Chesapeake Fire Department Uniform Regulations PDF

Policy 1029 Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Uniform Regulations - 1 Uniform Regulations 1029.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to establish uniform...

Policy 1029 Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Uniform Regulations - 1 Uniform Regulations 1029.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to establish uniform regulations for members in order to enhance the department’s overall professional and positive image. 1029.1.1 DEFINITIONS Civilian Dress- Non-uniformed members are expected to maintain the same professional business appearance required of all sworn, uniformed members, and in accordance with Administrative Regulation 2.38. Class A- Designated for ceremonial wear and worn for such events as funerals, memorial services, awards services, promotional ceremonies, speaking engagements, and other high- profile gatherings where formal dress most appropriately projects the professional image of the Chesapeake Fire Department. Class B- The daily dress uniform, is intended to enhance the professional appearance of the member and is worn for Officer assignments to Fire Administration, inter-Departmental meetings within the City, regional multi- Departmental meetings, court appearances, and other events where a higher standard of dress would be more appropriate than the Field Duty Uniform. Civilian dress with proper city ID, is acceptable when approved by the Fire Chief/ designee. Class C- The uniform is intended to provide functional and comfortable utility wear for normal emergency and station activities. This uniform is the standard “front-line” attire for day-to-day operations, training classes while on duty, and emergency service delivery. Class D- Primarily worn for personal activities performed in the non-public areas of the fire stations; i.e. sleeping and physical fitness. Class D wear is acceptable for running, jogging, and walking exercises as part of physical conditioning. Class E- Designated as any other uniform, not described above, worn for special tasks and assignments. 1029.2 POLICY It is the policy of the Chesapeake Fire Department that members shall wear the proper uniform at all times when on-duty or engaged in department-related activities off-duty. Members shall maintain an adequate supply of uniforms to meet the needs of their assignment and maintain the uniforms in an acceptable condition. This policy does not supersede department regulations regarding the use of any personal protective equipment (PPE). 1029.3 STANDARD WORK UNIFORM The standard work uniform for Company Officers, driver/operators and firefighters shall consist of the Nomex® navy blue short- or long-sleeve shirt, Nomex® navy blue trousers, department- issued badge, standard belt with department buckle and black leather boots. Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Uniform Regulations Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Uniform Regulations - 2 The standard work uniform shall be worn as directed. Members are not required to wear the standard work uniform underneath personal protective equipment (PPE) in order to complete the PPE ensemble. Officers shall wear appropriate rank insignia on the standard work uniform. To maintain consistency in appearance and quality all optional wear must be acquired through the Department’s Hot Zone Store. All proceeds will be used to directly support special recreation and family events for CFD members, not funded by the operating budget. 1029.3.1 WORK JACKETS Uniform jackets may be worn as described in this subsection: • At any time over the standard work uniform shirt. • In transit to and from a physical fitness location • Uniform jackets are not fire resistive and shall not be worn underneath PPE • A long-sleeve jacket that is department-approved shall be worn with a long or short- sleeve shirt • Officers shall wear appropriate rank insignia on any uniform jacket 1029.3.2 UNIFORM SHIRT Issued long sleeve/short sleeve button shirt with embroidered badge, name, and collar insignia; the expectation is that this shirt should be worn anytime a member is in contact with the public, on incidents, demonstrations, station tours, meetings, etc. Uniform shirts shall be worn on all EMS calls not requiring turnout gear PPE, and while in the hospital. Long sleeve T-shirts will not extend below the cuff of the uniform shirt. 1029.3.3 T-SHIRTS Official department on-duty t-shirts may be worn as an outer layer at the fire station while performing maintenance, training exercises, cooking, cleaning, physical fitness training, etc., unless there is a public meeting, tour or other similar function taking place at the station, during which time all station personnel shall be in uniform shirts: • Under the standard work uniform shirt. • Uncovered and tucked into the trousers, at the Company Officer's discretion, while working at the fire station or while engaged in company level manipulative training that does not require PPE. • When wearing PPE turnout gear, it is permissible to wear T-shirts only, in lieu of the uniform shirt. • The general expectation is that members would not typically be representing the department and interacting with the public while wearing a T-shirt as the outer layer except as defined in this policy. Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Uniform Regulations Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Uniform Regulations - 3 1029.3.4 BASEBALL CAPS Official department on-duty baseball caps purchased through the Hot Zone Store may be worn, at the discretion of the Company Officer, except: • When a helmet is required. • At formal or semi-formal events or occasions. 1029.3.5 WORK UNIFORM SHOES Uniform shoes must be all black boots, with a leather, polishable, solid toe. If city-issued work uniform shoes cannot be worn for medical reasons, substitutes, approved by the Chief Resource Officer or their designee, will be approved and purchased for the member. If a member is not satisfied with city-approved options, they may self-purchase work uniform shoes. The member will be reimbursed up to the cost of the department-issued work uniform shoe in accordance with the City of Chesapeake Administrative Regulation 1.06. All substitutes must be reviewed and approved by the Battalion Chief Resource Officer or their designee prior to purchase. Any member requesting a Chief Resource Officer review of alternate boots must send documentation of the alternate boots to the Chief Resource Officer through their chain of command. The results of the boot review will be sent to both the department member and their supervisor. The Chief Resource Officer or designee must also visually inspect any approved alternate boots prior to their use. Any self–purchased uniform shoe MUST meet the criteria noted above for City-issued shoes. All shoes will be properly maintained and cared for in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. For a professional appearance, all shoes will be kept cleaned and polished. 1029.3.6 TOBOGGAN (NAVY WATCH CAP) Navy blue,plain style, no ball on top. purchased through the Hot Zone Store (specialized lettering identifying the individual engine company is acceptable, as approved by the Fire Chief/designee) and may be worn outside during winter weather conditions.Under no circumstances should they be worn beneath the helmet during fire fighting operations. 1029.4 PHYSICAL FITNESS UNIFORMS The physical fitness uniform shall primarily be worn when engaged in physical fitness. This consists of athletic shorts, a t-shirt, and athletic shoes. At no time shall Class D clothing be worn while responding to or operating on an incident. The fitness uniform shall be covered with an appropriate work uniform or combination of PPE and work uniform while in transit to and from a physical fitness location. 1029.5 DRESS UNIFORMS Dress uniforms shall be worn as directed by the Fire Chief and when attending the following types of events: Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Uniform Regulations Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Uniform Regulations - 4 • Funerals and memorials • Formal department functions, such as graduations and badge ceremonies • Formal City functions Duty uniforms may be substituted for the dress uniform at the discretion of the Fire Chief. 1029.5.1 DRESS BLOUSE Black dress blouse as issued or purchased by the member through the Department. Department patch on the left sleeve, nametag, badge, rank, CFD lapel insignia, awarded ribbons, Maltese crosses (years of service), and buttons (silver for Fire/EMS members and gold for all Officers, Deputy Fire Marshals, and Fire Inspectors.) Members wearing a dress blouse must keep it buttoned at all times. 1029.5.2 DRESS SHIRT AND PANTS Long sleeve white dress uniform shirt; short sleeve white dress uniform shirt with black trousers may be worn only from April 1st through October 31st. 1029.5.3 DRESS CAP All dress caps will be the CPO-type. The Dress Cap shall be worn by Officers at all formal ceremonies such as funerals, parades, special services, and in other formal settings. Officers should use reasonable discretion as to when and under what circumstances the dress cap should be worn, always considering the image of the Department. • Division Chief and Above – white cover, black visor with gold leaf insignia on visor, badge and gold braid. • Battalion Chief, Captain, and Lieutenant – white cover, black visor, badge and gold braid. 1029.6 CIVILIAN DRESS Non-uniformed CFD members may wear casual attire on Fridays; however, civilian dress, as provided below, does not apply to sworn or field members. The following are examples of acceptable casual attire for civilian, non-sworn members of the CFD: (a) Casual slacks (b) Casual skirts (c) Separates (coordinated tops, skirts, or slacks) (d) Casual shoes (which could include canvas slip-on shoes) (e) Collared or banded collar shirts (which could include golf and polo shirts) (f) Jeans (no faded or torn jeans) Unacceptable Attire (for all members): (a) T-shirts, other than Department issued (b) Clothing with inappropriate graphics or language Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Uniform Regulations Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Uniform Regulations - 5 (c) Faded or torn articles of clothing (d) Halter, tank, or cropped tops (e) Sheer clothing where undergarments are displayed (f) Exercise, spandex, or athletic clothing, except when involved in physical fitness training or as sleepwear (g) Yoga Pants (h) Sweat suits or wind suits, regardless of fabric, except when involved in physical fitness training or as sleepwear (i) Athletic type footwear, including exercise and sports/training shoes, except when involved in physical fitness training (j) Flip-flops 1029.7 UNIFORM MAINTENANCE • Uniforms shall be clean, neat and in good condition and should fit well. • Uniforms must be cleaned and dried as needed according to manufacture's instructions. • Boots and belts shall be clean and polished with black polish. • Metal badges shall be clean and free from excessive scratches.