Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual

Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Personal Appearance Standards 1028.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE In order to project uniformity and neutrality toward the public and other members of the Department, members shall maintain their personal hygiene and appearance to ensure a professional image appropriate for this department and for their assignment. The procedures contained herein are intended to promote uniformity of the members of the Department by addressing specific grooming items. However, nothing herein shall limit the department’s ability to address any other grooming or personal appearance deemed improper for members of the Department. 1028.2 POLICY It is the policy of the Chesapeake Fire Department that all members meet required personal hygiene and grooming standards while on-duty or conducting official business. 1028.3 GROOMING STANDARDS The following appearance standards shall apply to all members except those whose current assignment would deem them not appropriate or where the Fire Chief or the authorized designee has granted an exception. 1028.3.1 PERSONAL HYGIENE All members must maintain proper personal hygiene. Examples of improper personal hygiene include but are not limited to dirty fingernails, bad breath, body odor, and dirty or unkempt hair. Any member who has a condition due to a protected category (e.g., race, physical disability) which affects any aspect of personal hygiene covered by this policy may qualify for an accommodation and should report any need for an accommodation to a supervisor or the Department of Human Resources. 1028.3.2 HAIR The hairstyle of all members shall be neat in appearance. (a) The female firefighter's hair may be worn down except when wearing PPE and respiratory protection. At such times, hair should be pulled back or up so as not to present a safety risk. (b) The male firefighter's hair should not extend longer than the lowest point of the back of the shirt collar. (c) The use of pins or hairnets to conceal hair that is longer than allowed by this policy is not permitted. (d) Hair length and style must not interfere with, or have a negative impact on job performance or professional appearance of the individual. (e) Extreme hair styles, such as tails, spikes, Mohawks, and fluorescent coloring are not acceptable. Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Personal Appearance Standards (f) Hair must be groomed so that when the head is covered, the hair does not fall below the eyebrows. (g) Hair must not interfere with a proper seal of the SCBA. 1028.3.3 HAIRPIECES AND WIGS Hairpieces and wigs worn on duty must be of good quality and fit, present a natural appearance, not interfere with the proper performance of duty, and conform to the grooming standards set forth in this policy. 1028.3.4 MUSTACHES Mustaches must be neatly trimmed at all times and must not interfere with the wearing of breathing apparatus. Mustache hair may not fall below the midpoint between the corner of the mouth and the bottom of the jaw. . 1028.3.5 SIDEBURNS Sideburns shall not extend below the bottom of the ear and shall be trimmed and neat. 1028.3.6 BEARDS AND GOATEES Beards and goatees are prohibited. A small growth of hair, not to exceed ½” x ½” is permitted in the center of the chin, just beneath the lower lip. 1028.3.7 FACIAL HAIR Facial hair other than sideburns, mustaches, and eyebrows shall not be worn, unless authorized by the Fire Chief or the authorized designee. 1028.3.8 COSMETICS Members are permitted to wear cosmetics of conservative color and amount. 1028.3.9 FINGERNAILS Fingernails extending beyond the tip of the finger can pose a safety hazard to members working in the field. For this reason, fingernails shall be trimmed so that no point of the nail extends beyond the tip of the finger. 1028.3.10 JEWELRY AND ACCESSORIES No jewelry or personal ornaments shall be worn by members on-duty on any part of the uniform or equipment, except those authorized within this manual. Members should be mindful of wearing jewelry that can become snagged or caught during performance of fire suppression duties. • Necklaces or jewelry worn around the neck shall not be visible above the shirt collar. Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Personal Appearance Standards • Finger rings are permitted, provided the employee wears gloves during emergency operations, or when appropriate to the situation. • Men are not permitted to wear earring(s) while on duty. Women may wear posttype earrings that are no more that 1/8" in diameter and protrude no more than 1/8". Earrings that dangle are not permitted. Only one earring per earlobe is permitted 1028.3.11 EXCEPTIONS All members of the department must comply with these standards while in uniform, except those specifically exempted by name, in writing, by the respective division head or Fire Chief. While any request for exception to this policy will be considered, generally only exceptions for medical reasons will be granted. 1028.4 TATTOOS Tattoos, brands or mutilations that are inappropriate, as determined at the sole discretion of the Fire Chief, must also be covered. Inappropriate marks may include, but are not limited to, marks that exhibit or advocate discrimination; marks that promote or express gang, supremacist or extremist group affiliation; and marks that depict or promote drug use, sexually explicit acts or other obscene material. 1028.5 BODY PIERCING OR ALTERATION Except for a single-stud pierced earring worn in the lobe of each ear (for females only), no body piercing shall be visible while any member is on-duty or representing the Department in any official capacity. Alteration to any area of the body visible in any authorized uniform or attire that is a deviation from normal anatomical features and which is not medically required is prohibited. Such body alteration includes but is not limited to: (a) Tongue splitting or piercing. (b) The complete or trans-dermal implantation of any material other than hair replacement. (c) Abnormal shaping of the ears, eyes, nose, or teeth. (d) Branding or scarification.