Crime & Safety

Facebook, Twitter Policy Headed to Mehlville Fire

Mehlville Fire Chief Brian Hendricks introduced a social media policy at Thursday's board meeting and directors will consider the plan at the next meeting—July 18 at 5 p.m.

The is considering a social media policy that would allow monitoring of employee postings and district-provided devices.

Chief Brian Hendricks introduced the policy at Thursday’s board meeting and directors will consider the plan at the next meeting—July 18 at 5 p.m.

The policy addition is proactive, Hendricks said. The district hasn’t had any issues with employees using social media inappropriately, but is trying to stay ahead of the curve.

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Most departments have social media policies, and Mehlville’s would lay the framework and foundation for what employees can and can’t do.

“It’s something to help set expectations and protect the public,” Deputy Chief Dan La Fata said. “We deal with a lot of sensitive information.”

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The policy states that the district can review employee Facebook, Twitter, blog and other posts, expecting professionalism on and off-duty.

Here are a few other points in the policy (the full version is attached to this article):

  • Employees cannot use fire district equipment, including computers, company-licensed software or other electronic equipment, apparatus, facilities or company time to conduct personal blogging or social networking activities.
  • Employees shall not participate in social networking activities while on duty, in uniform or on District property.
  • Unless specifically instructed, employees are not authorized and therefore restricted to speak on behalf of Mehlville Fire Protection District. 
  • While on duty, employees shall not use personal devices (photos, audio, video or journals) to record any type of event or emergency response.  Further, employees shall not post any inappropriate images. 
  • The District may monitor all messages and information on District provided communication devices or equipment while employees are both on and off duty. Employees need to anticipate their District provided communication devices or equipment may be monitored for seemingly routine business purposes or no purpose at all.
  • Employees shall consent to a search by Mehlville Fire Protection District on any District communication device or equipment or an employee’s physical space or office whether there is a “work related purpose” or not.


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