Human Resources

Volunteer Fire Service

Section: Human Resources Policies
Policy Name: Volunteer Fire Service
Policy Owner: Executive Vice President
Responsible University Office: Office of Human Resources
Origination Date: April 15, 1975
Revisions: June 5, 1989; July 1, 2005; November 18, 2016
Legacy Policy Number: 7-08
  1. SCOPE OF POLICYThis policy addresses volunteer firefighter service during working hours.
  2. POLICY STATEMENTTo assist with the protection and safety of the Newark, Wilmington, Lewes, and other campus communities, the University may release designated employees, who are volunteer firefighters, to assist local fire companies in fighting fires during normal working hours without loss of pay.
  3. POLICY STANDARDS AND PROCEDURESTo qualify for release time under this policy, an employee must secure the written approval of the fire chief of the department for which the employee volunteers and the employee’s supervisor.  The written approval of the fire chief is to be updated annually.  The employee’s supervisor at his/her discretion may restrict an employee’s response to fires as business needs require.  Once the response is initiated, it is understood that the employee represents the fire department and must abide and comply with direction given by the fire chief in command of the incident. The University assumes no liability for any injury or activity arising from volunteer fire service.