10.2 General Rules, Chain of Command & Campus Expectations
Key Takeaways
- Working hours are 0600–1500 unless otherwise stated; recruits must be prepared at 0600 and receive one hour for lunch.
- Absence or tardiness without prior permission is unacceptable; if unable to attend, notify an RTO by 0530.
- Chain of command is Recruit Firefighter → RTO → Division Chief → Deputy Chief; on conflicting orders, advise the second person of the conflict, then comply with the second.
- Immediately report injury/illness; news media contact requires RTO notification and Director of Training consent before interviews; possess a valid Arizona Driver’s License; the Training Academy is a closed campus.
- Address personnel by rank and last name; no cheating/plagiarism or stealing (termination); teamwork, respect, and professionalism on and off duty; no sexual activity or drug/alcohol on FD property or on duty (may lead to termination); clean shaven (men); no phones without RTO approval; positive attitude and excellent customer service; discrimination/harassment strictly forbidden under City of Phoenix workplace rules.
10.2 General Rules, Chain of Command & Campus Expectations
Quick Answer: Hours are 0600–1500 with one hour lunch; be prepared at 0600. Notify an RTO by 0530 if unable to attend. Chain: Recruit Firefighter → RTO → Division Chief → Deputy Chief. On conflicting orders: advise the second person of the conflict, then comply with the second. Report injury/illness immediately; media needs RTO notice and Director of Training consent. Hold a valid Arizona Driver’s License; closed campus; address by rank and last name. No cheating/plagiarism or stealing; teamwork, respect, professionalism on/off duty; no sexual activity or drugs/alcohol on FD property/on duty (termination risk); men clean shaven; no phones without approval; positive attitude and excellent customer service; discrimination/harassment forbidden.
Section Six’s policies exist to give recruits clarity and understanding of expectations. Recruits are expected to provide self-discipline, self-motivation, and initiative to follow these rules—not wait to be micromanaged into compliance.
Hours, readiness, and attendance
Core schedule rules from the packet:
| Rule | Expectation |
|---|---|
| Working hours | 0600–1500 unless stated otherwise, or unless the recruit requests to stay late for assisted practice |
| Lunch | One hour |
| Start readiness | Prepared to accept assignments at 0600 |
| Absence/tardiness | Without prior permission = unacceptable; may lead to disciplinary action |
| Unable to attend | Call and notify an RTO by 0530 (cell, pager, or home) |
| Unusual incidents | Birth, serious illness, family death, etc.—report to RTO as soon as possible |
Exam trap: confusing 0530 notification with 0600 start. You must be ready at 0600 and call by 0530 if you cannot attend.
Chain of command and conflicting orders
The official chain for recruits is short and must be memorized in order:
- Recruit Firefighter
- RTO
- Division Chief
- Deputy Chief
Recruits shall follow the chain of command: (Recruit Firefighter to RTO to Division Chief to Deputy Chief).
Conflicting orders rule (high-yield)
If a Recruit receives an order that conflicts with a previous order, the Recruit shall advise the person giving the second order of the conflict and then comply with the second person’s instructions.
Two steps—do not invent a third:
- Advise the second person of the conflict (do not silently ignore either order).
- Comply with the second person’s instructions.
This is classic written-exam material: communication of conflict first, obedience to the second order second.
Injury, illness, and media
| Situation | Required action |
|---|---|
| Injury or illness | Immediately report to RTO and complete forms as directed |
| News media contact while on duty | Notify an RTO immediately before answering questions |
| Interviews | Shall NOT grant interviews without consent of the Director of Training |
Recruits do not freelance public statements. Media access is controlled for the integrity of the Academy and the department.
Campus logistics and professional presentation
| Topic | Packet standard |
|---|---|
| Driver’s license | Valid Arizona Driver’s License required |
| Parking | Designated parking areas only |
| Security/cleanliness | Secure lockers and personal vehicles; keep locker rooms, classrooms, and apparatus bay clean |
| Refrigerators | Recruit responsibility to keep them CLEAN |
| Campus | Training Academy is a closed campus |
| Messages | May be received in the office (602-262-6393) for referral |
| Address | All personnel by rank and last name |
| RTO offices (2nd floor) | Knock loudly and announce presence |
| Uniform | Clean and in designated uniform when reporting to classroom or RTO office |
| Statutes/rules | Adhere to Federal, State, Local statutes and City/Department rules |
| Disruptive/unsafe behavior | Not tolerated; no behavior risking injury to self or others |
Ethics, teamwork, and professionalism
Termination-level integrity lines
| Conduct | Consequence language |
|---|---|
| Cheating, plagiarism, or other dishonest activity | Unacceptable; will lead to termination |
| Stealing personal or City property | Will be terminated |
| Sexual activity on Fire Department property or while on duty | Violation may lead to termination |
| Drug or alcohol use on Fire Department property or while on duty | Violation may lead to termination |
Daily professional standards
- Teamwork: help each other during tasks, including getting ready and clean up—teamwork is “what the Fire Service is all about.”
- Respect: for each other and all crews/instructors on and off duty.
- Agencies: maintain excellent rapport with all agencies.
- Professionalism: be professional at all times (on and off duty).
- Grooming: well-groomed and clean shaven (men) each day.
- Phones/pagers: none worn without prior approval of an RTO.
- Attitude: maintain a positive attitude and deliver excellent Customer Service at all times.
On/off-duty language is intentional. Recruit identity is not “academy hours only.” Conduct after hours still represents the department.
Discrimination and harassment (City of Phoenix workplace rules)
Discrimination and/or harassment of any employee by another are strictly forbidden. The City of Phoenix (and participating cities) maintains a workplace free of discrimination based on:
- Race
- National origin
- Color
- Disability
- Religion
- Gender
- Marital status
Additionally, the city maintains a workplace free of sexual harassment and all forms of sexual intimidation or exploitation. Harassment can include offensive sexual behavior/intimidation and other forms such as posters, magazines, calendars, cartoons, photographs, jokes, gestures, or comments of a sexual, hostile, or degrading nature. Both men and women can be victims.
The City will take action to prevent and correct such behavior. Individuals who engage in it are subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
How Section 10.2 shows up on the exam
Expect items that ask:
- Duty hours? → 0600–1500; one hour lunch; prepared at 0600
- Call-in deadline? → notify RTO by 0530
- Chain of command order? → Recruit → RTO → Division Chief → Deputy Chief
- Conflicting orders? → advise second person, then comply with second
- Media interviews? → RTO immediately; Director of Training consent
- License? → valid Arizona Driver’s License
- Campus type? → closed campus
- How to address people? → rank and last name
- Cheating/stealing? → termination
- Sex or drugs/alcohol on property/on duty? → may lead to termination
- Phones? → no wear without RTO approval
- Discrimination/harassment? → strictly forbidden; discipline up to termination
Study checklist for Section 10.2
- Hours 0600–1500; ready at 0600; lunch 1 hour.
- 0530 RTO notification if unable to attend.
- Chain: Recruit Firefighter → RTO → Division Chief → Deputy Chief.
- Conflict rule: advise → comply with second order.
- Injury/illness: immediate RTO report + forms.
- Media: RTO first; no interview without Director of Training consent.
- AZ license; closed campus; rank + last name; knock/announce at RTO offices.
- No cheating/plagiarism; no stealing; teamwork; respect; professionalism on/off duty.
- No sexual activity or drug/alcohol on FD property or on duty.
- Clean shaven (men); no phones without approval; positive attitude + excellent customer service.
- Discrimination/harassment forbidden under City of Phoenix workplace standards.
If unable to attend Recruit Training class for any reason, by what time must a recruit call and notify an RTO?
What is the correct chain of command for Phoenix Firefighter Recruits according to the study packet?
If a recruit receives an order that conflicts with a previous order, what must the recruit do?
Which of the following is most accurate regarding media contact for recruits while on duty?