Annapolis Fire Department Operating Policy Manual Chapter 2: Administration 2.11 Uniforms Effective: 05/03/2019 Revised: 11/22/2019 Approved by: Douglas M. Remaley Fire Chief 2.11.1 General Uniform Policy and Standard A. Personnel should at all times be aware that their personal appearance conveys to the general public and our customers a perception of the professionalism and level of service provided by the Annapolis Fire Department. Personal appearance also identifies the level of personal pride and respect one has for the department as well as oneself. B. Uniformed employees of the Annapolis Fire Department shall wear the appropriate uniform as noted in this policy when on duty or attending training and/or other fire department functions when being paid or sponsored by the Department. Exceptions may be granted by the Fire Chief or Deputy Chiefs for documented medical or other appropriate reasons. C. All personnel are responsible for the safekeeping and proper use of all issued uniforms and equipment. D. All uniforms shall be kept in a clean and serviceable condition. Shoes and boots shall be clean and polished. E. Issued uniforms, equipment or parts thereof (including shoulder patches) shall not be loaned, borrowed, sold, given away or otherwise allowed to be used for any purpose other than those outlined in these regulations without the approval of the Fire Chief. F. Unless otherwise noted in this regulation, no alterations, modifications or substitutes to the issued AFD uniform or equipment are permitted without the approval of the Fire Chief. G. Uniforms articles may not be worn off duty, during secondary employment or other activities, unless otherwise directed by the Fire Chief or their designee. H. Personnel may request to purchase footwear (firefighting or station wear) helmet, safety glasses, gloves or a protective hood at their own expense that meets the same safety criteria as the standard AFD issued item. A request to purchase an item that meets the same safety criteria but is determined to provide less protection than the standard AFD issued item will be denied. All requests shall be made to the Fire Chief on a Special Report via the chain of command. I. Footwear for medical conditions – personnel requiring special footwear for medical conditions shall request the footwear on a special report to the Fire Chief. The request must be supported by a doctor’s note, which must accompany the Special Report. Reasonable accommodations will be made to provide special needs footwear. J. Ties shall be worn with long sleeve shirts only. Ties shall be navy blue or black. K. White socks shall not be worn with the work or dress shoes unless supported by a doctor’s note. L. Footwear other than safety footwear may be worn in the station’s living quarters from 2000-0700 hours. The living quarter’s area does not include outside the station or in apparatus bays. M. Officer ranks shall wear white shirts; Firefighter ranks shall wear blue shirts; Fire Marshal Investigators may Section 2.11 Page 1 of 12 wear black shirts. Civilian Fire Inspectors shall wear golf shirts in colors approved by the Fire Chief. N. Upon approval of the Fire Chief, badges may be covered with a black band to show support for a deceased member of the fire service. O. Personnel attending court on behalf of the Annapolis Fire Department shall wear the appropriate season work uniform. P. No employee should feel uncomfortable working in a Fire Station. Therefore, it is important that our personnel conduct themselves in a manner that affords privacy while ensuring that a minimum level of modesty is maintained in shared areas of the building. Personnel shall change clothing in private areas and sleep in appropriate attire such as gym shorts or sweatpants and T-shirt at a minimum. 2.11.2 Issue, Replacement and Retirement Policy A. All uniform items noted in this policy shall be replaced for excessive wear and tear, damage or improper fit on a one-for-one replacement policy through the Quartermaster system. Personnel without an exchange item shall forward a special report to their respective Deputy Chief explaining the circumstances for the missing items. The Deputy Chief may approve, disapprove and/or initiate disciplinary measures if warranted. B. Personnel shall return all issued clothing and equipment upon termination or resignation. C. Retired personnel shall return their PAT Tag, ID Card, Face Piece and other usable equipment. A retired ID card will be issued at that time. Any issued equipment deemed surplus or unusable by the Department may be released to the retiree with processing of a Property Release Form. 2.11.3 Uniform Descriptions A. Class A Dress Uniform – Uniform consists of dress blouse, dress trousers (male) or skirt or trousers (female), long sleeve shirt, tie, black dress shoes and dress cap. The Class A uniform shall be worn while on official fire department business and other functions as directed by the Fire Chief. (see chart) B. Class B Dress Uniform – Uniform consists of dress trousers (male), skirts or trousers (female), long or short sleeve uniform shirt, dress shoes, work jacket, dress cap and tie with long sleeve shirt. (see chart) Exception to this would be Fire Investigators’ issued gear. C. Class C Work Uniform - Standard AFD work uniform consisting of work pants, uniform shirt (long or short sleeve), Departmental T-shirt, job shirt, station work shoes/boots, work jacket (dress cap and tie as required). (see chart) D. FESU Investigators Work Uniform– (Optional) Uniform consists of blue BDU (battle dress uniform) uniform shirt and trousers, work boots and belt. E. Civilians Assigned to Planning Section – Those civilians who are issued Uniforms (Civilian Inspector) shall only wear the department approved work pants and Civilian shirt (long or short sleeve). Section 2.11 Page 2 of 12 2.11.3.1 Uniform Charts The following codes apply to the work uniform and dress uniform (see chart): Winter Uniforms – November through March Summer Uniforms - April through October R = Required, except as otherwise directed O = Optional, except as otherwise directed Dress Uniform Class A ITEM SUMMER WINTER Dress Hat R R Trousers: Dress R R Dress Blouse R R Shirt: Long sleeve only Dress R R T-Shirt O O Tie w/clasp R R Coat: O O Dress Shoes R R Socks, black R R Belt w/buckle R R White Gloves O O Dress Uniform Class B ITEM SUMMER WINTER Dress Hat O O Trousers: Dress R R Shirt: Long or short sleeve Dress R R T-Shirt O O Tie w/clasp None R Dress Shoes R R Socks, black R R Belt w/buckle R R Dark or leather gloves O O Section 2.11 Page 3 of 12 Work Uniform Class C Must have dress cap and tie available and ready if required. ITEM SUMMER WINTER Work Pants R R Shirt: Button R R T-Shirt O O Ball Cap O O Wool Cap (AFD) O Job Shirt O O Hi-Vis Work Jacket O O Shoes: ** Must wear steel-toe footwear with work uniform Work O O Jump Boots O O Socks R R Belt w/buckle R R 2.11.4 Rank Identification Rank within the department will be identified on Dress Uniform Class A Blouse by the following insignia and stripes (1/4" in width located at the top half of the sleeve): RANK INSIGNIA STRIPES Chief 5 crossed gold 5 gold trumpets Deputy Chief 4 crossed gold 4 gold trumpets Battalion Commander 3 crossed gold 3 gold trumpets Battalion Chief 2 crossed gold 3 gold trumpets Captain 2 vertical gold 2 gold trumpets Lieutenant 1 vertical silver 1 silver trumpet First Class Circular pin, 1 None chevron Firefighter Circular pin, None helmet, ladder, etc. Section 2.11 Page 4 of 12 2.11.5 Uniform Dress Hat RANK STANDARD Chief White with scrambled egg on brim Deputy Chief White with scrambled egg on brim Battalion Chief/Commander White Captain Blue Lieutenant Blue Firefighter Blue 2.11.6 Uniform Shirts A. Button uniform shirts shall be the standard issue uniform shirt for the AFD. B. Uniform shirts shall be worn when outside of the station except as noted below. C. Uniform shirts shall be worn with employee nameplate and collar (rank) pins, shirt badges are optional for Operational personnel. Nameplate, collar pins and shirt badges are mandatory when worn as part of the Class A or Class B dress uniform. D. No long-sleeved shirts shall be worn under short-sleeved shirts. 2.11.7 Job Shirt A. The job shirt shall not be worn as a substitute for the work uniform (button) shirt from 0800 hours to 2000 hours. The job shirt shall be worn over the uniform shirt during this time period. B. The job shirt may be worn without the uniform shirt from 2000 hours to 0800 hours. C. The cross flag AFD seal (or city seal) shall be displayed on the left front of the job shirt. D. Optional at employee expense and with approval of Fire Chief - The following may appear on the left side of the job shirt: rank and job description. Official job descriptions are: Firefighter, Fire Marshal, Inspector, Investigator, Paramedic, Bomb Squad and Special Operations. Rank is to be the first line on the left side of the job shirt; job description is to appear below the rank. 2.11.8 T-Shirts A. Only T-Shirts issued by the Annapolis Fire Department shall be worn as part of the uniform. The only exception is plain white t-shirts worn under blouses. B. Battalion Chiefs may wear white AFD T-Shirts without lettering on the back under their uniform shirts.