I.         Overview

             It is the policy of the Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Protection District to encourage career development for all employees, paid and volunteer.

II.        District Sponsored Training is defined as any training outside of normally scheduled drills and classes that is supported financially by the district via tuition, travel costs, or shift coverage.

            A.        Special training offered to the entire organization shall not be considered District Sponsored Training for the purposes of this policy.

            B.        Training required to maintain Paramedic accreditation in El Dorado County shall not be considered District Sponsored Training for the purposes of this policy.

III.      Policy

A.        The district shall support individual career development by financing up to two classes per employee per fiscal year. Approval shall normally be considered on a first-come-first-served basis.

1.         The needs and requirements of the district shall prevail in all decisions related to approval of such training.

2.         Nothing in this policy shall guarantee two classes per year to each employee.

3.         Approvals for any employee to attend more than two District Supported Trainings shall only be made in writing by the Fire Chief.

 B.        Any employee wishing to attend a District Supported Training must request approval in writing from the Training Officer.

 C.        Once approval is obtained to attend the class, the employee is then responsible to request and/or arrange any needed district-approved time off from their immediate supervisor.

 D.        District vehicles may be used to attend District Supported Training. Approval shall be on a case-by-case basis.

 E.        Lodging and meal costs may be approved for out of town classes lasting more than one day if the class is located more than 1.5 hours driving time from Station 49. All other classes shall be considered local training. Exceptions may be made by the Training Officer or the Fire Chief.

 F.        District-approved time off may be granted as outlined below:

             1.         Supervisors may authorize time off for out-of-town classes to include only the time necessary for travel to and from the class, and for the duration of the class.

2.         Supervisors may authorize for local classes. However, full shifts off will not be approved. Employees wishing to take full shifts off for local classes may request vacation, comp time off or trade the shift.

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