GENERAL ORDER 530.01 LOGISTICS Issue Date: 02/09/2006 Revision Date: 01/23/2014

1 APPLICABILITY

2 All Personnel

3 POLICY 4 Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (the Department) Bureau of Logistics 5 shall be responsible for developing specifications, along with the obtaining and issuing 6 of uniforms for all personnel. 7 8 General 9 Issuance of uniform items shall be in accordance with the Assigned Quantities Section of this 10 order (Attachment A). 11 12 Issuance of uniforms for part‐time and/or contingent personnel shall be coordinated by the 13 Bureau of Logistics with the respective Bureau Chief. 14 15 Volunteer companies in Howard County may requisition items from the Supply Unit for their 16 volunteer personnel. The requisitions for volunteer personnel shall be approved by the 17 Volunteer Chief or any other authorized corporate officer. 18 19 All uniform items issued to all personnel shall remain the property of Howard County 20 Department of Fire and Rescue Services. When transferred, the member shall move all issued 21 uniform items to their new assignment. Upon resignation or termination, the individual shall 22 return all required items to the Bureau of Logistics, in coordination with the Administrative 23 Services Bureau. 24 25 Specifications for uniforms and accessories shall be approved by the Chief of the Department or 26 his/her designee. 27 28 Provisions pertaining to uniform allocations within County Policies and/or the Employee 29 Manual are considered part of this order. 30 31 Synthetic “moisture wicking” fitness attire may not be worn at any time while on‐duty. 32

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33 Uniform policies and procedures for individuals assigned to non‐traditional field positions such 34 as Fire Inspectors, Fire Investigators and non‐uniformed personnel assigned to the Office of 35 Emergency Management may be developed by the respective Bureau Chief subject to approval 36 by the Chief of the Department, or his/her designee. 37 38 Uniform policies and procedures for civilian employees will be determined by their respective 39 Bureau Chief, as necessary. 40 41 Class A 42 The Class A uniform is a full uniform that may be worn anytime throughout the year. It 43 shall be worn when members attend departmental funerals, awards presentations, graduation 44 ceremonies, or special occasions authorized by the Chief of the Department or Volunteer Chief 45 for volunteer personnel. 46 47 • The Class A uniform may be worn by retired members of the Department. A 48 “Retired” emblem shall be added to the uniform under the Department patch. 49 50 The Class A uniform shall be worn by all full‐time career personnel and consist of the following 51 items: 52 53 • Navy blue uniform (appropriate to rank) 54 • Navy blue dress (females may substitute an A‐line ) 55 • White or powder blue long sleeve dress uniform (appropriate to rank) 56 • All personnel at the rank of Lieutenant and above shall wear a white dress uniform 57 shirt. 58 • Black and tie tack (department issued) 59 • Plain white t‐shirt. Prohibited are T‐ whereas letters, silk screen, stencil, 60 embroidery, or other markings may be seen through the outer shirt. 61 • Badge, name plate, collar insignias (appropriate to rank), and lapel insignias 62 • Union pin, service wreath/pin, Special Operations Pin, and/or award ribbons 63 (optional) 64 • Navy blue or black (unless white is prescribed by a physician) 65 • Dress with badge (appropriate to rank). To be worn at all times while outdoors 66 • Department issued black with silver or gold (department issued) belt buckle 67 (appropriate to rank) 68 • Black dress (non‐safety style) 69 • Optional all‐weather / (purchased through the supply unit at 70 employee expense) 71 72 73

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74 Class B 75 The Class B uniform is a semi‐dress uniform that consists of a summer service (short sleeve) and 76 winter service (long sleeved) version. The winter service version may be worn anytime st st 77 throughout the year, but shall be worn from November 1 to March 31 . The summer service 78 version shall be the primary uniform from April 1st to October 31st. The appropriate Class B 79 uniform shall be worn by members assigned to staff positions, and/or other personnel while 80 performing such duties as but are not limited to, non‐emergent, non‐operational contact with 81 the public, public education details, classroom training sessions, modified duty, meetings/visits 82 at county government administrative buildings and/or private business sites, or as otherwise 83 directed by the respective supervisor. 84 85 The Class B uniform shall consist of the following items: 86 87 • Navy blue staff trousers or navy blue long duty trousers (appropriate to assignment). 88 • White or powder blue long or short sleeved dress uniform shirt (appropriate to rank) 89 • All personnel at the rank of Lieutenant and above shall wear a white uniform shirt. 90 • Department issued black necktie and tie tack (to be worn with long sleeve dress 91 uniform shirts only) 92 • Ties are not required for field personnel unless involved in activities described in 93 lines 80‐83. 94 • Plain white t‐shirt. Prohibited are T‐shirts whereas letters, silk screen, stencil, 95 embroidery, or other markings may be seen through the outer shirt. 96 • Badge, name plate, collar insignias (appropriate to rank) 97 • Union pin and/or Special operations pin (optional). 98 • Navy blue or black socks (unless white is prescribed by a physician). 99 • Department issued black belt with silver or gold (department issued) belt buckle 100 (appropriate to rank) 101 • Black dress shoes for staff assignments or black safety shoes/ for field 102 assignments 103 • Uniformed employees on modified duty may wear other appropriate with 104 the approval of their modified duty assignment supervisor. 105 o Personnel on modified maternity duty may wear appropriate maternity clothing. 106 107 Personnel may wear business casual attire when their assignment does not require a 108 Department uniform. Business casual is defined as follows: 109 • Women: A reasonable length skirt or trousers of a non‐ material combined with 110 a (such as a , polo, or set) is considered acceptable. An 111 informal dress with appropriate skirt length is also acceptable. 112 113 • Men: A combination of collared shirt (such as a dress shirt or ), cotton 114 trousers (such as khakis or blue, green, brown, or black trousers) with a belt. Jeans

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115 are not acceptable business casual attire. A or business can optionally 116 be added. 117 118 The Department issued Gore‐Tex jacket, Hi‐Visibility jacket, job shirt, sweat shirt, sweater, 119 baseball style hat, optional all‐weather raincoat/overcoat, knit or other Bureau approved 120 apparel are the only articles authorized to be worn as outer garments with Class B uniforms. 121 122 Class C 123 The Class C uniform is a casual or work uniform that shall only be worn by emergency services 124 personnel assigned to field operations positions for all duties not requiring a Class A, Class B, or 125 Class D uniform. 126 127 The Class C uniform shall be worn by all full‐time career personnel and consist of the following 128 items: 129 130 • Issued Navy blue long or short duty trousers st st 131 • Short duty trousers will be worn between June 1 and August 31 , during the 132 designated summer season only. 133 • Navy blue or white long or short sleeve duty shirt 134 o Firefighters, Lieutenants and Captains – Blue Tees 135 o Battalion Chiefs – White Tees 136 • Black low‐quarter safety shoes (Oxford or tennis style) 137 • Black boots – not to exceed ten inches in height as measured from the floor. 138 o Boots are not to be worn with uniform . 139 • Navy blue or black socks (unless white is prescribed by a physician) – the socks shall not 140 extend up the leg beyond twelve inches as measured from the floor. 141 • Department issued black belt with silver or gold (department issued) belt buckle 142 (appropriate to rank) 143 o The Department issued Gore‐Tex jacket, Hi‐Visibility jacket, job shirt, sweat shirt, 144 sweater, baseball style hat, optional all‐weather raincoat/overcoat, , or 145 other Bureau approved apparel are the only articles authorized to be worn as outer 146 garments with Class C uniforms. 147 148 Class D 149 The Class D uniform is a physical training uniform that shall be worn by members during on‐ 150 duty physical training (PT) activities. 151 152 The Class D uniform shall consist of the following items: 153 154 • Navy blue sweatshirt with approved logo 155 • Gray physical training shirt with approved logo 156 • Gray physical training shorts with approved logo GO 530.01 Uniforms Page 4 of 10

157 • Gray sweat pants with approved logo 158 • Shoes suitable for physical training (provided by the employee) 159 • Physical training apparel is only to be worn during the period designated for such 160 activity. Members responding to emergency incidents may wear physical training 161 apparel with the appropriate level of personal protective clothing. 162 163 Accessories (Refer to Attachment B for proper display of insignia, accessories and awards.) 164 Accessories include: 165 166 • Shirt/blouse badge 167 • Dress hat badge 168 • Collar insignias 169 • Lapel insignias 170 • Nameplate 171 • Medals, ribbons, service wreath/pin 172 • Tie tack 173 • Belt and belt buckle 174 Accessory colors shall be as follows: 175 176 • Captains and above – Gold 177 • All others – Silver 178 o Only approved insignias, stripes, patches, logos and designs shall be worn with 179 the appropriate class uniform. 180 181 Collar insignias and all badges (shirt and hat) shall be as follows (Attachment D): 182 183 • 5‐ crossed bugles Fire Chief 184 • 4‐ crossed bugles Deputy Chief 185 • 3‐ crossed bugles Assistant Chief 186 • 2‐ crossed bugles Battalion Chief 187 • 2‐ vertical bugles Captain 188 • 1‐ vertical bugle Lieutenant 189 • Fire Dept. Scramble Firefighter 190 191 Shirt badges shall be worn above the left pocket on the Class A uniform blouse, dress uniform 192 shirt, and other garments, as required. 193 194 Braids (stripes) shall be sewn on the sleeves of the Class A uniform blouse. The striping shall 195 begin 3” from the bottom of the sleeves and evenly spaced, ¼” apart. Braids identifying rank 196 shall be as follows:

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197 • 5‐ ½” gold braids Fire Chief 198 • 4‐ ½” gold braids Deputy Chief 199 • 3‐ ½” gold braids Assistant Chief 200 • 2‐ ½” gold braids Battalion Chief 201 • 1‐ ½” gold braids Captain 202 • 1‐ ½” silver braid Lieutenant 203 204 The approved Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services’ patch shall be worn on 205 the left sleeve; positioned as specified in the uniform specifications of the Class A uniform 206 blouse, dress uniform shirts, , and coveralls. 207 208 The Volunteer company approved patch shall be worn by all volunteer personnel on the left 209 sleeve; positioned as specified in the uniform specifications of the Class A uniform blouse, dress 210 uniform shirts, jackets, and coveralls. 211 212 One State of Maryland certification patch (i.e. paramedic, etc.) may be worn on the right 213 sleeve; positioned as specified in the uniform specifications of the Class A uniform blouse, dress 214 uniform shirts, jackets, and coveralls. 215 216 The department patch in a logo design (or other approved logo design) will be imprinted or 217 embroidered on duty shirts, physical training apparel, sweatshirts, sweat pants, job shirts, 218 baseball style , and knit . Location shall be above the left breast on all shirt type items 219 and on the left upper thigh of pant‐type items. 220 221 • In order to promote esprit de corps, individual companies/shifts/stations may develop 222 designs/logos/patches. The designs/logos/patches shall not be discriminatory towards 223 any individuals, groups, or particular shifts. Personnel, at their own expense, may wear 224 uniform apparel with company/shift/station/logos/patches, as long as such apparel and 225 designs/logos/patches are the same size, color, and style as the county’s standard issue. 226 Company patches may be worn on the right sleeve of the job shirt centered 1” below 227 the top seam. Any such apparel, with designs/logos/patches requires prior written 228 approval by the Chief of the Department or his/her designee. Wearing items that are 229 not approved may subject individuals to action(s) outlined in the following documents: 230 GO 110.22 Code of Conduct and GO 110.13 General Disciplinary 231 232 The Bureau of Logistics’ Supply Unit will maintain a record of approved designs/logos/patches 233 by listing a name, a written description, and/or picture/drawing, and the date approval. . 234 Name plates shall be worn on the right side of the Class A uniform blouse, dress uniform shirts, 235 or other garments, as required. The name plate should be centered above the pocket flap, with 236 its’ bottom edge above and directly adjacent to the top of the pocket flap (Attachment B, Figure 237 13 and 15). 238 GO 530.01 Uniforms Page 6 of 10

239 Heroism – Meritorious Service Medals / Ribbons shall be centered ½” above the name plate. 240 (Attachment B, Figure 13 and 16). 241 • Multiple ribbons shall be worn in rows, with no more than three (3) ribbons per row. 242 They shall be worn with the bottom of each row touching the top of the row beneath it. 243 • If the number of ribbons worn causes the ribbons to be concealed by the lapel, 244 ribbons shall be placed in successively decreasing rows; e.g., 3‐ribbon rows, 2‐ribbon 245 rows, single ribbon. The right (outer) edge of all decreasing rows will be in line vertically; 246 except when the top row presents an unsatisfactory appearance when so aligned, it will 247 be placed in the position presenting the neatest appearance (usually centered over the 248 row immediately below it) (Attachment B, Figure 13 and 16). 249 • Additional single ribbons of the same award shall be exchanged for a single ribbon with 250 a star. Each subsequent award will be exchanged for a single ribbon with an additional 251 star. (First award: original ribbon; second award: ribbon with one (1) star; third award: 252 ribbon with two (2) stars etc. up to four (4) stars). 253 • Ribbons of Valor shall always be worn above all other (Attachment B, Figure 13 and 16). 254 • The right side is the sleeve side; the left side is the button side. 255 • Merit order of departmental ribbons from highest to lowest: 256 o Medal of Valor – Gold: Red – Gold – Gold ‐ Red ribbon (Attachment B, Figure 1) 257 o Medal of Valor – Silver: Red – Gray – Gray – Red ribbon (Attachment B, Figure 2) 258 o Medal of Valor – Bronze: Red – White – White – Red ribbon (Attachment B, 259 Figure 3) 260 o Meritorious Service Ribbon: Green – Green – Green – Green ribbon (Attachment 261 B, Figure 4) 262 o Fire Officer‐of‐the‐Year Ribbon : Red – Red – White – White ribbon (Attachment 263 B, Figure 5) 264 o Firefighter‐of‐the‐Year Ribbon: Red – Red – Blue – Blue ribbon (Attachment B, 265 Figure 6) 266 o Chief’s Award Ribbon : Gold – White – White – Gold ribbon (Attachment B, 267 Figure 7) 268 o Quality of Care Ribbon: Blue – Blue – Blue – Blue ribbon (Attachment B, Figure 8) 269 o Gift of Life Ribbon: Purple – White – White – Purple ribbon (Attachment , Figure 270 9) 271 o Citations of Honor Ribbon: (Safety, Community Risk Reduction, Leadership, 272 Mentoring, and Great Idea): Blue – White – White – Blue ribbon (Attachment, 273 Figure 10) 274 o Special Projects Ribbon: Gold – Green – Green – Gold ribbon (Attachment B, 275 Figure 11) 276 o Accreditation Ribbon: Red – White – Blue – Gold ribbon (Attachment B, Figure 11 277 12) 278 o All other ribbons in order of issuance

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279 o The most current Fire and Rescue Service wreath shall be worn 1” above the top 280 rank stripe, centered on the left sleeve of the Class A uniform blouse, or 4 ½” 281 from the bottom of the sleeve for uniforms without stripes (Attachment B, 282 Figure 14). 283 284 o Non‐fire department issued insignias or pins may be worn above the pocket flap 285 of the Class A uniform blouse or dress uniform shirt when approved by the Chief 286 of the Department or Volunteer Chief for volunteer personnel. 287 288 o Department approved American Flag pins may be worn above all accessories on 289 the right side of the uniform. 290 291 o Collar insignias shall be worn on dress uniform shirts. 292 293 • The bottom of the collar insignias will be 1” from the tip of the collar and centered 294 between the stitches Attachment B, Figure 15). 295 o Lapel insignias shall be worn on the Class A uniform blouse. 296 297 • On the Class A uniform blouse, the bottom of the lapel insignias shall be centered 1” 298 from the point of the upper lapel, parallel to the ground (Attachment B, Figure 13). 299 • HC shall be placed on the right upper lapel. 300 • FD shall be placed on the left upper lapel. 301 o The union pin may be worn on the uniform shirt above the nameplate 302 (Attachment B, Figure 15). On the Class A uniform blouse, it shall be worn above 303 all accessories (Attachment B, Figure 13 and 16). 304 305 Uniform Replacement and Alterations 306 All personnel are responsible for appropriate cleaning and maintenance of department issued 307 clothing and accessories. Replacement of issued clothing and accessories will be closely 308 monitored and shall be approved by the respective Battalion Chief or Volunteer Chief for 309 volunteer personnel. The replacement cost of lost items shall be the responsibility of the 310 individual. 311 312 If a replacement is requested for a damaged item, a County Property Loss/Damage Report shall 313 be completed by the individual and approved by the respective Battalion Chief. A Police Report 314 is required when badges or accessories identifies the individual as a member of the career or 315 volunteer fire service, or any item with a value greater than $50.00 is reported missing or 316 possibly stolen. 317 318 • It is the individual’s responsibility to maintain uniform items in good condition. Proper 319 care and laundering practices as well as securing issued uniform items to prevent loss 320 from damage, theft, or otherwise is the responsibility of the individual.

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321 322 • Alterations to dress uniforms require prior approval from the respective Battalion Chief 323 or Volunteer Chief for volunteer personnel. All approved alterations shall be 324 coordinated through the Supply Unit. 325 326 Wear Requirements 327 All personnel are responsible for wearing the appropriate levels of personal protective 328 equipment on all incidents. At no time will uniforms be permitted as outer garments on any fire 329 or rescue incident where a hazard may exist. 330 331 • Personnel electing to wear uniform shorts shall don the appropriate (turnout coat 332 and/or pants) department issued PPE on incidents where the member may enter the 333 warm and/or hot zone. 334 335 • Personnel experiencing any injury/illness or situation where the skin surface is broken 336 (i.e. poison ivy, lacerations, dermatitis, etc.) shall not wear the uniform shorts until such 337 time that the skin is healed. 338 339 • Failure to adhere to these basic safety guidelines shall result in the employees, and the 340 supervisory personnel on the incident being subject to actions outlined in the following 341 documents: GO 110.22 Code of Conduct and GO 110.13 General Disciplinary 342 o Personnel shall not wear any part of the uniform in a manner that would bring 343 disrepute upon the Department. This includes, but is not limited to, wearing of 344 the appropriate uniform shirt not tucked in and wearing of the baseball style hat 345 backwards when in the public’s eye. (Attachment D) 346 347 o Battalion Chiefs or Volunteer Chiefs may authorize their respective members to 348 wear uniform articles or additional clothing items suitable for the task at hand or 349 extreme weather conditions (i.e. live training scenarios, fire investigations, 350 public/educational details, etc.). 351 352 Individual Purchase Procedures 353 Individuals wishing to purchase inventoried uniform items from the Uniform Catalog may do so 354 by contacting the Quartermaster for an appointment. Individuals shall present the appropriate 355 requisition form, accompanied by a personal or certified check, for the exact amount to the 356 Quartermaster. The check shall be made out to Director of Finance. The check will be deposited 357 after the order is complete.

358 DEFINTIONS

359

360 PROCEDURES

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361

362 REFERENCES

363

364 SUMMARY OF DOCUMENT CHANGES

365 2/2014 – Line 31 – Added language on moisture wicking clothing

366 2/2014 – Lines 74 through 82 – Added language clarifying when long and short sleeve shirts are 367 to be worn. Clarified language on what uniform to wear while on public‐education details.

368 2/2014 – Line 130 – Modified dates that shorts may be worn.

369 2/2014 – Line 137 – Added language on boots not being appropriate to wear with shorts.

370 2/2014 – Line 138 and 139 – Added language on height.

371 2/2014 – Lines 200 and 201 – Changed the braids on Class A for Battalion Chief and 372 Captain ranks.

373 2/2014 – Lines 326 through 332 – Added language clarifying when PPE shall be worn over top of 374 uniforms.

375 2/2014 – Line 334 through 336 – Added language about the wear of shorts and broken skin.

376 2/2104 – Lines 338 through 340 – Added language stipulating supervisors will be held 377 accountable for the appearance of the personnel under their command.

378 2/2014 – Lines 341 through 344 – Added language describing inappropriate wear of the 379 uniform.

380 FORMS/ATTACHMENTS 381 Attachment A – Assigned Quantities 382 Attachment B – Proper Display of Rank, Accessories, and Awards 383 Attachment C – Rank and Badge Insignia 384 Attachment D ‐ Examples of Uniform Wear

385 APPROVED 386

387 388 Deputy Chief John S. Butler

389 Operations Command GO 530.01 Uniforms Page 10 of 10

Attachment A – Assigned Quantities

Uniform items shall be issued to members in the following manner based on the individual’s employment status.

Full‐Time Trainee Contingent or County Volunteer Class A

Blouse Coat 1 Post‐ Probation 0*

Long sleeve dress shirt (color‐rank 3‐ Staff 2‐ Field 2 1 dependent)

Trousers 1 Post‐ Probation 0*

Hat 1 Post‐ Probation 0*

Hat rain cover 1 Post‐ Probation 0*

Necktie 1 1 1

Trench/Raincoat 1‐ Staff and Honor 0 0 Guard Class B Staff pants (polyester or poly/cotton) 5 0 0** (Field personnel may continue to wear regular duty pants)

Short sleeve dress shirt (color rank 3‐ Staff 2‐ Field 3 1 dependent)

Sweater ( or Commando) 1 0 0**

Gortex gloves (pair) 1 ‐ Staff and Honor 0 0** Guard

Dress shoes 1 1 0* **

Class C

Long duty pants 2 3 2

Short duty pants 2 0 1

Long sleeve duty shirt 2 3 2

Short sleeve duty shirt 2 3 2

Belt 1 1 1

Safety 1 1 1

Gortex Jacket (Hi‐Vis or Navy Blue) 1 1 1

Uniforms/Station Wear Attachment A Full‐Time Trainee Contingent or County Volunteer Class C

Coveralls 1 1 0

Job Shirt 1 0 0

Baseball hat 1 1 0 Class D‐ Physical Training Uniform

Short sleeve physical training shirt 2 2 0

Physical training shorts 2 2 0

Physical training sweatshirt 1 1 0

Physical training 1 1 0 Accessories

Shirt badge 2 Post‐ Graduation 1

Hat badge 1 Post‐ Probation 0*

Collar insignias (pair) 2 Post‐ Graduation 1

Nameplate 2 Post‐ Graduation 1

Lapel insignias (pair) 1 Post‐ Probation 0*

*County volunteers may be issued a Class A uniform after five (5) years of active service. ** Distributed as necessary for contingent personnel (i.e., fire inspectors)

Attachment B

Attachment B

” 1”

FIGURE 13

1” Service Wreath

FIGURE 14

Attachment B

Service Pin Union Pin 1”

FIGURE 15

FIGURE 16

Attachment C

Rank Rank/Badge Insignia

Firefighter Recruit Firefighter Firefighter/HVO Master Firefighter Master Firefighter/HVO

Lieutenant

Captain

Battalion Chief

Assistant Chief

Deputy Chief

Chief of the Department

Attachment D – Examples of Uniform Wear

Improper wear of the Class C Proper wear of the Class C Uniform ‐ Wear Uniform ‐ Wear of Shorts of Shorts

Proper wear of the Class C Uniform Improper wear of the Class C Improper wear of the Class C – shirt tucked in, pants worn outside Uniform – Shirt not tucked in and Uniform – Shirt not tucked in and of the . the pants are tucked into the un‐ the pants are tucked into the un‐ zippered boot. zippered boot.