Uniforms and Protective Clothing
I. Actual language negotiated by Local 1547, Luke AFB
1. An initial, replacement and annual maintenance allowance shall be paid by the employer in accordance with Title 5, United States Code, subchapter I, Sections 5901 and 5902. This is currently established at $400.00. When changes in the dollar amount of the allowance occur, the Employer will ensure the uniform allowance is adjusted accordingly and in a timely manner. The fire chief or designee will prepare, certify and forward the pay voucher to the finance office in timely manner.2. Initial allowance - $400.00 - to be paid within [30] days of employment, or as soon as possible thereafter.
3. Replacement allowances to be paid upon proof that the item[s] being replaced were damage while performing the work of the Activity.
4. Annual maintenance allowance - $400.00 - to be paid prior to the last duty day in October
5. Employer will provide the following equipment to its firefighters:
a. 1 @ personal locker;
b. 1 @ fire equipment locker;
c. 2 @ metal name tags;
d. 1 @ pair workout sport shoes;
e. 5 @ fire department shoulder patches;
f. 2 @ sets of collar insignia;
g. 1 @ small fire department badge;
h. 1 @ large fire department badge;
i. 1 @ sunglasses;
j. 1 @ set safety toe shoes;
k. 1 @ work coveralls;
l. 1 @ safety glasses/goggles;
m. 1 @ safety eyeglasses for wear in SCBA; [employee to provide doctors prescription];
n. 1 @ dark blue ball cap.
o. 2 @ workout sweat suits;
p. 5 @ workout short pants,
q. 5 @ workout T-shirts;
r. 1 @ athletic training shoesNOTE: Employees may procure work shoes at their own expense. However, work shoes must meet OSHA or ANSI specifications.
6. One for one, employees may request the replacement of any issued item.
7. Changes in the established uniform may occur only through negotiations with the Union prior to 1 April. Affected employees will have at least 6 months prior notice of any planned uniform change.
8. All bargaining unit firefighters external uniform items shall be adorned with the American Federation of Government Employees firefighters Maltese cross, as appropriate [patch will be sewn on the right sleeve of the dress shirt and winter jacket]. The Union will provide the design for these patches and the Employer shall provide them to employees as described in 5-e of this Article.
9. Short pants are a permissible uniform item. The style of short pants shall be consistent with that worn by other metro phoenix fire departments.
10. Only OSHA/NFPA approved firefighter protective clothing [fire-gear] will be provided by the Employer and worn by firefighters in fire fighting operations.
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II. Actual language negotiated by Local 1834, Fort Wainwright
Responsibility: It is the responsibility of the Fort Wainwright Fire and Emergency Services Fire Chief to ensure that all department supplied items are on hand to issue to new members and for replacement of worn items. It is the responsibility of each Fire and Emergency Services member to properly keep and maintain all uniform components in a serviceable state. When the uniform is worn employees will, at all times, present a neat appearance, clothes cleaned, pressed, shoes shined, tie (when worn) neatly tied and cap (when worn) worn squarely on the head.
Compliance: By the first anniversary of the signing of this SOP or the date on which the Fort Wainwright Fire and Emergency Services personnel receive the 2007 uniform allowance, whichever comes later. One uniform set in compliance with this SOP is to be purchased with the 2006 uniform allowance. A second set is to be purchased with the 2007 uniform allowance.
Duty Uniform:
This uniform shall be worn when personnel are on duty:
a) Uniform Coat:
Firefighters, Dispatchers and Company Officers—hip or waist length, Navy blue in color 2 layer system with a removable jacket on the inside. Outside and interior coat will be embroidered with an approved department logo.b) Uniform Pants:
- Firefighters and Company Officers – Navy Blue flame resistance textiles (Nomex)
- Dispatchers – polyester or blend, Navy Blue in color with approval of Fire Chief.
c) Uniform Shirt:
- Firefighters – Navy Blue flame resistance textiles (Nomex) and rank listed below.
- Company Officers – Light Blue flame resistance textiles (Nomex) and rank listed below.
- Dispatchers —Navy blue with Fire Chief approval.
Rank insignia: appropriate closed style
insignias shall be worn:
- Fire Captains 2 silver parallel bugles
- Driver-Operators Fire Apparatus
- Firefighters Firefighter Scramble
- Dispatcher Lightning bolt with Mic
Badge: The current metal shield shall be
worn above the left breast pocket.
Name Tag: Shall be metal and worn above
the right breast pocket and matching the
color of the appropriate rank insignia and
state members name above position/title.
d) Other Approved Shirts:
- Badge shirt- Shall be worn at roll call and any time the member leaves the fire station while on duty.
- Golf shirt/Polo- Navy Blue made of predominantly natural fibers with approved logo, to be worn at the discretion of the duty Assistant Chief.
- T-shirt - Navy Blue made of predominantly natural fibers with approved logo to be worn with Uniform, polo shirt and P/T time
- Job Shirt - Navy Blue made of predominantly natural fibers with approved logo to be worn for working in and around station.
e) Coveralls: Navy Blue cotton (for dirty training or dirty work details only).
f) Cap: A Fire and Emergency Services ball cap may be worn with all uniforms. No caps are to be worn on the airfield.
g) Boots: 1 Pair boots – black boots ANSI Z41 approved. Normally boots will be bought through a GSA contract vendor, such as Danner. Medical certification which requires a boot type or style other than that available through a GSA contract vendor will be considered reason for an exception to the normal boot procurement process. Replacement frequency will be no more than once per calendar year. Special circumstances will be considered for more frequent replacement (i.e., contamination, damage, etc.)
h) Belt: Plain or basket weave type, black in color with plain or fire related buckle.
i) Shoulder patch: Will be worn on the left sleeve centered and one inch down from the top shoulder seam. A certification patch or U.S. Flag may be worn on Right sleeve.
Physical Fitness /Stand-by Mode (P/T) Clothing:
This uniform shall be worn when personnel are in and around the Fire Stations after duty hours or at the discretion of the on duty A/C or at the gym. P/T uniforms will be of predominately natural fibers. This uniform shall consist of the following:a) Pants: Navy blue sweat pants or shorts.
b) Shirts: Navy blue sweatshirt or T-shirt with or without logo, (no tank tops).
c) Shoes: Appropriate kind for the PT activity
Wearing of uniform:
a) Only uniforms as described are authorized at any time while in a work status.
b) Uniforms must be neat, clean, in good repair and available for use as requested or required while at work.
c) Shirt tails will be worn inside at all times.
d) Long sleeve t-shirts may be worn with long sleeve shirts only. Long-sleeve t-shirts with mock turtlenecks are acceptable (no logos on collar).
e) An official union pin and certification pins may be worn on the right pocket flap but are not to extend beyond the pocket flap.
g) Personnel may change to civilian attire ten (10) minutes prior to going off duty.
Provided Items: Management will provide and replace, as needed, the following items:
1 – Coat: 2 layer system w/embroidery
1 – Pair Boot
2 – Breast badges
2 – Metal name tag
2 - Rank insignia
2 – Ball caps with fire and emergency services logo embroidered on the front
PT clothing as follows:
1 – Sweatshirt (hooded sweatshirt, optional)
1 – Sweatpants
1 – Pair of shorts
1 – Towel
5- T-shirts with department logo
1 – Washer dryer set at each station for the use of cleaning and maintaining of all issued department uniforms.
Grooming Standards:
a) Hair: Shall be neatly groomed and hair put up not to exceed the bottom of the shirt collar.
b) Facial Hair: Facial hair shall meet or exceed the requirements in NFPA and OSHA.
c) Earrings will not be worn.
Uniform Allowance
a) Will be issued on a yearly basis.
This procedure supersedes all other and/or directives of a previous date, wherever they conflict with these procedures.
After Hours Dress
Policy/Guidelines:
1. Personnel may be dressed in the following manner. The color of the after hours dress is as follows, navy blue.
- Sweat pants; sweat shirt with department logo or T-shirt with department logo.
- Uniform work pants with sweatshirt or T-shirt (department logo only).
- Tennis shoes or work boots are the only shoes authorized to be worn after hours. Shower clogs, slippers or any open toe type shoe will not be permitted.
2. All clothing shall be clean and in good condition, without holes, patches, or paint. No cut-offs trousers or Bermuda type shorts will be allowed at any time. All members returning from physical fitness will change into the required dress when in quarters.
3. All after-hours clothing will be free of any type of advertisement with the exception of the FWFD and this fire department. If a tee shirt order has not been placed then a plane navy blue shirt shall be worn.
4. Personnel standing Dispatch Duties shall be in proper uniform at all times.
5. Any person dressed in after-hours clothing, when leaving the station to other facilities, other than fire department responses, shall change into the proper uniform prior to leaving the building. This includes but is not limited to emergency response.
This Administrative procedure supersedes all orders and/or directives of a previous date, wherever they conflict with these procedures.
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III. Actual language negotiated by Local 1770, Fort Bragg:
PERSONAL GROOMING: Personal grooming habits can be a source of hazard to firefighters. Mustaches, beards, and sideburns can cause air leakage around the face piece of self-contained breathing apparatus, which can result in serious injury or death of a firefighter in a contaminated atmosphere or under fire rescue conditions. Some hairstyles and lengths can prevent the proper fitting of protective helmets, or subject the firefighter’s hair to unnecessary danger of becoming entangled during rescue operations or other types of hazardous conditions. Therefore, all firefighters will conform to the following grooming code, as established and administered by the Fire Chief:
a. The hair on top of the head will be neatly groomed, and its length and bulk will not be excessive or present a ragged, unkempt or extreme appearance. Hair will be tapered, and will not fall over the eyebrows or extend past the lower portion of the collar. In no case will the bulk or length of the hair be so great as to interfere with normal wear and fit of any standard firefighter headgear.
b. If the individual desires to wear sideburns, they will be trimmed neatly. Firefighters will insure that the length or width of sideburns will not interfere with the proper and safe wearing of the face respiratory mask.c. The face will be clean-shaven, except that mustaches are permitted. However, if a mustache is worn, it will be kept tidy and neatly trimmed. Firefighters will insure that the length or width of the mustache will not interfere with the proper and safe wearing of the face respiratory mask. Goatees and beards are not authorized.
d. The wearing of any facial jewelry, or earrings, while in a duty status is not authorized.
e. The wearing of a wig or hairpiece while on duty is prohibited, except to cover natural baldness or physical disfiguration. When a hairpiece is worn the hairpiece/wig will meet above grooming criteria for natural hair, and will not be made from synthetic material.
CLOTHING: While engaged in routine work details, fire training exercises, and public relations activities, firefighters will wear the uniform prescribed by Department Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). When not engaged in routine work details, fire training exercises, and public relations activities, during scheduled standby time firefighters may wear their physical training (PT) attire, or if they choose to, they will be permitted to wear casual attire in and around the fire station. All casual attire worn by employees will consist of primarily (50% or more) natural fibers or fibers that are flame resistant in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), dated 1975 “Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Fire and Emergency Services”. To ensure ready recognition of a firefighter, the casual attire will be of gray, black, or navy blue color. The casual wear will be purchased by the individual firefighter.
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IV. Language Proposed by Local 1770, Fort Bragg:
B. Protective Clothing. Protective clothing and equipment furnished to unit employees will be in accordance with the requirements of OSHA and NFPA Standards. Employees shall be responsible for the condition of items furnished and return of such items as required by the Employer. Equipment utilized by unit employees will be in accordance with the requirements of the NFPA 1500 Standards. The Employer agrees to replace/repair protective clothing and equipment, when worn out or contaminated. The Employer further agrees that new employees will be issued properly sized protective gear. The Employer also agrees to maintain on the installation a ready supply of protective equipment for emergency purposes in accordance with applicable regulations. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, Firefighters' protective clothing (structural and crash gear), SCBA masks, prescription safety glasses for SCBA masks, flashlight (non-conducting rubber covered cell type, explosive atmosphere rated), a multi-plier tool, coveralls, work & fire gloves, eye protection, hearing protection and Nomex hoods. Additional equipment will be provided as needed.
C. Bargaining Unit Employees will not be required to share any part of his/her turnout gear and/or protective equipment with another employee unless cleaned and sanitized in accordance with established procedures.
K. PROTECTIVE FOOTWEAR. The Employer agrees to provide two (2) pairs of protective footwear (safety shoes) annually to all bargaining unit employees. This will be accomplished by allowing employees to go to an approved vendor in town.
L. PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR. The Employer agrees to provide one (1) pair of protective eyewear (safety glasses) annually to all bargaining unit employees. The Employer also agrees to provide SCBA mask inserts and prescription lenses (to be replaced annually or as needed based on damage or a change in prescription) for those employees that request them.
M. SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS. The Employer agrees that all bargaining unit employees will be provided and fit tested for their own SCBA facemask.
CLOTHING
This Section sets forth the terms and conditions for providing, maintaining, and the wearing of the station uniform, protective footwear and uniform allowances for bargaining unit employees. The requirements and conditions for the station uniform for bargaining unit employees will be in accordance with current provisions for Ft Bragg, DOD, and this Article. The station uniform will provide the best protection possible in accordance with NFPA 1975 for the Firefighters employed at the Fort Bragg Fire & Emergency Service Division. The Union will be notified in advance, in writing, of any changes in the prescribed station uniform.
B. PRESCRIBED (STANDARD) UNIFORM. The uniform for bargaining unit employees shall consist of jacket (during cold weather), trousers, and uniform shirt as described below.
C. ACCESSORIES. The Employer agrees to continue providing the accessories for the Station uniform that will consist of hat badge, breast badge, collar devices, name tag, emblems, shoulder patches, and EMT patch.
D. OPTIONAL/ABBREVIATED UNIFORM. Bargaining unit employees while engaged in routine work details, fire training exercises, and in a leisure status will be allowed to wear navy blue job shirt or sweatshirt (winter), and baseball cap. The job shirt will be dressed with only approved patches and baseball cap will be of approved style. Such alternate clothing shall be at the expense of the employer. The appropriate station uniform will be required as described in paragraph B. After normal duty hours, bargaining unit employees will be permitted to wear prescribed casual attire in and around (close proximity) to the fire station. Furthermore, during their stand-by period not including the lunch period, bargaining unit employees will be permitted to wear the station work uniform, the optional abbreviated uniform and/or prescribed casual attire in the fire station.
E. MODE OF DRESS. The standard station uniform for bargaining unit employees as described in the above paragraph B will be worn in two modes, the dress mode and the work mode. These modes of dress shall be accomplished by adding or subtracting various uniform parts.
1. DRESS MODE. The Parties agree to establish a policy for providing and maintaining a Class "A" type dress uniform, uniform shirt, tie, bell cap. At all times when bargaining unit employees are on any official presentations or award ceremonies outside the fire stations or Directorate of Emergency Services, except those outlined in paragraphs 2. and 3., this uniform may be worn.
2. WORK DRESS MODE. The work dress mode for bargaining unit employees will consist of the uniform shirt, trousers, and jacket(s). Bargaining unit employees will be required to maintain this required uniform in their lockers at all times. At all times when bargaining unit employees are on any official performance of duty outside the fire stations that brings them in contact with base or public officials; on or off base, bargaining unit employees will wear the uniform in the dress mode.
3. WORK MODE. The work mode for bargaining unit employees will consist of the t-shirt, open collar, trousers, and jacket (dependent on climatic conditions). The baseball cap is authorized but not required when engaged in routine duties, training exercises, classes, and in a leisure status. The optional abbreviated uniform may be worn as described in paragraph D above.
F. When wearing the uniform, bargaining unit employees will at all times present a neat appearance; i.e., clothes cleaned and in an acceptable state of repair. The Employer agrees that bargaining unit employees shall not be required to wear the station uniform to and from work. Bargaining unit employees must be well groomed at all times. Hair should be nearly trimmed to a degree that long, loose hair does not present a hazard when wearing the protective equipment. Acceptability of hair will hinge on the ability of the employee to obtain a tight seal with breathing apparatus. Therefore, all firefighters will conform to the following grooming codes, as established and administered by the Employer:
1. The hair on the top of the head will be neatly groomed, and its length and bulk will not be excessive or present a ragged, unkempt or extreme appearance. In no case will the bulk or length of the hair be so great as to interfere with the normal wear and fit of any standard firefighter headgear.
2. Firefighters will insure that the length of the sideburns will not interfere with the proper and safe wearing of the self-contained breathing apparatus face piece.
3. The face will be clean-shaven, except that mustaches and/or the “soul patch” are permitted. However, if a mustache is worn, it will be kept tidy and neatly trimmed. Mustaches will not interfere with the proper and safe wearing of the self-contained breathing apparatus face piece.
4. The wearing of a wig or hairpiece while on duty is prohibited, except to cover natural baldness or physical disfiguration caused by accident or medical procedure. When so worn, hairpieces/wigs will meet established criteria for hair.
5. No facial jewelry or earrings will be worn while in a duty status.
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***** Notes on Uniform Allowance *****
In April 2007 OPM issued regulations raising the maximum annual amount payable for uniform allowances to $800. However, as of Noember 2007, the annual amount DoD can pay was capped by a title 10 provision.
It is suggested that negotiations include proposals that provide for:
1) the maximum annual amount permissible by either OPM or DoD for uniform maintenance and repair will be paid.
2) Class A (Dress Uniform) is a seperate uniform and will be required at such time as the original issuance allowance is increased to at least $1500 and made available to each firefighter for the purchase of such uniform.