Bernalillo County Fire Department Personal Appearance Policy PDF

**PURPOSE** The purpose of this policy is to establish a standard for personal appearance for members of the Bernalillo County Fire Department as it pertains to safety, public perception, professionalism and the image of Bernalillo County. **POLICY** It is the policy of the Bernalillo County Fire...

**PURPOSE** The purpose of this policy is to establish a standard for personal appearance for members of the Bernalillo County Fire Department as it pertains to safety, public perception, professionalism and the image of Bernalillo County. **POLICY** It is the policy of the Bernalillo County Fire Department (BCFD) that its members will maintain their appearance in order to represent the department and themselves in a positive, professional manner appropriate to their work assignment. This rule applies to all members while on duty or off duty when officially representing the Department. All previous Policies & Procedures and SOGs pertaining to personal appearance are rescinded. **PROCEDURE** I. **HYGIENE** A. Members shall maintain proper personal hygiene. B. Cologne, perfume, and other decorative scents are to be worn conservatively. Please keep in mind other personnel who have allergies or sensitivities to such products. C. Officers shall council members who have excessive amounts of natural or applied odors and order them to remedy the situation. II. **FACIAL HAIR** A. Under no circumstances shall facial hair interfere with the face mask seal, protective clothing or equipment. 1. Facial hair shall not be allowed at points where the SCBA face piece is designed to seal with the face. 2. Any facial hair considered to be unsafe shall be trimmed/shaved to eliminate the hazard. 3. Fire personnel who are unable to shave facial hair, because of illness or injury, may not be assigned to a field position. B. The facial hair allowed shall be neatly trimmed sideburns, mustaches, and a soul/labret patch (a small patch of hair below the lower lip), all other areas of the face must be clean-shaven. 1. Sideburns a. Can extend to the bottom of the ear lobe with no flair. b. Will be trimmed and well-groomed 2. Mustache a. Will be trimmed and well-groomed b. Shall not be over the bottom of the upper lip and will not extend past 1/2 inch below the corners of the mouth. c. Extreme styling of mustaches is not permitted. 3. Labret/Soul Patch a. Shall not extend below the bottom of your chin or interfere with an SCBA facepiece. III. **HAIRSTYLES** A. Hair shall be kept clean and well groomed, shall not constitute a safety hazard, and at no time shall interfere with the use of protective clothing or equipment. 1. All hair below shoulder length shall be worn in a manner that controls the hair such as ponytail, braid, in a bun, etc. B. Any hairstyle that significantly distracts from the uniform appearance of the members will not be allowed. IV. **TATTOOS/BODY ART/BRANDS\ ** A. No tattoos/body art/brands on the head, face, neck, or scalp are allowed. 1. If personnel that have tattoos that meet the criteria above, they must be covered while at work. B. Tattoos/body art/brands elsewhere on the body \[to include sleeve tattoos (or tattoo sleeves)\] that are prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale or are of a nature to bring discredit to the department are prohibited. - For example, tattoos/body art/brands that are excessive, obscene, sexually explicit or advocate or symbolize sex, gender, racial, religious, ethnic or national origin discrimination are prohibited. In addition, tattoos/body art/brands that advocate or symbolize gang affiliation, violence, supremacist or extremist groups, or drug use are prohibited. 1. In the event personnel already have sleeve tattoos that meets this criteria, they have the option to: a. Wear a long sleeve uniform shirt. b. Wear a cover up sleeve. C. The decision as to the appropriateness of a tattoo shall be made by the Fire Chief or his designee. V. **INTENTIONAL BODY MODIFICATION/MUTILATION, INTENTIONAL SCARRING\ ** A. Any intentional body modification/mutilation, or intentional scarring that are excessive or eccentric are prohibited. - Some examples are: - A split or forked tongue - Foreign objects inserted under the skin to create a design or pattern - Enlarged or stretched out holes in the ears (other than a normal piercing). - Intentional scarring that appears on the neck, face, or scalp. VI. **PIERCINGS** A. All earrings will be attached to the ear lobe and will not rise above the ear canal opening. While on duty members may wear one stud earring per ear not to exceed 2 mm. 1. Female personnel in business/formal attire may wear one dangling and one stud earring per ear, or two stud earrings per ear, so long as they are not in a response position. Piercing of visible body parts other than those written in this policy are prohibited. B. Body piercing shall not be visible to the public anytime. 1. Nose jewelry, tongue jewelry, eyebrow jewelry, or other exposed piercings or jewelry are prohibited. VII. **JEWELRY** A. Members are prohibited from wearing any jewelry that is considered inappropriate or offensive to any individual or group. B. Members may wear jewelry of a conservative style at their discretion so long as it does not present a safety concern. C. Rings may be worn if they are not overly large or ornate and will not subject the individual to potential injury. D. Rings that interfere with the quick donning of turnout coats and gloves are not permitted. Necklaces shall be tucked under the shirt at all times. E. Watches are allowed, but it is recommended that expansion or "break away" bands be worn. Review/Revised - 06/06/17 - Rewrite - 10/30/2018 - II,A,3 -- added injury - II,B,3,a -- Clarified Soul Patch Perimeters - 04/30/2019 - I, C -- Added new section