Philadelphia Fire Department Directive #19A

• Directive #19A, issued in May 2014, outlines the uniform policy for the Philadelphia Fire Department

Policy

• Establishes standards for the appearance and dress of uniformed personnel
• Uniformed staff must not pose a safety threat
• Personnel must always be neat and professionally groomed
• Appearance must reflect honor and respect
• Department-issued uniforms are only for official capacities, as approved by the Fire Commissioner

Definitions

• Badge: Worn as a symbol of rank or membership
• Mourning Band: Optional black band worn over the badge to indicate mourning, specifically from a line-of-duty death announcement until 1700 hours on the seventh day after the funeral
• Cap Badge: Accessory for dress cap
• Class A Male Uniform: Official dress uniform for male department members
• Class A Female Uniform: Official dress uniform for female department members
• Class B Male Uniform: Similar to Class A male uniform but features a short sleeve shirt and no tie or blouse coat
• Class B Female Uniform: Similar to Class A female uniform, but features a short sleeve shirt and no tie or blouse coat
• Class C Uniform: Official work uniform for all uniformed department members
• Collar Insignia: Device worn on the collar to show rank or membership, often "PFD" in metal or sewn-on form
• Department Patch: Placed on the left shoulder, one inch below the shoulder seam, on all shirts, approved sweatshirts/sweaters, blouse coat, work jacket, and all-weather coat/overcoat
• Retired Rocker: Approved patch for retired members, worn under the Department Patch at official fire department functions, centered and sewn ½” under the department patch
• Blue Lightweight Three Button Pullover Shirt: Optional component of the Class "C" work uniform, authorized from May 1st to September 30th
• Specific units like FMO, FPD, TSU, FCU, ERO, SIO, ICO, and EMS can wear the shirt when not working in the FAB, under appropriate conditions
• Members assigned to LAD and duties-as-assigned may not wear this shirt while assigned to the FAB or the Fire Museum
• Uniform Shorts: Approved for all ranks up to Captain, and all units excluding the Fire Administration Building (FAB)
• Can be worn with the blue lightweight pullover, short sleeve work shirt, or Department-approved T-shirt
• Only plain black ankle socks (no logos, no writing) and low-cut shoes (no sneakers, no boots) are allowed with uniform shorts
• LAD and duties-as-assigned personnel cannot wear shorts while temporarily assigned. Authorized from May 1st thru September 30th
• Approved Sweatshirt: With a flat dungaree collar, quarter-zipper, a breast pocket, and the Department Patch on the left shoulder, may be worn by LAD and duties-as-assigned in lieu of a sweater while assigned to the FAB or the Fire Museum
• Approved Sweater - Full Zipper Style: With the department patch on the left sleeve, may be worn by all ranks
• Approved Sweater - Commando Style: The department patch on the left sleeve, name plate, badge and rank insignia may be worn by Battalion Chiefs and above
• Approved Work Jacket: To be worn with the PFD patch on the left sleeve and appropriate rank insignia on the epaulets.
• Permitted as part of the uniform when not actively engaged in firefighting
• Work Cap: Dark navy blue baseball cap with visor and adjustable band, embroidered with "PHILADELPHIA FIRE DEPT" and "PFD", not allowed inside the Fire Administration Building (FAB)
• Watch Cap (Black Only) Wool: With 2" chrome/silver or white block letters “PFD” on the front, and optional embroidered “Last Name” on the rear
• Name Plate (Black Only): Must show the wearer's last name only, ranks up to Captain may have chrome/silver or white trim, while Chief Officers (Battalion Chief and above) may have white or gold trim
• Name Strip: Cloth strip displaying the wearer’s last name only, sewn above the right breast pocket
• Company Strip: Cloth strip showing the assigned company or unit, sewn above the left breast pocket
• Rank Insignia: Devices like Stars, Anchors, Propeller Blades, Horns, Bars, Oak Leafs, Eagles or Stars indicate rank
• Sleeve Markings: Gold Metallic, Synthetic sewn-on braid indicates the rank, worn on the sleeves of the blouse coat
• Service Emblem: Worn on the left sleeve of the blouse coat to show length of service
• Uniformed Personnel: Sworn personnel must wear the Philadelphia Fire Department uniform during work hours

Responsibility

• All uniformed personnel must know and follow this directive
• Supervisors are responsible for enforcing this directive
• Members must wear the uniform for their rank/assignment
• Uniforms must fit well, be pressed, and have polished leather/metal items; no frayed, torn, or threadbare articles allowed
• All shirt buttons must be buttoned except the top one, unless wearing a tie
• Fire Commissioner must approve any uniform item
• Class A uniform is required for all staff meetings, unless the Fire Commissioner authorizes Class B

General Information

• Fire Department uniform standards are listed for all uniformed members
• Color photos of uniforms are on the “T” drive

Class A Male Uniform

• Official dress uniform for male members
• Worn when required by the Fire Commissioner or for official functions/assignments
• Class A uniform should be available at all times and members may be ordered to appear in it at anytime
• Includes badge, black leather belt, black necktie, black dress shoes, black socks, rank insignia, dress uniform trousers, blouse coat (double-breasted for officers, single-breasted for firefighters/paramedics), cap with badge, nameplate, and appropriate white/light blue shirt
• Optional items: black gloves, neck scarf, black/blue all-weather coat/overcoat departmental awards, and the service pin
• Blouse coat is worn as prescribed with sleeve markings, badge, and nameplate at all times, with the Department patch worn on the left shoulder
• No Class C uniform clothing can be worn with the blouse coat
• All undergarments worn with the Class A shirt must be plain and invisible
• Cap worn with badge, visor, and strap, except when decorum dictates removal, to be worn in a military manner level on the head
• The uniform dress shoe must be black, plain toe (Oxford Toe)

Class A Female Uniform

• The Class A female uniform is the official dress uniform of the female members of the department
• It is worn when required by the Fire Commissioner or as prescribed during an official function or special assignment
• Class A uniform should be available at all times and members may be ordered to appear in it at anytime
• Includes badge, black leather belt, black necktie , black dress shoes (Oxford Toe) , black socks , rank insignia (metal only), dress uniform trousers or uniform skirt
• The following items may be worn with the Class A female uniform: black gloves, black neck scarf, black/blue all-weather coat/overcoat, departmental awards and service pin
• The blouse coat shall be worn as prescribed by rank, with appropriate sleeve markings
• All undergarments, must be plain and without design or embellishment

Class B Male Uniform

• Official summer dress uniform, worn when Class A is not required
• May be worn by staff personnel year-round
• Staff may wear a long sleeve shirt with badge, nameplate, collar devices, and tie (optional)
• Includes badge, black leather belt, black dress shoes, black socks, rank insignia, dress uniform trousers, cap with badge, and white/light blue short sleeve shirt
• Approved sweater, and service pin are optional

Class B Female Uniform

• Is the official summer dress uniform when Class A uniform is not required
• May be worn by staff personnel year-round
• Includes badge, black belt, black Oxford Toe dress shoes, black socks, rank insignia, dress uniform trousers or skirt, cap, nameplate, white/light blue short sleeve shirt, and skin tone hosiery

Class C Work Uniform (Male/Female)

• Field operations and staff personnel may wear Class A, Class B, or Class C unless specified by the Fire Commissioner
• Skirts are not permitted for station duty
• Staff personnel must wear a tie when wearing a long sleeve shirt
• Includes optional badge, black leather belt, black shoes, black socks, rank insignia, name strip, and company strip
• Also includes uniform shirt, uniform trousers, cap, T-shirt, and approved work jacket

Shoulder Patches

• The approved company patch shall be worn on the right shoulder of the work jacket

Wearing of Insignia

• The use of shoulder and/or collar devices for all Officers, Paramedics, Fire Boat Pilots and Fire Boat Engineers is mandatory for the purpose of identifying rank.
• Insignia are to be worn parallel to the base of the collar

T-Shirts / Turtlenecks and Mock Turtlenecks

• Members are not required to wear the approved Department T-shirt under any approved outer garment, however only the approved Department T-shirt may be worn as an outer garment when authorized
• Blue T- shirts will not be worn under Class A or Class B uniform shirts
• All shirts must be worn tucked inside of pants at all times with the exception of the approved sweatshirt

Fireground Uniform

• Must consist of the Department approved protective clothing
• Includes a bunker coat, bunker pants with suspenders, rubber/ leather boots, & work Gloves

Inspection of Uniforms

• An annual inspection of uniforms will take place
• Items of protective clothing will not be be inspected at this time.
• Members are forbidden to exchange parts of the uniform for the purpose of passing inspection
• Includes All Weather Coat / Overcoat; Blousecoat with Badge, Pair Trousers, Cap with badge, Long/Short-Sleeve Shirt
• New Fire Department members receive an initial clothing allotment and have specific guidelines

Clothing Allowance

• New Fire Department members receive an initial clothing allotment; active employees receive allowances, but restrictions apply to those on leave or retirement