Class C 'Work' Uniform — Complete Purchasing Guide (Nomex IIIA)

What you need to buy for Class C, per the Class C Work Uniform Purchasing Guide (revised May 2023).

What Class C is for

Class C is the Work Uniform — for activities where dress, administrative, or tactical isn't appropriate. Examples in Procedure 1502-3: classroom training, administrative assignments where there is reasonable expectation of field work or emergency response.

For employees assigned to immediate response (engines, crews, overhead, battalion coverage), footwear is governed separately by the 1700 Safety Handbook, Section 1727.

T-Shirt — Dark Navy Blue

• Short or long sleeve
• Crew neck
• Department-approved T-Shirt marking must conform to CAL FIRE Uniform Policy Insignia Guidelines
• Color must closely match the Nomex IIIA shirt
• Long sleeve T-shirt shall not be worn with a short-sleeve Nomex IIIA shirt

Shirt — Nomex IIIA

• Short or long sleeve

Pant — Nomex IIIA Work Response (Midnight Navy)

Belt

• Black leather, 1¾″
• Basket weave
• Square-style buckle with center bar
• Gold-finish (Chief Officer) / Silver-finish (Non-Chief Officer)
• Example: Chambers 7050-001 (1¾″)

The CAL FIRE logo belt buckle (Sun Badge Company) is permitted as the alternate buckle. Belt buckle must be purchased through an authorized CAL FIRE Local 2881 store (All Risk Uniforms).

Necktie (optional with Class C)

The necktie may be worn with the Class C uniform — it's optional, not required.

If worn: - Black, plain - Tropical weave or similar to closely match uniform fabric - 75% polyester / 25% wool recommended - Sam Broome style 455 (3″) - Windsor or 4-in-hand knot — pre-tied or snap-on - Regular or extra length

Socks

• Black, fine weave, plain
• Or any socks with approved footwear, if not visible

Footwear

For Class C, refer to: - CAL FIRE Health and Safety Handbook Section 1727 (1700 Safety Handbook) - Approved PPE Manufacturer List

The 1500 Class C Purchasing Guide does not specify Class C footwear directly — footwear is a 1700-Safety-side decision.

Cold-weather and layering options (per Procedure 1502-3)

Approved optional cold-weather garments may be worn with the work response uniform: - Job Shirt (in lieu of uniform shirt during cold weather) — see the Optional Items article - Fleece jacket — approved as outerwear or layering, including under approved PPE; not approved as a stand-alone PPE garment - See the Optional Items Purchasing Guide for full list (Game Workwear, 5.11 Tactical Series, Elbeco Flex Tec)

Polo shirt option (Approval Required)

The Polo Shirt is permitted with the Class C uniform but requires authorization from the Unit Chief or Program Chief. Approved Polo shirts in the Optional Items Purchasing Guide:

• 5.11 Tactical Polo 71049
• Elbeco Tactical Polo K5134
• Blauer Performance Shirt 8472
• First Tactical Performance SS Polo M 112509-729 / F 122509-729; LS M 111503-729 / F 121503-729

Spec: blue (matching uniform trousers), short or long sleeve, collared without trim accents, high-quality polyester or dry-fit (wrinkle resistant). Embroidery to spec — see the Embroidery article.

Sourcing

All Risk Uniforms stocks the complete Class C "Work" uniform: dark navy T-shirts, Nomex IIIA shirts (Flying Cross and Workrite, both male and female cuts in short and long sleeve), Nomex IIIA work pants (Crew Boss and Workrite), 1¾″ Chambers belts, Sun Badge Company belt buckle, Sam Broome necktie, socks, and the approved polo-shirt brands (5.11, Elbeco, Blauer, First Tactical) for Unit-Chief-authorized polo wear.

Source

Class C Work Uniform Purchasing Guide exhibit, revised May 2023. Display rules: Procedure 1502-3, revised May 2023. Footwear: 1700 Safety Handbook Section 1727. Optional Items Purchasing Guide, revised October 2025.