Lactation Policy (General Order 08-04)

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms and provisions from Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department’s Lactation Policy General Order 08-04.

Lactation Policy (General Order 08-04)

Prince George’s County Fire/EMS directive, effective 3/9/2021, that sets education and accommodation requirements for members who express breast milk at work.

Benefits of Accommodating Breastfeeding

Promotes infant health, aids maternal healing, reduces sick leave, boosts productivity, improves public image, and lowers employee turnover.

Interactive Accommodation Process

Collaborative discussion between a member and supervisor to tailor milk-expression arrangements while balancing operational needs.

Lactation Accommodation Plan

Written, signed document detailing place(s) to express, break frequency/length, and milk storage; submitted to the supervisor for approval.

Place to Express (Non-Restroom Requirement)

Clean, private, lockable space—other than a restroom—shielded from view and intrusion, with a chair, flat surface, and electrical outlet.

Temporary Lactation Space

Area converted for pumping when no dedicated room exists, provided on demand and located near the member’s work area.

Reasonable Break Time

Time the Department must allow whenever milk expression is needed; often ~15 min., 2–3 times per 8-hour shift, but varies individually.

Out-of-Service Pumping Status

Option for a member to be unavailable for calls up to 1 hour every 3–4 hours to express milk, arranged with the supervisor.

Additional Break Accommodation

Use of annual leave, LWOP, or compensatory leave for longer or extra pumping sessions when standard breaks are insufficient.

Limited EMS Resource Plan (LERP)

Operational condition of reduced resources; during LERP, extra pumping breaks may be denied until normal status resumes.

Re-evaluation Interval

Required meeting every 3 months between member and supervisor to reassess and adjust pumping break frequency and length.

Milk Storage Rule

Expressed milk may be kept in any available refrigerator, must be clearly labeled “expressed milk,” and removed at shift’s end.

Duration of Accommodation

Federal law allows workplace pumping accommodations for up to 1 year post-birth; extensions need Fire Chief or designee approval.

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Nursing Mothers Provision)

Federal law mandating reasonable break time and a suitable non-restroom space for employees to express breast milk.

Fairness for Breastfeeding Mothers Act of 2019

U.S. law requiring many public buildings to provide a clean, private lactation space for visitors and employees.

Maryland State Personnel & Pension Code §2-310

State statute supporting workplace breastfeeding accommodations for Maryland employees.