Wearing of the Department Uniform
DRESS UNIFORM
The
CDF dress uniform will be worn when appropriate to formal meetings, special
events, or gatherings. The dress uniform consists of the following items which
meet the CDF dress uniform standards.
REQUIRED:
1. DRESS UNIFORM CAP
DRESS
CAP WEAR PROTOCOLS:
a.
A dress cap is to be worn with the dress uniform
when outdoors. A dress cap is never worn indoors, with the exception of Honor
Guard members, or as directed for special ceremonial events.
2.
COAT:
a.
Black color; 100% wool or 55% polyester/45% wool
blend, gabardine or tropical weave; double breasted coat style; six buttons -
California "Eureka" style silver or nickel finish metal buttons (gold
finish metal buttons for chief officers).
3. BADGE:
a.
The CDF issued badge will be worn over left pocket
at badge tab.
4. COAT NAMEPLATE:
a.
The only nameplate authorized for wear on the dress
jacket is as follows: metal, with silver finish, (gold finish for chief
officers).
5. TROUSERS:
a.
Black color, 100% wool or 55% polyester/45% wool
blend, gabardine or tropical weave; plain front and straight leg style; two
side and two rear hip pockets.
6. BELT:
a.
One and one-half inch wide, black leather,
basket-weave design. The buckle will be plain square-shaped with center bar,
with nickel finish (gold finish for Chief Officers).
7. SHIRT:
a.
White in color, polyester/cotton blend fabric. Long
sleeves with CDF uniform patch sewn onto each sleeve centered one-half inch
below shoulder seam.
8. T-SHIRT (WHITE):
a.
Short sleeve, 100% heavyweight cotton 6.0 ounce or
heavier, crewneck, plain with no lettering, markings or designs.
9. NECKTIE:
a.
The necktie will always be worn with the dress
uniform. It will be a Broome 3-inch, style #455. Plain, black in color with
10. COLLAR BRASS:
a.
Appropriate rank designation collar brass will be
worn on the uniform shirt only.
11. SHIRT NAMEPLATE:
a.
A standard nameplate without CDF logo will be worn
centered over the right shirt pocket flap with lower edge resting on the top
edge of pocket flap. The employee's first and last name will be engraved on the
plate. The employee's unit will be engraved below the name.
12. FOOTWEAR:
a.
Black leather laced dress oxford or chukka style
shoe, or
SHROUDING
OF BADGES & APPARATUS
BADGES:
Obtain either 1/2-inch black silk ribbon or 1/2-inch
polyester elastic braid from a fabric store. Remove the material from the
package and measure approximately five (5) inches of black silk ribbon or four
(4) inches of black elastic braid. Sew the ends of the ribbon or the elastic
braid together. Place over badge to ensure fit. Badge should be shrouded from
the topside of the shoulder diagonally down to the sternum on the opposite side
of the heart.
APPARATUS:
The
Fire Apparatus assigned to the deceased's fire station should be the only unit
to bear a black wreath. Wreaths may be obtained from craft stores and covered
with black ribbon. A black bow is to be placed at the top of the wreath. The
wreath should be attached to the front of the apparatus with plastic ties or
wire. Ensure that the wreath will not be removed from the apparatus or blown
off during the procession.
Saluting
the Flag
In saluting the flag, those
present in uniform should render the military salute. Salute the flag when
it is six paces from the viewer and hold it until the flag has passed six paces
beyond. Salute the flag at the first note of the National Anthem and hold the
salute until the last note is played.
When not in uniform, men
should remove the hat with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the
hand being over the heart. Women and men without hats, should place the right
hand over the heart.
All persons present should
face the flag, stand at attention and salute on the following occasions:
- When the flag is passing in a parade or review. The
salute to the flag in the moving column is rendered at the moment the flag
passes.
- During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag
- When the National Anthem is played and the flag is
displayed
- During the Pledge of Allegiance -- I pledge
allegiance to the flag of the
When the National Anthem is
played and the flag is not displayed, all present should stand and face toward
the music. Those in uniform should salute at the first note of the anthem,
retaining this position until the last note. All others should stand at
attention, men removing their hats. When the flag is displayed, all present
should face the flag and salute.
Military
Type Funeral in Uniform
If you are attending a
Military Type Funeral in Uniform,
there are certain courtesies that must be adhered to. You will render a hand
salute if you are in uniform and covered (wearing your hat) during the
following situations:
The casket is being moved
While the casket is being
lowered into the grave
During the firing of the
volley (usually seven members firing simultaneously three times)
"TAPS" is being
sounded (this is usually one bugler)
If you are attending the
funeral in civilian attire, you will come to the position of attention and
remove your headdress if appropriate and place it over your heart. If no
headdress is worn, you will place your right hand over your heart.
Department members who are
"Active Pallbearers" (assigned to carry the casket) will remain
covered and do not salute during the ceremony.
"A Badge of
Mourning" may be
worn during department funerals, but this at the discretion of the Chief. If so
prescribed, the mourning badge will consist of a straight band of black crepe
or plain black cloth approximately 1/2 inch wide affixed to the badge from the
upper left to lower right of the badge.
The Department Funeral may
have slight variations but there are basic components which remain constant.
The ceremony starts with the casket of the service member which is draped with
the American Flag being loaded onto a hearse (Fire Engines like Caissons used
at
Covered
vs. Uncovered
When to be Covered vs.
Uncovered is a common question among uniformed service members. Each
department has their own unique regulations regarding when to be covered, but you
can never go wrong if you are "Outdoors and are wearing your cover (hat).
The real confusion lies in defining what is considered "Outdoors". The
term "Outdoors" includes:
Drill Halls (When used for
drilling purposes or official ceremonies. Normally these Gymnasiums are
considered "Indoors".
Theater Marques
Covered Walks or Overhangs
that extend over the sidewalk
The term
"Indoors" refers to:
Offices
Hallways
Mess-halls
Kitchens
Orderly Rooms
Bathrooms (called
a"HEAD" in the Navy - Latrine in the Army)
Libraries
Dwellings
Inside Airport Terminals
Subways
The Flag Code
Title 4,
§ 9. Conduct during
hoisting, lowering or passing of flag
During
the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade
or in review, all present except those in uniform should face the flag and
stand at attention with the right hand over the heart. Those present in uniform should render
the military salute. When not in
uniform, men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at
the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Aliens should stand at attention. The salute to the flag in a moving
column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.
Position of
Attention
a. Assume the position of attention on the command FALL IN or the command
Squad (platoon), ATTENTION (see note following paragraph 3-3d).
b. To assume this position, bring the heels together sharply on line, with the toes
pointing out equally, forming an angle of 45 degrees. Rest the weight of the body
evenly on the heels and balls of both feet. Keep the legs straight without locking
the knees. Hold the body erect with the hips level, chest lifted and arched, and the
shoulders square.
c. Keep the head erect and face straight to the front with the chin drawn in so that
alignment of the head and neck is vertical.
d. Let the arms hang straight without stiffness. Curl the fingers so that the tips of
the thumbs are alongside and touching the first joint of the forefingers. Keep the
thumbs straight along the seams of the trouser leg with the first joint of the
fingers touching the trousers (Figure 3-l).
e. Remain silent and do not move unless otherwise directed.
Hand Salute
a. The hand salute is a one-count movement. The command is Present, ARMS.
When wearing headgear with a visor (with or without glasses), on the command
of execution ARMS, raise the right hand sharply, fingers and thumb extended
and joined, palm facing down, and place the tip of the right forefinger on the rim
of the visor slightly to the right of the right eye. The outer edge of the hand is
barely canted downward so that neither the back of the hand nor the palm is
clearly visible from the front. The hand and wrist are straight, the elbow inclined
slightly forward, and the upper arm horizontal (1, Figure 3-5).
b. When wearing headgear without a visor (or uncovered) and not wearing glasses,
execute the hand salute in the same manner as previously described in
subparagraph a, except touch the tip of the right forefinger to the forehead near
and slightly to the right of the right eyebrow (3, Figure 3-5).
c. When wearing headgear without a visor (or uncovered) and wearing glasses,
execute the hand salute in the same manner as described in subparagraph a,
except touch the tip of the right forefinger to that point on the glasses where the
temple piece of the frame meets the right edge of the right brow (2, Figure 3-5).
d.Order arms from the hand salute is a one-count movement. The command is
Order, ARMS. On the command of execution ARMS, return the hand sharply to
the side, resuming the position of attention.
