Decatur Fire Department STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE PERSONAL APPEARANCE SOG-20100930 _____________________________________________________________ Revised: 09-30-2010 Supersedes: 2009-03-30 Revised by; Fire Chief, Les Marckel Approved By: Fire Chief Les Marckel Date: 09-30-2010 General Administrative Rules – Emergency & Non Emergency Operations Subject: Personal Appearance – Hygiene SCOPE: This procedure establishes guidelines for the personal appearance that will be followed by all uniformed and paid on call fire department members. PURPOSE: The personal appearance of fire department personnel, when representing the Decatur Fire Department in any form is essential for assuring good public relations. In order to maintain uniformity throughout the department, shift officers will ensure firefighters under their command are representing the fire department in a fashion that does not bring discredit to the department and are neat and clean in appearance. Reference to SOG-20081016 Uniform and Work Wear Policy APPEARANCE: All members will maintain proper personal hygiene while on duty in accordance to the Decatur Fire Department (General Administrative Rules 2007-07-12) This guideline applies to all members while on duty or officially representing the department at a public meeting, training session, seminar, conference, or other similar events. All uniforms and shoes/boots will be neat and clean and should conform to the requirements set forth in the uniform guideline. Hair - Men Hair will be kept clean and well-groomed, and will not constitute a safety hazard, and at no time will interfere with the use of protective clothing or equipment. Any hair style considered extreme in appearance, including but not limited to: Corn rows, twists, dreadlocks, Mohawks, unnatural colors of purple, orange, green, etc. These styles are extreme and are prohibited. The length of the hair in back shall be cut less than shoulder length. The length of the hair in front will not fall over the eyebrows. Hair on the sides may not extend below the opening (canal) of the ear. 1 Decatur Fire Department STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE PERSONAL APPEARANCE SOG-20100930 _____________________________________________________________ Hair – Female Hair will be kept clean and well-groomed, and will not constitute a safety hazard, and at no time will interfere with the use of protective clothing or equipment. Any hair style considered extreme in appearance, including but not limited to: Corn rows, twists, Dreadlocks, Mohawks, unnatural colors of purple, orange, green, etc. These styles are extreme and are prohibited. If the hair is longer than shoulder length it must be worn up neatly. Facial Hair Members will be clean shaven. Beards, handlebar mustaches, chin whiskers, and goatees are prohibited. Reference SOG-2007-07-12 Section 19 Sideburns shall not extend below the ear lobe. They must be trimmed and not be excessively bushy nor cover any part of the ear. SOG-2007-07-12 section 19 Mustaches will not extend below the bottom lip. No other facial hair is acceptable. Jewelry and Cosmetics At no time while in uniform will a member wear jewelry, pins, ribbons, buttons, that constitutes an advertisement; political, or social viewpoint; or a message that is offensive to anyone on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, race, gender, or sexual orientation. One necklace is allowed as long as it remains tucked inside the uniform shirt and is not visible while in the class A/B uniform and are not hazards to the member. Bracelets are allowed as well, however they must not pose a hazard to the member. Large pendants, chains, or other paraphernalia not intended to be worn around the neck or other body areas are prohibited. Any jewelry that may pose a tangle or entrapment risk is prohibited. One ring per hand is acceptable. 2 Decatur Fire Department STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE PERSONAL APPEARANCE SOG-20100930 _____________________________________________________________ Full time personnel (male or female) or a paid on call person (working in a relief capacity) will not be allowed to wear earrings or other visible piercings including but not limited to the neck, nose, lip, tongue, or eyebrow while on duty in any uniform. Paid on call personnel will not be permitted to respond with any earrings or other piercings that dangle, have hoops, or could pose a catch or tangle hazard to the responder. (Male or female) These items may cause a catch and tangle hazard, and pose a safety threat to the responder. This paraphernalia may also impede the sealing of a face piece. Infectious control shall always be considered in an exposure to body fluids through piercings. Female uniformed personnel may wear conservative color and application of cosmetic make-up, to be consistent with uniform appearance. Nail polish will not be extreme in nature or color. Tattoos and Other related objects – Body Modifications No tattoos are permitted on the face or neck of any personnel. Any tattoo or other modification object must not be visible above a standard tee shirt neck line. Visible tattoos will not be offensive or vulgar in nature; any tattoo deemed offensive by the administration must be covered while on duty at all times. Other related objects are in reference to but not limited to; branding, pocketing, ear lob stretching, skin etching or other related body modifications. Trousers, shorts, etc. must be worn at the height they were manufactured and not more than 1” of undergarment shall be visible out of the top of the pant line. This guideline applies to all Decatur Fire Department members while on duty or officially representing the department at an emergency incident, public meeting, training session, seminar, conference, or other similar events. 3.