded to the Performance Rating Appeals Board for consideration and the employee concerned will be afforded an opportunity to appear before the said Board together with those officers concerned with, and responsible for, his/her rating (Art XII, Sec 6)

Question 26

What is the makeup of the Ratings Repeal Board?

Answer 26

The Performance Rating Appeals Board will consist of three officers of the Department of the rank of Battalion Fire Chief or above and selected by the Fire and EMS Chief. The Chairman of the Board will be designated by the Fire and EMS Chief at the time of selection. This Board will consider all performance rating appeals referred to it by the Fire and EMS Chief. (Art XII, Sec 6)

Question 27

Who shall be excluded from the Ratings Repeal Board?

Answer 27

In no case will an officer serve on the Appeals Board to consider the case of an appellant from his/her division in divisions other than Operations.

In no case will an officer serve on the Appeals Board to consider the case of an appellant from his/her platoon in the Operations Division.
(Art XII, Sec 6)

Question 28

Must the Ratings Repeal Board be unanimous?

Answer 28

Decisions of the Board will be by majority vote and recommendations based on such vote will be forwarded to the Fire and EMS Chief for approval or disapproval.
(Art XII, Sec 7)

Question 29

Is the decision of the Fire Chief regarding the Ratings Repeal Board retroactive?

Answer 29

If, in any case, the final action of the Fire/EMS Chief is taken after the normal due date of the increase, and the action is favorable to the employee, the step increase will be made effective retroactively as of the normal due date.
(Art XII, Sec 7)

Question 30

What charge will be placed against an employee in the advent of 2 consecutive unsatisfactory ratings?

Answer 30

The receipt of two consecutive unsatisfactory ratings by an employee will be sufficient evidence to justify a charge of inefficiency and such employee will be cited before the Trial Board on said charge. (Art XII, Sec 8)

Question 31

In what intervals will an employee who must serve 104 or 156 weeks between rate increases be rated again?

Answer 31

An employee who must serve 104 or 156 weeks between increases and whose increase is denied because of an unsatisfactory performance rating, will be rated again, in the manner prescribed in Section 5, of this Article, at the completion of each 52 weeks of service subsequent to the anniversary date upon which such service or longevity step increase was normally due until he/she is (a) granted such increase, or (b) removed from the service for inefficiency.
(Art XII, Sec 8)

Question 32

How will detailed members be rated?

Answer 32

If an employee, at the time a performance rating is to be submitted on him/her, is detailed to another company or division and has been so detailed for more than 30 days, the recommending officer preparing his/her rating sheet will confer with the Company Commander and heads of divisions other than Operations of the company or division to which he/she is detailed before submitting same (Art XII, Sec 9)

Question 33

How will transferred members be rated?

Answer 33

When a recommending officer feels that he/she has not served a sufficient length of time with an employee being-rated to accurately evaluate his/her performance, such officer will confer with the employee’s former Company Commanders and heads of divisions other than Operations in order to arrive at a proper recommendation.
(Art XII, Sec 9)

Question 34

Who will notify division commanders in change of ratings due dates?

Answer 34

The Human Resource Office will notify division commanders of changes in due date of performance rating sheets for service or longevity step increases occasioned by denial or postponement of such increase as provided in these regulations. Proper entries will be made on personnel record card (F.D. Form 119) of employee concerned whenever such notice is received.
(Art XII, Sec 9)

Question 35

How long must an employee be in a non pay status before his anniversary date will be pushed back?

Answer 35

Whenever a full pay period (80 or 84 hours) in a non-pay status is accumulated in a leave year, the anniversary dates for service or longevity step increase will be postponed one pay period for each full pay period during which the employee was in a non-pay status (unless later reinstated with full pay for the period of non-pay status).
(Art XII, Sec 9)

Question 36

Who will notify Human Resources and how when an employee reaches 80 or 84 hors in a non-pay status?

Answer 36

When an employee reaches 80 or 84 hours of non-pay the timekeeper will submit a Special Report to the Human Resource Office with the supporting documentation, i.e. pay records, suspension notice, etc.
(Art XII, Sec 9)

Question 37

Who is responsible for arranging health care premiums for employees in a non-pay status?

Answer 37

Employees are responsible to arrange for the payment of their share of health benefit premiums while they are in a non-pay status. In order, to continue their coverage for every pay period in which there is no salary withholding for health benefits, the employee may elect to either pay directly to the D.C. Treasurer or have the past due premiums withheld from their future pay upon the employee’s return to pay status (Art XII, Sec 9)

Question 38

May a member cancel his health care enrollment while in a non-pay status?

Answer 38

An employee will have the option of canceling his/her enrollment, but must remember, upon canceling coverage, the employee will not be eligible for reinstatement until the next open season. (Art XII, Sec 9)

Question 39

When is FD Form 50.5 to be completed?

Answer 39

The Employee Performance Evaluation, Form 50.5, is to be completed annually by each employee’s immediate supervisor. The completed forms should be submitted to Battalion Offices by January 15 of the subsequent year. For example, the FEMS Form 50.5 completed for Calendar Year 2016 will be submitted by January 15, 2017. (Art XII, Sec 10)

Question 40

How long and where will the FD Form 50.5 be stored?

Answer 40

Instructions for completing the Employee Performance Evaluation are found on the first page of the form. The forms will be submitted to the personnel authority, and will also be retained for three years in the Company and Battalion personnel folders of the employee being evaluated. (Art XII, Sec 10)

Question 41

May approved extended leave be used against the employee?

Answer 41

No points will be deducted because an employee is on approved extended leave (FMLA, pregnant, SL, etc.).
(Art XII, Sec 10)

Question 42

How will marine crew of the fire boat be selected?

Answer 42

Marine crew of the Fireboat will be selected from Department personnel who have three (3) years of firefighting experience and who possess licenses as outlined in the applicable sections of the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 46, as amended by agreement between the D.C. Fire and EMS Department and the U.S. Coast Guard, Marine Safety Office, Baltimore, Maryland; and when qualified under the Fire and EMS Department’s Merit Promotion System. (Copies of the above agreement are on file at both agencies) (Art XII, Sec 10)

Question 43

What qualifications must a fireboat operator/technician possess?

Answer 43

Must have been assigned to the Fireboat for one year; have 90 days of sea service and hold a USCG License as “Master, Inland, Stream or Motor Vessels not more than 100 Gross Tons. Restricted to the District of Columbia Fireboats only.” (Art XII, Sec 10)

Question 44

What qualifications must a fireboat assistant pilot possess?

Answer 44

Must have been assigned to the Fireboat Company for three (3) years; have 270 days of Sea Service and hold a USCG License as “Master, Inland, Steam or Motor vessels, of not more than 100 Gross Tons with a 15” Class Pilot Endorsement Restricted to the District of Columbia Fireboats.” (Art XII, Sec 10)

Question 45

What qualifications must a fireboat pilot possess?

Answer 45

Must have been assigned to the Fireboat Company for five (5) years; have 450 days of Sea Service. Must have served as Assistant Pilot for one (1) year and hold a USCG license as “Master, Inland, Steam or Motor Vessels, of not more than 150 Gross Tons with a ls” Class Pilot Endorsement Restricted to the District of Columbia Fireboats.”
(Art XII, Sec 10)

Question 46

What qualifications must a fireboat assistant engineer possess?

Answer 46

Must have been assigned to the Fireboat Company for three (3) years; have 270 days of Sea Service and hold a license as “Designated Duty Engineer of Motor Vessels of not more than 2000 Horsepower. Restricted to the District of Columbia Fireboats only.”
(Art XII, Sec 10)

Question 47

What qualifications must a fireboat marine engineer possess?

Answer 47

Must have been assigned to the Fireboat Company for five (5) years; have 450 days of Sea Service and must have served as Assistant Engineer for one (1) year and hold a license as “Designated Duty Engineer of Motor Vessels of 6000 Horsepower. Restricted to the District of Columbia Fireboats only.”
(Art XII, Sec 10)