How to wear Class C per Procedure 1502-3 (revised May 2023).
When to wear Class C
Class C is for activities where the dress, administrative, or tactical uniform is not appropriate. Examples: classroom training settings, or administrative assignments with reasonable expectation for field work or emergency response.
This is the workhorse uniform for many non-response and pre-response activities. The Nomex IIIA shirt is the cornerstone.
The standing rule
All uniformed employees be dressed in the daily authorized uniform while on duty. Exceptions: PT and soft time (standby). Same as every other class.
Authorization gates
Specific authorities for Class C wear decisions:
- Unit Chief or Program Chief — authorizes the wearing of the Polo Shirt.
- Supervisors, Managers, and Company Officers — discretion to direct when the uniform T-shirt may be worn in lieu of the uniform shirt; discretion to excuse the daily authorized uniform during PT or soft time.
Necktie
The necktie may be worn with the Class C uniform. Optional.
Uniform T-Shirt vs. Dark Navy-Blue T-Shirt — important distinction
The procedure separates these clearly:
- Uniform T-Shirt may be worn without the uniform shirt while performing arduous work activities (to prevent soiling/damage to the work uniform shirt).
- T-Shirts may also be worn during normal work hours performing routine station activities, provided minimal chance of public interaction.
- The Dark Navy-Blue T-Shirt shall not be worn in lieu of the Uniform T-Shirt while performing official business or interacting with the public.
- Employees are responsible for maintaining T-Shirts in presentable condition.
The shorthand: Uniform T-Shirt is the public-facing layer; Dark Navy-Blue T-Shirt is the underlayer that never goes solo when the public is around.
Cold weather / layering
- Approved optional cold-weather garments are approved with the work response uniform.
- A Job Shirt may be worn in lieu of a uniform shirt during cold-weather work activities.
- The fleece jacket is approved as outerwear or layering — including under approved PPE — but is not approved as a stand-alone PPE garment.
Pin rule — only one at a time
For Class C: only one Uniform insignia pin shall be worn at a time. Choose one — flag pin, EMS pin, union pin, etc. — and wear it 1″ above the nameplate. Pins listed as "worn alone" (Local Cooperative, Aviator Wings, FTO, Hazmat, IMT, Unit/Program) preclude the flag pin entirely while they're on.
Footwear
For employees in emergency response assignments, footwear is governed by CAL FIRE Health and Safety Handbook Section 1727 — not the 1500 Uniform Handbook. Refer to the Approved PPE Manufacturer List for HFEO helmet, structural PPE, wildland PPE, etc.
Safety Clothing
"Used by the department and worn as necessary, dictated by the type of emergency response, by all response employees." (Direct quote from Procedure 1502-3.)
Insignia — what's required vs optional on Class C
| Item | Class C status |
|---|---|
| Uniform patches (both sleeves) | Required |
| Service Stars | — (Required only on Class A; Optional on B/E) |
| Collar Brass | Required |
| Department-issued badge | Required (centered 2″ above left pocket) |
| Department-issued nameplate | Required |
| Rank Insignia Badge | Optional |
| IMT/ECC Nameplate (red aluminum, 3″ × 1½″) | Required when serving on an Incident Management Team or Emergency Command Center activated on official incident — worn only with Class C or D |
| Flag Pin · EMS · Union · Honor Guard · Local Cooperative · Aviator Wings · FTO · Hazmat · IMT · Unit/Program | Optional (one pin at a time) |
Patch placement
- Both sleeves
- Centered ½″ below the shoulder seam on uniform shirts
- Centered 1″ below the shoulder seam on coats/jackets
Source
Procedure 1502-3 — Class C "Work" Uniform and Insignia Display Procedures, revised May 2023. Footwear: 1700 Safety Handbook Section 1727. Insignia: Uniform Insignia Display Exhibit (revised July 2023). Optional Items Purchasing Guide (revised October 2025).
