Waller Harris ESD 200 Administrative Manual Volume 1 PDF

# WALLER HARRIS ESD 200 ## ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL VOLUME 1 ### **SUBJECT:** Grooming, Appearance, and Uniforms - Suppression Personnel ### **NUMBER:** 1105 ### **REVISION:** 1 ### **EFFECTIVE DATE:** 06/18/2024 ### **SUPERSEDES:** 105 ### **APPROVALS** **Fire Chief** **Policy:** Members sha...

# WALLER HARRIS ESD 200 ## ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL VOLUME 1 ### **SUBJECT:** Grooming, Appearance, and Uniforms - Suppression Personnel ### **NUMBER:** 1105 ### **REVISION:** 1 ### **EFFECTIVE DATE:** 06/18/2024 ### **SUPERSEDES:** 105 ### **APPROVALS** **Fire Chief** **Policy:** Members shall be mindful, the Waller-Harris Emergency Service District 200 (WHESD200) represents the elected officials and the residents of the District and understand that each member is a representative and ambassador of the District. Each member shall be clean, well groomed, and will exercise good bodily hygiene and cleanliness. **Purpose:** The procedures contained herein are intended to promote uniformity of the members of the Department by addressing specific grooming items and dress requirements. **Scope:** This guideline applies to all Suppression personnel. **Guideline:** **General Hygiene:** - All personnel will exercise good bodily hygiene and cleanliness by bathing frequently, keeping hair clean and within regulation, and following good dental hygiene practices. **Male Members** **Hair Regulations:** - Members' hair shall be clean, neat, well-trimmed and properly combed except under adverse conditions such as during emergency operations. Members shall comply with the following restrictions relating to the length, fullness, style, shape of sideburns, mustache, and hair: - Hair shall not, when combed, picked, blown, or teased, exceed two (2) inches in height. - Hair shall not cover the ear lobe. - Hair at the back of the neck shall not extend below the bottom of the collar when the uniform shirt is buttoned, and the head is in an upright position. - Hair in front shall be groomed so that it does not fall below the eyebrows. - Other styles may be worn within the above limitations. - Wigs or toupees shall be permitted if the style is consistent with the foregoing regulations. - Hair may be dyed, tinted, or frosted in colors naturally occurring in human hair. - Hair shall not interfere with the wearing of headgear or facepiece. **Facial Hair Regulations:** - Mustaches shall be kept clean and neat. - Facial hair shall not contact the SCBA seal or interfere with the proper operation of the SCBA at any time. Hair below the mouth, including any type of beards, goatees, and "van goghs", is specifically prohibited for suppression personnel. - In general, mustaches shall not extend sideways more than 2 inches beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corner of the mouth and shall not fall below the corner of the mouth vertically more than 1.5 inches. - Lower lip whiskers are permissible but cannot be wider than the person's mouth and cannot extend lower than one inch below the lower lip. - Questionable style or size facial hair shall be determined to be within regulation by placing a SCBA face piece on the person without manually manipulating the placement of the hair. If hair is touching any part of the face piece seal, the facial hair will be considered out of compliance. - It is understood that volunteer personnel may not always have the luxury of shaving prior to responding to an emergency. However, this guide should be followed if participating in a scheduled event or standby crew. Additionally, if during the case of emergency facial hair interferes with the proper wear of the SCBA, the member shall not wear a facepiece, nor enter an IDLH atmosphere. **Sideburns:** - Sideburns shall be kept neatly trimmed and close to the face to avoid any interference with obtaining a seal while wearing a SCBA mask. - Sideburns shall not be flared more than one half (1/2) inch at the bottom from the top. - Bushy or "muttonchops" style sideburns are not permitted. - Sideburns shall not extend below the bottom of the ear lobe and shall end in a clean horizontal line. Beards and Goatees: - Neither beards nor goatees shall be permitted. Members must be otherwise clean shaven when reporting for duty. **Wearing of Jewelry:** - All jewelry will be modest and conservatively styled. - Members can wear one ring per hand and a watch. - One neck chain is permissible if worn on the inside of the shirt and is not a "choke" type. - No bracelets except medical alert, or mourning bands will be worn. - The wearing of earrings, studs or other items in the ear, nose, lip, tongue, or eyelids is expressly prohibited. **Fingernails:** - Fingernails shall be clean and neatly trimmed, not to exceed one quarter inch (1/4) beyond the fingertip and shall not interfere with the efficient operation of Fire Department equipment. **Female Members** **Hair Regulations:** - Members' hair shall be clean, neat, well-trimmed and properly combed except under adverse conditions such as during emergency operations. Members shall comply with the following hairstyle restrictions: - Hair shall be clean and neatly groomed to always present a professional appearance. - Hair in front shall be groomed so that it does not fall below the eyebrows. - Other styles may be worn within the above limitations. - Wigs or toupees shall be permitted if the style is consistent with the foregoing regulations. - Hair may be dyed, tinted, or frosted in colors naturally occurring in human hair. - Hair shall not interfere with the wearing of headgear or face piece. - Hair at the back of the neck that extends below the bottom of the collar when the uniform shirt is buttoned, and the head is in an upright position should be braided or in a single ponytail. Hair must be able to be placed under the bunker gear hood and jacket during emergency calls where bunker gear is to be worn. **Cosmetics:** - Facial make-up that is subdued and moderate in tones and application is permissible. - Fingernail polish that is subdued and moderate in tone and application is permissible. If fingernail polish is used, all fingernails must be the same color and no ornamentation over the fingernail color will be allowed. **Wearing of Jewelry:** - All jewelry will be modest and conservatively styled. - Members can wear one ring per hand and a watch. - One neck chain is permissible if worn on the inside of the shirt and is not a "choke" type. - No bracelets except medical alert, or mourning bands will be worn. - Small, conservative stud earrings that are single in color may be worn. - Earrings are limited to "post" style; the decorative front may not be larger than ½ inch. - No more than one ear post is allowed per ear, and that post must be in the ear lobe. Ear plugs are not allowed. Earlobes expanded by rings are not permitted. - Any exposed body jewelry shall be in good taste and must be reviewed by shift officer and/or reviewed by the Fire Chief. No profanity, vulgar or sexual symbols may be displayed. - Aside from earrings, no other visible body piercing jewelry is allowed while in uniform or on duty. This includes, but is not limited to, nose rings, tongue studs, eyebrow rings, etc. **Fingernails:** - Fingernails shall be clean and neatly trimmed, not to exceed one quarter inch (1/4) beyond the fingertip and shall not interfere with the efficient operation of Fire Department equipment. **Tattoos/Body Art:** - Approved - Certain tattoos/body art are approved on the arm from the short sleeve shirt to the fingers or from the knee to the ankle. - Any tattoo/body art that is obscene or advocates sexual, racial, ethnic, religious discrimination, or grotesque, offensive, gang related, degrading or causes undue attention as determined by the Fire Chief, shall not be allowed, and must be covered. - Covered as used here shall mean covered by department issued clothing or if another form is used for covering it must be approved by the shift officer and/or Fire Chief first. If the tattoo/body art is covered, members shall always be considerate of other department members. - Brands are considered a form of body art but are not approved to be exposed with the uniform and must be covered. # UNIFORMS All employees of WHESD200 are expected to wear Department provided uniforms and clothing while on duty, at public relations events, at public education events or while representing WHESD200 at any other function. All on-duty suppression personnel, assigned to the same unit, shall be in the same uniform class while away from the fire station. Wearing of any part of the department issued uniform, while not on duty or in transit to and from work is strictly prohibited. Non-Departmental issued apparel (i.e.: station or shift T-Shirts) must be approved by the Command Staff before use while on duty. All uniform apparel is to be clean and wrinkle free. All shirts are to be tucked into trousers. *NOTE: The Fire Chief or designee will establish the appropriate class of uniform for all special events or ceremonies by indicating the appropriate wear as Class A, B, C, or D.* ## **Uniform Classes:** ### 1. **Class D Uniform (Duty)** **Occasions for Wear:** Standard work uniform when performing station duties, training, or responding to calls. **Class D Components:** - **Trousers:** All Members- Navy - **Shirt:** All members- Department issued t-shirt - **Belt:** All members- Black (rescue style or leather) - **Footwear:** All members- Black duty boots **Optional Items:** - Winter jacket- Department issued/approved - Job shirt- Department issued/approved - Hats- Ball cap or winter hat (beanie)- Department issued/approved - Rainwear- Department issued/approved - Uniform Shorts- Department approved for Special Events Only. - Only department approved shorts may be worn. - They shall be clean and be free of tears and rips. - Shorts shall be in Navy in color, tactical in type and at least 9.5" inseam in length. - Shorts shall be worn with black, low-profile socks and black, low-cut shoes (Cannot be worn with boots). ### **2. Class C Uniform** **Occasions for Wear:** Worn when representing the fire department in public during normal business hours or as directed. **Class C Components:** - All Class D uniform items with the following modifications - **Short Sleeve Shirt:** All members- Dark blue with rank specific embroidered badge, Department patch left shoulder, certification patch emblem right shoulder and name tape over the right pocket. ### **3. Class B Uniform** **Occasions for Wear:** Worn when representing the fire department in public (Presentation or training being provided by an outside speaker/instructor) during normal business hours or as directed. **Class B Components:** All Class C uniform items with the following modifications - **Long or Short Sleeve Shirt:** Captain and below- Dark blue with metal, rank specific badge, collar brass, Department patch left shoulder, certification patch emblem right shoulder and matching name tag ½" above the right pocket - **Chief Officer-** Dark blue or white with metal, rank specific badge, collar brass, Department patch left shoulder, certification patch emblem right shoulder and matching name tag ½" above the right pocket - **Undershirt:** All members- Department issued t-shirt that matches the outer shirt ### **4. Class A Uniform** **Occasions for Wear:** Worn when representing the fire department at occasions not requiring the Dress Uniform or at the direction of the fire chief. **Class A Components:** All Class B uniform items with the following modifications - **Long Sleeve Shirt:** - Captain rank and below- Long sleeve, light blue with metal, rank specific badge, collar brass, Department patch left shoulder, certification patch emblem right shoulder and matching name tag ½" above the right pocket. - Chief Officer- Long sleeve, white with metal, rank specific badge, collar brass, Department patch left shoulder, certification patch emblem right shoulder and matching name tag ½" above the right pocket Citation bar(s)- ½" above the name tag (if applicable) - **Undershirt:** All members- Department issued t-shirt that matches the outer shirt - **Tie:** All members- Navy - **Footwear:** All members- Black, shine-able boots or dress shoes. ### **5. Dress Uniform** **Occasions for Wear:** Worn when representing the fire department at formal occasions (Funerals or Special Ceremonies) or at the direction of the fire chief. **Dress Uniform Components:** All Class A uniform items with the following modifications - **Dress Jacket:** All members- Navy with round, rank specific collar insignia on lapels, and Department patch both shoulders - **Dress Trousers:** All members- Navy - **Dress Hat:** - Captain rank and below- Navy - Chief Officer- White ## **Issued Equipment:** WHESD200 shall make provisions for the following uniform items to be available for purchased with the yearly budgeted allowance. Items will be replaced outside the member allowance on a case-by-case basis and shall be on a 1 for 1 swap (i.e.: Uniforms item damaged during an incident). ### **Full Time Firefighters:** - 4 Duty Pants - 4 T-Shirts - 2 Button Down Class C Shirts with appropriate insignia (Long sleeve optional) - 1 Short Sleeve Button Down Class B Shirt - 1 Long Sleeve Button Down Class B Shirt (Optional) - 1 Long Sleeve Button Down Class A Shirt - 2 Rank specific badges and collar brass - 2 Name tags (silver or gold as required) - 1 Duty Belt - 1 Pair of duty shoes/boots - 1 Tie - 1 Winter Pull-Over Shirts (Job Shirt) - 1 Baseball Style Cap - 1 Beanie - 1 Complete Dress Uniform (Jacket, Trousers, Hat, Shoes, Belt, Brass) ### **Part Time and Volunteer Firefighters:** - 2 Duty Pants - 2 T-Shirts - 1 Button Down Class C Shirts with appropriate insignia (Long sleeve optional) - 1 Short Sleeve Button Down Class B Shirt - 1 Long Sleeve Button Down Class A Shirt - 1 Rank specific badge, collar brass, and name tag - 1 Duty Belt - 1 Pair of duty shoes/boots - 1 Tie - 1 Winter Pull-Over Shirts (Job Shirt) - 1 Baseball Style Cap - 1 Beanie All boots must have polishable leather lowers. Any lost uniform item shall be replaced at the employee's expense. Damage that occurred while performing department-related activities shall be repaired or replaced by the Department. Upon termination of employee (voluntary or forced), the member shall return all items funded by the Department. A failure to return items may result in paycheck withholdings and/or a non-re-hirable status.