HFD I-24 Uniform Regulations and Personal Appearance

Vocabulary flashcards covering uniform classifications, grooming standards, and appearance regulations for the Houston Fire Department (Revision 4.4.23).

Purpose of I-24

To provide guidelines for proper wearing of the Houston Fire Department uniform and grooming standards, promote uniformity, maintain esprit de corps, and establish safety measures.

Line of Duty

Defining criteria for free uniform exchange including responding to emergency calls, maintaining station and apparatus equipment, station clean-up, and other assigned duties.

Contaminated Uniform Items

Uniform items with exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and/or chemical products that pose a health risk.

Damaged Uniform Items

Uniform items described as having torn or burn holes.

Soiled Uniform Items

Uniform items with permanent stains from firefighting and/or petroleum products.

Paramedic Patch Placement

Required on the right shoulder of the Class B uniform only, opposite the HFD patch, for members approved by the HFD Medical Director.

Station Patches

May be worn on the right shoulder of the Class B uniform or Job Shirt only; must be approved by the Fire Chief and not exceed the size of the HFD patch.

Dress Uniform

Required for department funerals and formal occasions; includes a dress jacket with badge and award medals, or Class A uniform with ribbons centered $1/4\,in$ above the nametag.

Class A Uniform

Official business uniform (court, public meetings, seminars) consisting of long sleeve shirt (white for Chief Officers, blue for others), tie, epaulets, collar brass, badge, name tag, dress pants, and black dress shoes.

Class B Uniform

Required for community interactive assignments and didactic training; includes current button down shirt, department issued Dickies or tactical pants, and black dress shoes (Wellington style boots or solid black leather athletic shoes allowed for emergency response personnel).

Class C or Duty Uniform

Permitted for station duties, training, and emergency responses; consisting of current issue polo or t-shirt, Dickies or tactical pants, and black shoes or boots.

BDU-style blouse

Dark blue garment worn only during special operations (trench, high-angle, hazmat, etc.) with small HFD patch on left chest and 'Houston Fire' on the back.

Approved Baseball Cap/Boonie Hat

Navy-blue fabric with 'Houston Fire' embroidered on front (gold for officers, silver for Engineer/Operators and Firefighters) with no other markings or station logos.

Rank Insignia

Gold collar brass issued to all classified officers; centered to the point of the collar and $1/4\,in$ from each edge.

HFD Insignia

Silver collar brass issued to Engineer/Operators and Firefighters; placed $1/4\,in$ from each edge and parallel with the top of the collar.

Specialty Designator Pin

Worn with Fire Chief approval to highlight expertise (HazMat, Rescue, EMT-P, etc.); centered in the middle of the left shirt pocket flap on Class A or Class B uniforms.

Mustache Regulations

Kept clean and neat with the full upper lip exposed, extending no more than $1/2\,in$ below or horizontally from the corners of the mouth.

Sideburn Regulations

Neat and close to face, flared no more than $1/2\,in$ at the bottom, ending in a clean horizontal line no lower than the bottom of the earlobe.

Hair Height and Bulk Standards

Hairstyles shall not exceed $4\,in$ from the scalp and length shall not extend past the bottom of the shirt collar.

Fingernail Standard

Clean and neatly trimmed so as not to extend more than $1/8\,in$ beyond the fingertips.

Jewelry Limits

One ring per hand, one watch, and one neck chain (worn inside the shirt and unnoticed) are permissible.

Stud Earring Standards

Diamond, gold, or silver only; not exceeding $6\,mm$ in size; limited to one per ear.

Tunnels

Large diameter ear piercings not to exceed $1/2\,in$ in diameter; must be plugged with non-combustible/non-melting material.

Visible Tattoo and Body Art Prohibition

Regardless of content, no tattoo/body art located on the hands or on or above the neck shall be visible on any employee.