NENA Ethics & Code of Conduct

To work in 9-1-1 is to be part of one of the most important institutions in America and across the globe. Since the first 9-1-1 call was placed in February of 1968, untold millions of lives have been saved because of 9-1-1 professionals’ dedication to public safety and service. NENA: The 9-1-1 Association – comprised of its members, board, staff, volunteers, and event participants – is a community for all who are devoted to carrying this legacy forward and setting the standard for excellence in the industry. To do so, NENA strives to exemplify and embody the core values of respect, integrity, commitment, and cooperation.

Each association member, volunteer, and event attendee shall:

1. Represent the association honestly and professionally and refuse to surrender any responsibility to special-interest or partisan political groups;

2. Avoid any conflict of interest or impropriety which could result from her or his position, and refrain from using her or his status as an association member for personal gain or publicity;

3. Take no public or private action that might compromise the actions, mission, reputation, or integrity of NENA, and respect the confidentiality of confidential information obtained in the representation of the association;

4. Only exercise that authority which is lawful;

5. Abide by the bylaws, policies, and procedures of the association;

6. Foster an environment of cooperation and collaboration that engenders trust, openness and confidence – one where diverse perspectives and views are encouraged and valued;

7. Encourage the free expression, through proper channels and means, of opinions held by others;

8. Faithfully and diligently perform all duties properly assigned;

9. Disclose and refuse any gift, loan, reward, or promise of future employment offered in exchange for a commitment to vote or take any other action affecting association business;

10. Follow all accounting rules and financial controls imposed by the association;

11. Follow all laws relative to the ethical conduct of a not-for-profit corporation;

12. Conduct herself or himself in a fair, honest, responsible, trustworthy and unbiased manner;

13. Conduct the business of the association without respect of persons, keeping deliberations and actions free from bias, prejudice, harassment, and discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, political affiliation, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.

14. Remain professional and respectful to others in both word and deed at all times;

15. Be protective of NENA, its brands, services, and reputation in all communications;

16. Be committed to excelling in her or his role and support her or his peers’ efforts to do the same; and

17. Share the association’s goals of improving 9-1-1 and the 9-1-1 industry; facilitating growth, change, and innovation; developing leaders; driving diversity; and creating community.

Individuals determined by the CEO, the Board of Directors, or its designee, to have violated the terms of this policy may, at NENA’s sole discretion, be subject to the application of measures that may include notification of the person’s agency or employer, forfeiture of event attendance, or revocation of membership. Should the NENA Board, or its designee, determine to remove an attendee from a NENA event or revoke membership, then it shall provide the affected person with an opportunity to respond to NENA’s concerns or allegations.

The above has been edited for clarity and is an abridged version of the board-approved Ethics & Code of Conduct Policy. See the full policy here.