BILLINGS, Mont. — The firefighters’ union here is challenging a Billings Fire Department policy that demands that on- or off-duty employees notify supervisors when contacted by the news media.

International Association of Firefighters Local 521 says the policy violates freedom of speech. The union’s legal team in Washington, D.C., is likely to issue an opinion on the policy in the coming week, said Dan Cotrell, Local 521 president.

“It’s obvious it is not OK to talk to the press,” said Cotrell, who finds some of the policy’s language contradictory.

The language regarding off-duty firefighters appears to concern the union, but that concern is unnecessary because the policy applies only to Billings Fire Department matters, said John Staley, interim fire chief.

The policy sent to fire stations early this month has a portion to address nonemergency incidents and one addressing emergencies.

The emergency section details who may release information and which officers may sanction interviews or news-media requests for information. The section on nonemergency incidents sets forth which administrators must be notified of requests for interviews.

“All we want somebody to do is notify their supervisor so we know,” Staley said. “It’s a respect thing. It’s chain of command.”

Staley said the policy is a way to ensure that city administrators are aware of news-media reporting and can be prepared when City Council members and residents request more information.

In discussing the policy with the Billings Gazette, he said that after being interviewed by the newspaper, he would send City Administrator Tina Volek an e-mail informing her that he had met with a reporter and discussed the policy.

Staley said the policy needs tweaking, but overall it requires “nothing more than we’ve ever done in the past.”