CAL FIRE Uniform Handbook · 1500 Reference
Insignia Display

Rank Insignia Badges — Class A Cap and Campaign Hat

Every Blackinton SKU for cap badges, by rank.

The exact rank-to-SKU table for the badges that go on the front of your Class A "Dress" cap and the LE Campaign hat, per the Uniform Insignia Display exhibit (revised July 2023).

What this is

The "Rank Insignia Badge" is the metal device worn on the front of the Class A Dress cap (Hankin Brothers semi-pershing) — and, for Law Enforcement only, on the front of the Stratton Campaign hat.

It is required with the Class A uniform and optional with B/C/D/E. Only Law Enforcement Officers may wear their rank insignia badge on the front of the Stratton hat.

Manufacturer

Blackinton Style. Pair to your rank using the table below.

Rank-to-SKU table

Scramble — A2327

  • Firefighter / Firefighter II

1 Bugle — A2912

  • Fire Apparatus Engineer
  • Forestry Assistant I
  • Deputy State Fire Marshal, Range A
  • Pipeline Safety Engineer, Range A

2 Bugles — A175

  • Fire Captain
  • Deputy State Fire Marshal, Range B
  • Forestry Fire Pilot
  • Heavy Fire Equipment Operator
  • Pipeline Safety Engineer, Range B
  • Senior Civil Engineer
  • Forestry Assistant II

2 Bugles — Crossed — A2911

  • Battalion Chief
  • Arson and Bomb Investigator
  • Forester I
  • Forestry Equipment Manager I
  • Pipeline Safety Engineer, Range C
  • Supervising Civil Engineer

3 Bugles — A2910

  • Division Chief (Assistant Chief)
  • Aviation Officer II
  • Deputy State Fire Marshal III (Specialist)
  • Fire Service Training Specialist III
  • Forester II
  • Forestry Equipment Manager II
  • Telecommunications Systems Manager
  • Principal Transportation Engineer

4 Bugles — A1962

  • Deputy Chief (Assistant Chief w/Differential)
  • Aviation Officer III
  • Deputy State Fire Marshal III (Supervisory)
  • Forester III
  • Senior Arson and Bomb Investigator
  • Supervising Pipeline Safety Engineer

5 Bugles — A2811

  • Unit Chief, Staff Chief, and Above

Class A cap pairing — quick reference

The Class A cap and the Rank Insignia Badge are paired together. From the Class A Purchasing Guide (revised August 2023):

Rank tier Cap spec Cap badge
Commanding Officer (Staff Chief, Unit Chief, OSFM Division Chief, and above) Hankin Brothers semi-pershing — white cover, gold-bullion oak cluster leaf, gold lace strap, gold CA "Eureka" buttons A2811 (5 Bugles)
Chief Officer (Battalion Chief, Asst Chief, Deputy Chief, DSFM III Specialist, Arson & Bomb Investigator) Hankin Brothers semi-pershing — white cover, gold expansion strap, gold CA "Eureka" buttons A2911 / A2910 / A1962 by rank
Non-Chief Officer (Fire Captain, DSFM Range B and below) Hankin Brothers semi-pershing — black cover, nickel expansion strap, nickel CA "Eureka" buttons A175 / A2912 / A2327 by rank

Stratton Campaign hat pairing (LE only)

For Class E peace officers wearing the optional Stratton Campaign hat (Felt F-40 Black for winter, Straw S40DB Black for summer): the Rank Insignia Badge may be worn on the front of the hat. Only LE may wear their rank insignia badge on the Stratton hat (per Optional Items Purchasing Guide).

A POST Certified Recruit Training Officer (RTO) may also wear a cord-and-acorn adornment of the correct rank color on the Campaign Cover while engaged in RTO duties during a Regular Basic Course.

Sourcing

All Risk Uniforms stocks the full Blackinton rank insignia badge line for the Class A cap and (LE-only) the Stratton Campaign hat — every SKU from A2327 (Scramble) through A2811 (5 Bugles).

Source

Uniform Insignia Display exhibit (revised July 2023) — Rank Insignia Badge table. Class A cap details: Class A Purchasing Guide (revised August 2023). LE Campaign hat: Optional Uniform Items Purchasing Guide (revised October 2025).