S T A N D A R D A D M I N I S T R A T I V E P O L I C Y

Subject: Personnel Apparel & Appearance

Reference Number: SAP-DEP-003

Effective Date: 1 January 2004

Last Revision Date: 12 March 2018

Signature of Approval:

J. Dan Eggleston, Chief

Purpose:

The purpose of this policy is to establish a standard for the wearing of issued apparel, the procedures for requesting apparel and to

establish policy governing one’s appearance while on duty or representing the Albemarle County Department of Fire Rescue.

Background:

A professional and uniform appearance helps identify personnel as members of Albemarle County Fire Rescue and invokes

confidence in the citizens they serve. The following policy shall define the standard uniform complement, condition, and placement

of uniform hardware.

Policy:

A. Department issued uniforms remain the property of Albemarle County Fire Rescue and shall only be worn while representing

the Department or County in an official capacity.

B. Uniform Hardware

Insignia/Regalia: Only department issued insignia/regalia may be displayed on uniforms.

1. The badge will be pinned to the designated badge placement area of the shirt/blouse, above the left pocket as shown.

Badge

Chief Officers-

Gold with Commonwealth Seal

Captain-

Gold with rank insignia

Master Firefighter-

Silver with red rank insignia

Senior Firefighter and below-

Silver with rank insignia

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2. Collar Insignia

a. The collar insignia on the dress shirt shall be aligned so that the pin’s axis is in line with the collar point and

placed approximately 1 inch from the tip of the collar as shown.

Dress Shirt

Chief

Deputy Chief

Battalion/Division Chief

Captain

Master Firefighter

Firefighter

b. The collar insignia on the dress blouse shall be aligned so that the pin’s axis is in line with where the collar and

lapel meet and placed approximately 1 inch above that point as shown.

Dress Blouse/Jacket

Chief

Deputy Chief

Battalion/Division Chief

Captain

Master Firefighter

Firefighter

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4. The bottom of the nametag shall rest along the top stitching of the right pocket as shown.

Nametag

Captain and above-

Gold

Master Firefighter and below-

Silver

5. Commendation Medals & Ribbons & Regalia

a. Department recognized commendation medals and pins will only be worn with dress uniforms, Class A or Class B,

for events such as award ceremonies and other non-operational special events.

b. Commendation medals and pins will be placed on the uniform above the name bar on the right chest.

i. Pins shall be placed ¼ inch above the name bar and centered.

ii. In the case of multiple pins, no more than three wide and three high shall be displayed.

iii. Only the highest of each category shall be displayed.

iv. Pins shall be displayed in order of prestige from top to bottom and right to left.

v. Department recognized awards are listed below in order of prestige.

Commendation Pins

Meritorious Service Award

Executive Fire Officer

Virginia Fire Officer Academy

C. Uniform Cleanliness

1. All issued apparel shall be clean and in good repair whenever worn. The following are examples of unacceptable attire.

a) Wrinkled apparel.

b) Stained, faded, or torn apparel.

c) Shirts untucked.

d) Unlaced/unzipped boots.

e) Poorly fitting apparel.

2. Apparel deemed not suitable for use shall be turned in and replaced or repaired as soon as possible.

D. Station boots

1. Station boots may consist of boots issued by the quartermaster, or purchased by personnel, with approval of the

quartermaster.

2. Any station boots purchased by personnel must be black in color, contain a safety or steel toe feature that is compliant

with ASTM F2413, and of a design approved by the operations chief or quartermaster in advance.

3. Reimbursement of such boots will require a proof of purchase and receipt and will be reimbursed up to the designated

amount for that fiscal year.

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E. Coveralls

Coveralls may be worn over the Class E uniform for emergency responses or during maintenance activities to protect and

maintain the cleanliness of the uniform.

F. Non-issued Uniform Items

1. Personnel may wear non-issued items with the approval of the Deputy Chief and/or Quartermaster.

2. Personnel will incur all costs associated with non-issued items, including, but not limited to the initial purchase,

replacement, and repair.

F. Personal Hygiene

1. Hair shall be neat and clean in appearance and be of a natural hair color. Hair shall be worn so that it does not extend

below the collar, and so that it does not interfere with the performance of the job or the wearing of safety apparatus.

2. Personnel shall report to work clean-shaven. Beards, goatees, and hair growth below the lower lip (AKA: Soul Patch)

are not allowed, however closely cropped mustaches that do not extend below the corners of the mouth are approved.

Sideburns will not extend below the bottom of the earlobe and shall be kept neatly trimmed. At no time shall facial

hair interfere with the facemask seal.

3. Use of make-up and perfumes/cologne should be kept to a minimum.

G. Jewelry

1. Jewelry shall be limited in quantity, discreet in design, and not interfere with safety.

2. Facial jewelry is not permitted.

3. The following items are considered acceptable:

a) Stud-type earrings; one per ear lobe

b) Rings; one per hand

c) Watches and fitness bands; one per hand

d) Necklaces; a single necklace is permitted as long as it remains inside the uniform shirt at all times

H. Tattoos

1. Any visible tattoo and/or branding must be in good taste and may not contain any design or wording that may be

deemed obscene, vulgar, or offensive.

2. If in the Chief’s sole discretion, a tattoo or brand is considered offensive the employee shall be required to cover it with

issued clothing or a skin colored tattoo cover while on duty.

I. Uniform Classes

1. Class A: This uniform shall be worn at all formal events or as directed by the Chief or Officer-in-Charge (OIC).

a) Dress Uniform Blouse/Jacket

a. Gold stripes on each sleeve shall match the number of

bugles on collar insignia

b) Long-Sleeve Dress Shirt

1. Captain and above – White

2. Master Firefighter and below – Light Blue

3. If an undershirt is worn it should be white

c) Navy Blue Dress Uniform Pants (No EMS uniform pants)

d) Department issued belt and dress buckle

1. Captain and above- Gold

2. Master Firefighter and below - Silver

e) Tie

f) Black Uniform Shoes

g) Black or Navy Socks

h) Issued Insignia, Regalia

i) Ball Caps are not permitted

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2. Class B: This uniform shall be worn during inspections, public education activities, public demonstrations, and any

other informal public event as directed by the Chief or OIC. This will also serve as the primary formal dress uniform

until a Class A is issued.

a. Button Down Dress Shirt

1. Chief Officers – White

2. Captain and below – Navy Blue

3. If an undershirt is worn it should be similar in color

b. Tie is optional with the long sleeve white shirt

c. Four Pocket Navy Blue Uniform Pants (EMS pants may not be

worn with Class B)

d. Department issued belt and ACFR buckle

e. Approved Station Boots

f. Issued work shirts or Jackets may also be worn as necessary,

but a clean professional image shall be maintained

g. Issued Insignia, Regalia

h. Ball Caps are not permitted

3. Class C: This uniform shall be worn during the hours of 0600-2000, including typical work assignments and department

con-ed, unless noted below. In all cases, employees should make every effort to return to the appropriate uniform as

soon as possible.

a. Operations and Training Divisions

1. Polo Shirt

a. Chief Officers – White

b. Captain and below – Dark Blue

2. If an undershirt is worn it should be similar in color

3. Navy Blue Uniform Pants or Navy Blue EMS uniform pants

4. Department issued belt and ACFR buckle

b. Prevention Division

1. Black button down uniform shirt

2. Khaki Uniform Pants

3. Department issued belt

c. Approved Station Boots

d. Issued work shirts or Jackets as necessary

e. Issued Ball Caps or stocking caps as necessary

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4. Class D: This uniform may be worn during the hours of 2000-0600 and when directed by the OIC for maintenance and

training activities such as hose testing or live fire training.

a. Grey Tee Shirt

b. Navy Blue Uniform Pants or Navy Blue EMS uniform pants

c. Department issued belt and ACFR buckle

d. Approved Station Boots

e. Issued work shirts or Jackets as necessary

f. Issued Ball Caps or stocking caps as necessary

5. Class E: This uniform may be worn during physical training activities and while sleeping in station dormitories. At no

time shall an employee wear this uniform in public view except for physical training.

a. Grey Tee Shirt

b. Navy Blue Sweat Shorts or Sweat Pants

c. Personal Footwear Appropriate for physical training

d. Issued work shirts or Jackets as necessary

e. Issued Ball Caps or stocking caps as necessary

6. Civilian Attire: It may be appropriate to wear civilian attire while

attending meetings or training sessions (not to include department con-

ed sessions). In all cases, members shall maintain a professional and

appropriate appearance while representing the department.