These policies exist to regulate the use of emergency vehicles by personnel while off-duty.
Employee's Responsibility. Employees who do not possess a Home-Garaging Authority are not permitted to operate a Department-owned vehicle while off-duty. Additionally, firefighters shall not outfit their personal vehicles with emergency lights and sirens for fire/medical/general rescue response purposes.
Regular Work Location - Where the Department usually requires the home-garaging employee to report for work at the beginning of each tour of duty.
Off-hour - An employee off-duty and prior to the beginning of their next normal tour of duty.
A Home-Garaging Authority allows firefighters to drive Department vehicles during off-hours and garage that vehicle away from the regular work location.
The use of all home-garaged vehicles, excluding transportation to and from work, will be restricted to the performance of official duties. Personal use of home-garaged vehicles is prohibited.
When not in use, all home-garaged vehicles must be properly sheltered in a locked garage (or other approved secure location) and provided with adequate security to safeguard the vehicle and its contents.
Persons riding as passengers in home-garaged vehicles shall be limited to Department personnel, or other City/County employees when it can be demonstrated that such riding is in the best interest of the City/County or the Department.
Only Department personnel shall be permitted to operate a home-garaged vehicle.
Employees assigned to the following divisions may have a Home-Garaging Authority:
Arson Counter-Terrorism Section
Bomb Squad Unit
Joint Hazard Assessment Team
Tactical Emergency Medical Support Unit
Other employees assigned a Home Garaging Authority include Assistant Chiefs and above; and, any Commanding Officer.