PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:
NFPA 1021 4.2.4

OBJECTIVES

1. Examine the concept of progressive discipline

2. Determine fire officer challenges within the twenty-first century

INSTRUCTIONS

For this assignment you are to read the case study assigned below. After reading through the case study, you should answer each of the subsequent questions with an essay response with at least 200 words or more. You should use appropriate APA style writing and cite any sources you use.

REFERENCE SOURCE

NFPA 1021 4.2.4

Fire Fighter Hicks of the Parkville Fire Department is a 12 year veteran of the department and has always been a steady employee. Three years ago he was promoted to sergeant/driver and moved to your station. The two of you, being avid bass anglers, have become good friends, going fishing together whenever you can.

Five months ago, however, Hicks' wife and nine-year-old daughter were both killed in an auto accident when a drunk driver ran a stop light. Since that time you have noticed a vast change in Hicks. He has taken vacation time almost every shift he could and called in sick on several occasions when you knew he was not. On the shifts he does come to work, he arrives either late or just in time for shift change and then spends the day locked up in his bedroom, coming out only for alarms and to eat. Though all of this is against regulations, because of what happened and your friendship, you have taken no official action.

You have tried to talk to him about this on several occasions but without much success. However, the other men on the shift are beginning to get weary of Hicks' behavior and their grumbling is coming to you. On this day the pattern of the past months is already started with Hicks' coming in just in time to avoid being late, doing just what is necessary for morning cleanup and going to his room. You have decided to once again meet with Hicks and try to talk to him. To let him know if things don't change, you are going to have to start some type of corrective action.

Before you can set up the meeting, the alarm goes off to dispatch your engine on a wreck with injury at the intersection of Third and Elm. Upon arrival you quickly do a scene assessment and notice the injuries are all minor in nature. You overhear one of the police officers talking about arresting the drunk. Assigning the paramedics to deal with the two minor injuries, you turn your attention to where Hicks is talking to one of the drivers. As you approach, you can hear the injured driver slurring his words and notice he is staggering. Before you can get any closer, a stream of curse words comes from the driver directed at Hicks, who draws back and hits the man square on the jaw, putting him out like a light. Provide your response to the following questions.

1. What are your immediate actions?
2. What do you intend to do when you get back to the station?
3. On arriving back at the station, Hicks breaks down and begins to cry uncontrollably. What do you do?
4. In looking back, should you have done anything prior to today? If so, what?

You should respond to the case study in a separate word document, in a minimum of 2 pages, with appropriate APA style writing.