221.00 Appearance Safety Grooming Reg.docx

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES SECTION: 200.00 / Rules & Regulations Guideline: 221.00 Appearance Safety & Grooming Regulations Revision Date: 1/2023 221.00 Appearance Safety Regulations These rules pertaining to hairstyles, length of hair, sideburns, moustaches, and makeup are necessary to e...

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES SECTION: 200.00 / Rules & Regulations Guideline: 221.00 Appearance Safety & Grooming Regulations Revision Date: 1/2023 221.00 Appearance Safety Regulations These rules pertaining to hairstyles, length of hair, sideburns, moustaches, and makeup are necessary to ensure employee safety. No hair shall be exposed during fire suppression operations. This includes moustaches and sideburns. Hair shall in no way interfere with, or lessen, the ability to perform any EMS skill or patient care. Hair will not hang in personnel’s way, nor will hair come in contact with a patient, any exposure, or any EMS equipment. No hair shall interfere with, or lessen, the protection afforded by required safety equipment. Hair shall not be visible outside the hood, mask, or helmet under any circumstances. 221.10 Appearance Grooming Regulations These rules pertaining to hairstyles, length of hair, sideburns, moustaches, tattoos, body art, piercings, and makeup are necessary to ensure a measure of grooming uniformity representative of the Department’s professional image. A. All uniformed personnel shall be clean-shaven, except that a moustache may be permitted. If a moustache is worn, the following guidelines shall be utilized: Traditional Fire Department Moustaches are allowed as long as they are kept neat at all times. Unkempt moustaches are not permitted. Moustaches shall not interfere with the SCBA Mask Seal. Eccentric moustaches, which will attract undue attention, will not be permitted. Sideburns are acceptable, provided they meet the following guidelines: Sideburns shall not extend downward below the bottom of the earlobe and will end in a clean-shaven horizontal line. Sideburns shall be kept neatly trimmed and will not be bushy or flared. Eccentric sideburns that will attract undue attention will not be permitted. Hairstyles of all uniformed male personnel shall conform to the following guidelines: Hair shall be neat, well trimmed, and combed at all times, except under the most adverse conditions, such as during emergency operations. A ragged, unkempt, appearance will not be permitted. Hair, when combed, will not present a ragged, unkempt, or extreme appearance. Hair in the back shall not extend below the top of the dress shirt/polo collar when the person is in a standing position with the head erect. The length of the hair will not present a ragged, unkempt, or extreme appearance. Bangs shall extend no lower than ¼” above the eyebrows. Hair shall not cover more than three-fourths of the ear. Hair shall not be dyed an unusual or unnatural color. Wigs or hairpieces are acceptable if they meet all of the hair guidelines. Hairstyles of all uniformed female personnel: Hair shall be neat, well trimmed, and combed at all times, except under the most adverse conditions, such as during emergency operations. A ragged, unkempt, appearance will not be permitted. Hairstyles must maintain a professional appearance representative of the Department. Hair shall not be dyed an unusual or unnatural color. If longer or loose hair violates a safety regulation, then it must be braided and/or held in place. Items used by female personnel to hold the hair in place shall be concealed as much as possible and shall be of a color and style that blends with the hair. Decorative items such as ribbons and combs will not be worn in the hair. E. Tattoos, Body Art, and Piercings In other areas of the body, all “body art” and/or tattoos that could be deemed as derogatory in nature must be concealed by departmental-issued clothing when standing at a normal posture. Any Tattoo in question will need to come up the chain of command for approval. Body art that requires covering is to be covered by department issue clothing only, sleeves are not approved. Ex: uniform shirts, pants, long sleeve t-shirts, and when appropriate bunker pants. Visible body piercings are prohibited. Exposed pierced body jewelry is not acceptable.