SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
Grooming Standards
Purpose
To establish guidelines concerning standards of personal appearance for Fire Department members
Objective
A. To list those grooming standards considered to be essential by the Fire Department.
B. To provide personal appearance standards which will enable Fire Department members to present
a neat and professional appearance at all times.
Scope
All members of the Cleveland Fire Department (while on duty) shall abide by the standards contained
within this policy.
Responsibility
A. Individual officers are responsible for the appearance of members under their direct supervision.
B. All members are responsible to abide by Departmental grooming standards and maintain a neat
and professional appearance while on duty or in uniform.
Policy
A. Fire Department members shall maintain a high standard of dress and personal appearance.
B. Members (while on duty) shall abide by Departmental grooming standards.
Hair
Members may have any hair style, providing that hair is neatly arranged and does not extend below the
midpoint of the collar of the uniform shirt at the back of the neck when standing, nor extend from the
earlobes at the side. Natural or Afro styles may not extend from the head more than 2 inches. Hair may not
protrude from the standard fire helmet. Styles such as Mohawks, pigtails, or pinned-up long hair are not
acceptable. Artificial hair colors that may draw undue attention and are outside acceptable Fire Department
standards are prohibited.
Sideburns
A. Sideburns may extend to the bottom of the ear and shall be squarely cut at the bottom.
B. Sideburns shall be neat in appearance and shall not interfere with the proper seal of a breathing
apparatus facemask.
Wigs or Hairpieces
The wearing of a wig or hairpiece while in uniform is allowed for the purpose of covering natural baldness
or disfiguration. When worn it shall conform to the haircut criteria specified in this policy.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 65
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley