If you've ever heard someone say "1500 policy compliant," they're using shorthand. The real document is the CAL FIRE Uniform Handbook, identified internally as Overview 1500. It is not a single policy — it's a framework of policies, procedures, and exhibits, last revised October 2025 by the Uniform Advisory Committee (UAC).
Here's what the Handbook actually contains, with the document numbers you'll see referenced on order forms, in academy paperwork, and during inspections.
The Overview
- Overview 1500 — the introduction document. It lists every policy, procedure, exhibit, and form that makes up the Handbook. This is the table of contents for the rest.
The Policies (1501–1505)
- Policy 1501 — Purchasing Policy for Classifications Authorized to Wear a Uniform. Defines who can wear what, who authorizes it, and the legal basis (DPA Rules + applicable MOU).
- Policy 1502 — Uniform Display Policy (Wearing of Uniform and Insignia Items). The umbrella policy under which each Class (A through M) sits.
- Policy 1503 — Uniformed Employee Grooming Standards. Hair, sideburns, mustaches, earrings, rings.
- Policy 1504 — Badges, Identification and Nameplate. Status: TBA. Not yet published.
- Policy 1505 — Nameplates. The metal-only nameplate spec.
The Procedures (the "how to wear" details)
- 1501-1 — Uniform Purchasing Procedures (Director / Region Chief / Asst State Fire Marshal roles).
- 1502-1 — Class A "Dress" Uniform display procedures.
- 1502-2 — Class B "Administrative" Uniform display procedures.
- 1502-3 — Class C "Work" Uniform display procedures.
- 1502-4 — Class D "Tactical" Uniform display procedures.
- 1502-5 — Class E "Law Enforcement" Uniform display procedures (peace officers under Penal Code 830.2 only).
- 1502-6 — Incident Base Camp Uniform display procedures.
- 1502-7 — Uniform Expectations.
- 1502-8 — Class M "Maternity" Administrative Uniform display procedures.
- 1505-1 — Nameplate procurement procedure.
The Exhibits (where the actual specs live)
The Purchasing Guides are exhibits. They list each garment, the spec (fabric, color, weave), and the approved manufacturers/SKUs: - Class A "Dress" Purchasing Guide - Class B "Administrative" Purchasing Guide - Class C "Work" Purchasing Guide - Class D "Tactical" Purchasing Guide - Class E "Law Enforcement" Purchasing Guide - Class M "Maternity" Purchasing Guide - "Optional" Uniform Items Purchasing Guide
Other exhibits cover specific items: - Classifications Authorized to Wear a Uniform - Collar Brass · Wearing Collar Brass Illustration - Grooming Illustrations · Earrings Exception - Logos - Service Stars Configuration - Uniform Insignia Display - Uniform Specifications
The Forms
- CAL FIRE-671
- CAL FIRE-347
- CAL FIRE-79
Why This Matters
If you're looking at a uniform vendor's website that says "1500 policy compliant," what they actually mean (or should mean) is "meets the requirements set out in the relevant Procedure 1502-X and its Purchasing Guide exhibit." For Class A, that's Procedure 1502-1 plus the Class A Dress Uniform Purchasing Guide. For Class C, it's 1502-3 plus the Class C Work Uniform Purchasing Guide. And so on.
Sourcing
All Risk Uniforms stocks every Class A, B, C, D, E, and M uniform item referenced in the 1500 Handbook — sourced from the approved manufacturers named in each Class Purchasing Guide.
Source
Handbook framework: CAL FIRE Uniform Handbook 1500 (Overview 1500), revised October 2025 by the Uniform Advisory Committee.
