Removal Date:          RETAIN                                                                      Memo #: 08-011 R

 To:                  All Career & Volunteer  Personnel

From:             Rick Dunn, Assistant Chief of professional Services 

 Date:              June 30, 2008 

 Re:                 Class  Attendance  Procedures 

This past year has brought a new found desire by the department’s staff to pursue education. To facilitate this training,  

 the department was budgeted more funds for training than ever before. We are creating opportunities for training through  

 an open enrollment funding system and department/shift level training.

In the fiscal year 2007/2008, the department has documented thousands of compliancy based training hours above  

pervious years. We have also spent $54,628 as compared to pervious years’ average of $35,124.  This is an  

effort to provide the resources to develop a better prepared department and individuals.

In this same fiscal year, we documented $1,175.00 of invoices for employees not showing up for class when scheduled  

and not taking the responsibility to make proper notifications of their expected absences. This is not acceptable.

Beginning July 1, 2008, the department will continue to fund training and education for approved training programs.  

The bulk of these programs are listed in the current Columbia Fire Training catalog. Other specialized program will be  

funded on a case by case basis with approval from the command staff. We have budgeted for this high level of  

education again this year. We are also implementing the following directives:

            If signed up for a SC Fire Academy class, whether for promotional requirements or personal development,  

            it is your responsibility to either attend the program or call to cancel in the event of unforeseen circumstances.  

            You are not responsible for classes  that the CFD Training Bureau coordinates or schedules such as multi-company drills. 

            If you have not received conformation for any class within two weeks of the beginning of  the class, you must call the  

            SC Fire Academy and verify your enrollment in  the class. The Training Bureau will continue to send conformations  

            when they receive them, but it is your responsibility to call to verify.

            If an unforeseen situation should arise and you are unable to attend the class, you must    

            call the SC Fire Academy Cancellation Hotline at 803-896-9804 before the start of the class.

 If you fail to properly follow this cancellation notification policy and the department is charged for the “no show”,  

 the individual will face progressive disciplinary action as outlined in ADM -033: Disciplinary Action,V.17