The Fayetteville, Arkansas, City Council has unanimously passed an ordinance to enact the Firefighter Bill of Rights, which codifies basic protections for fire fighters during disciplinary actions and promotions.
Fayetteville is the first municipality in Arkansas to do so.
“Congratulations to Local 2866 President Jimmy Vineyard and his members for getting the Firefighter Bill of Rights passed and codifying these important protections,” 14th District Vice President Danny Todd said. “We hope Fayetteville is just the first of many municipalities to take this important action.”
The Arkansas Professional Fire Fighters (APFF) successfully lobbied state legislators to pass Act 686 earlier this year. The law, which went into effect Aug. 5, created the framework for the Firefighter Bill of Rights. Municipal governments must pass a local ordinance to enact the rights.
Key protections include the right to be notified of the nature of an investigation, the right to representation during questioning, and protection from retaliation for speaking out against wrongdoing.
“We have spent years building relationships and educating our state representatives and senators to gather the support for this new law,” APFF Political Director Matthew Stallings said. “Now, in every city that passes this ordinance, procedures will be in place to ensure disciplinary procedures are consistent and fair. We congratulate our Local 2866 members for being the first.”
The Fayetteville Fire Department already followed several Firefighter Bill of Rights provisions, including recording disciplinary interviews and allowing representation. But the ordinance makes these practices official department policy and ensures fairness and consistency going forward.
“We are fortunate to have the strong support of our mayor, Molly Rawn, and our city council members. When we went to them about this ordinance, they did not hesitate to offer their support,” Fayetteville Local 2866 President Jimmy Vineyard said. “Our members are now assured that consistent, proper procedures will be followed in disciplinary cases.”
Stallings and Vineyard said other municipalities and Locals have expressed interest in passing the ordinance as well.
