Two new policies for fire department

MILLBROOK — The Millbrook Fire Department is working to put forth two new policies that will directly affect its members. Chief Ted Bownas from the Millbrook Fire Department presented his ideas at the Tuesday, Oct. 26, Village Board meeting. The first is for a social media policy and the second is for a medical leave policy. Mayor Laura Hurley said that she had forwarded both policies to Village Attorney Rebecca Valk to review.Hurley said that the social media policy is important because so many people are on social media websites such as Facebook. The mayor is considering making a similar version of the policy for the village; she said she will be discussing that further with the board at a later date.“On these social media sites people can often be foolish and put out pictures and comments that may be unprofessional,” said Hurley. “We are not going to infringe on anyone’s constitutional rights; you can say what you want, but if you are going to say it don’t put out that you are a member of the Millbrook Fire Department and represent yourself as one, or act with some decorum if you are going to represent yourself as a member of the fire department.”Hurley said that she felt the policy was a great idea for the fire department. Bownas presented the policy to the board in order to receive both recognition and approval for the fire department to enact it for their members.The second policy Bownas discussed with the board was a health and safety policy. Hurley said in order for members of the fire department to obtain medical leave they need to have confirmation of their illness/injury from a doctor, as well as notification of when the particular member can be expected to return to work.“Whether it’s a physical ailment we need to be assured our volunteers are capable of going out in the field,” said Hurley. “And you know you may be physically capable but there are also things that require strong mental constitution as well, that these men and women deal with. So that’s a very important policy to put into place.”Bownas said that the policies were written by fire department officers, but that they need to be approved by the Village Board. The board still needs to look over and review the policies before making final approvals.