NORTHSTAR EMS PROCEDURE NUMBER: 5.13 SUBJECT: UNIFORM GUIDELINES EFF. DATE: 2/1/2005 REV EFF: 6/1/2010 REVIEWED: 3/26/2010 MODIFIED: 3/26/10
Purpose: To describe the acceptable uniform and describe the uniform issuance and allowance. Procedures: It is difficult to exactly specify every element of the NorthStar “uniform” in all circumstance and weather conditions. Although this procedure attempts to do this, there will be situations that were not considered. Underlying this policy is the goal that every NorthStar EMT will 1) look professional, 2) be recognizable as a NorthStar EMT, and 3) present a consistent look to the communities we serve. Good quality, cleanliness, good condition and common sense should prevail. Operations Managers have discretion in administering this procedure. Issue of Uniforms at Hire: NorthStar will supply the following uniform items to staff upon initial hire: Full Time: 2 Polo Shirts*, 2 Pants**, 2 Navy T-Shirts, 1 Coat, 1 Nametag, 1 Blue Dress Shirt Part-Time: 2 Polo Shirts*, 1 Pants**, 1 Navy T-Shirt, 1 Coat, 1 Nametag, 1 Blue Dress Shirt PRN: 1 Shirt***, 1 Pants***, 1 Navy T-Shirt, 1 Nametag. Plus either a second shirt or a windshirt *Polo Shirts may be long sleeve or short sleeve at employee’s option but cannot be ‘exchanged’ when seasons change. **Pants of a similar design may be purchased separately by the employee in lieu of the issued pants and the employee will be reimbursed up to the cost equal to the issued pants. ***PRN may be issued an additional shirt at Operations Manager’s discretion when hours worked warrant Acceptable Uniform: The basic, minimum uniform for NorthStar EMTs will consist of the following: Uniform Shirt: The uniform shirt will be a “511” Cotton/Poly Polo Shirt (navy blue) with the NorthStar logo embroidered on the left chest. The uniform shirt will be tucked into the pants at all times. No shoulder patches or collar brass will be placed on the uniform shirt. Employees have the option of ordering a long or short sleeved shirt. Shirts must be buttoned up to and including the second button from the top. Pants: All EMS staff will wear appropriate navy blue pants while they are on duty. “Gun Pockets” and EMS/BDU pants are acceptable. Canvas pants, jeans or denim are not acceptable. Shorts are not allowed unless the employee is on Bike Team duty. Nametag: Only NorthStar issued “picture” nametags will be allowed. Nametags must be displayed on the outermost layer or most visible layer of clothing over the right chest or hanging from the right collar. Silver or plastic nametags are no longer acceptable.
The uniform shirt and pants described above (and the nametag) is the minimum required uniform for staff and must be worn at all times in public. However, the following accessories are acceptable: Wind Shirt: A NorthStar approved navy windshirt with the NorthStar logo on the left chest. The windshirt may only be worn over a uniform shirt. The windshirt must be clean and in good condition. This is not automatically issued but may be purchased by the employee through the uniform allowance. Long Sleeve Fleece Jacket: A NorthStar approved, long sleeved, medium weight, front zippered, navy fleece jacket with the NorthStar logo embroidered on the left chest. The jacket may only be worn over a uniform shirt. This can also be used as a coat liner. This is not automatically issued but may be purchased by the employee through the uniform allowance. Vest: A NorthStar approved, sleeveless, medium weight, front zippered, navy fleece vest with the NorthStar logo embroidered on the left chest. The vest may only be worn over a uniform shirt and can also be used as a coat liner. This is not automatically issued but may be purchased by the employee through the uniform allowance. Undershirts/T-Shirts: If a t-shirt is worn under the uniform shirt, it must be navy blue. No print from the undershirt shall be visible through the uniform shirt. The sleeves from any t-shirt many not show (i.e., may not be longer than the sleeves on the uniform shirts.) T-shirts are not to be worn alone under the windshirt or fleece jacket. NorthStar t-shirts will be allowed at the station while performing base duties, decontamination, vehicle maintenance or other activities that may soil or damage a uniform shirt. If the employee needs to leave the base, the uniform shirt will be worn and tucked into the pants. Turtlenecks: Navy blue or white turtlenecks (or mock turtlenecks) are allowed under the uniform shirts however the turtleneck sleeves may not extend past the uniform shirt (e.g.: employees cannot wear a longsleeved turtleneck under a short sleeve shirt). NorthStar logo, “EMS” or Star of Life are allowable embroidery on the turtleneck collar at the employee’s cost. Other Uniform Components Name/License Level Embroidery: Employees may have their polo shirt, windshirt, fleece jacket and/or vest embroidered with their name and license level on the right chest. Embroidery must be done by an approved NorthStar store and conform to approved size and font style. Nametags must still be worn. Belt: The belt will be black with a non-ostentatious buckle. Star of Life buckles are acceptable. Stockings/Socks: If shoes, sneakers or low ankle boots are worn, navy, black or dark single color socks will be worn. Footwear: Black closed toe and heel boots or shoes are preferred footwear. Black sneakers and dark colored hiking boots may be acceptable at Operations Manager’s discretion. Footwear should be maintained and shined when needed. Snow boots will be allowed during inclement weather. Employees are responsible for supplying their own footwear (annual allowance may be used for footwear). Headwear: Navy blue or dark colored ball cap in good condition with the brim forward and with logo appropriate to the EMS profession is acceptable. Hats with the NorthStar logo are strongly preferred. A black or navy winter hat may be worn in cold weather. The winter hat must be plain or embroidered with the NorthStar logo, star of life, or “EMS”. A black or navy headband or earwarmers are acceptable. Sweaters, white t-shirts, black sweatshirts, black fleece jackets, pull over fleece or royal blue vests are no longer part of the NorthStar uniform and may not be worn on duty.
Outerwear Coats: Full time and part time employees will be issued a winter coat with “NorthStar” on the back. A limited supply of additional coats will be at the bases for use by PRNs. If there are not sufficient coats with NorthStar on the back, coats with FMH-EMS may be used. Coats do not come with lining. Employees may consider the fleece jacket as a liner for their coat. Jackets: Non-NorthStar logo’ed and approved jackets are discouraged. NorthStar coats, windshirts and fleece jackets are the only outerwear uniform accessories. In certain climate conditions or rescue operations, extra layers of coats/jackets may be appropriate. Any non-NorthStar issued jackets will be at the discretion of the Operations Manager. Outerpants: Outerpants are acceptable during very cold or snowy weather or during other outdoor activities. Outerpants must be navy blue. Outerpants may have EMS insignia but not fire service names or insignias. Gloves: Black or navy blue winter gloves may be worn in cold weather. Personal protective gloves (extrication gloves, leather gloves, etc.) may be worn when necessary. Backcountry Rescue: The employee’s duty uniform does not need to be worn in a backcountry rescue situation if the rescue activity would compromise the condition of the uniform or the safety of the rescuer. The employee should always dress in weather appropriate clothing for the rescue. Other Information Special Event Uniform Shirt: Employees hired prior to June 1, 2010 are to retain one Flying Cross Blue Dress Shirt to be used only for special occasions. NorthStar will issue a single dress shirt to those hired after June 1, 2010. Long sleeve is preferred, although short sleeve is acceptable. Bike Team: Refer to the Bike Team Procedure (#4.19) for appropriate Bike Team uniforms while serving duty on the bikes. Clothing Allowance: A calendar year clothing allowance of up to $135.00 will be provided for employees each January 1 if they have worked at least 80 hours in the prior year. ♦ The allowance must be used in the calendar year and cannot be carried over into the next year. ♦ The date of the order will determine the year of the allowance. ♦ New employees must wait at least 6 months before accessing the allowance. ♦ Employees may use the allowance to be reimbursed for any uniform items within these guidelines. ♦ Employees are, however, expected to replace any worn out, damaged, or otherwise unsatisfactory uniform components out of the allowance. ♦ Operations Managers have discretion on issuing replacement gear out of inventory. ♦ After the allowance is depleted, the employee will be responsible for purchasing replacement items at their own expense. ♦ Embroidered uniform items must be ordered through their Operations Manager. Non-embroidered items may be secured from any source (subject to Operations Manager approval) and the employee should submit a receipt (and packing slip if Internet ordered) to their Operations Manager for appropriate reimbursement against the allowance. ♦ Protective eyewear (ANSI approved shatter resistant), although not a part of the uniform, may be purchased out of the uniform allowance.
Ordering Uniforms: Many uniform components may be ordered directly by the employee. Items that must be ordered through NorthStar should be ordered through the Company Store (form attached). Return of Clothing: All NorthStar issued uniform apparel, any coats, and any uniform pants must be returned to NorthStar upon resignation or termination of an employee. The employee’s last paycheck may be held until all uniform items are accounted for. If there is no final check, the employee may be billed for any nonreturned apparel. Former employees may retain those pieces of the uniform that they purchase but they are forbidden to wear apparel with the NorthStar name in any manner that would represent that they were acting on behalf of NorthStar. Disciplinary Action: Generally a person found out of uniform will either borrow the appropriate uniform component from the base supply or be sent home to get the appropriate apparel without pay for the period to home and return. Repeat offenders are subject to normal disciplinary actions up to an including termination.
NorthStar Equipment Issue Form Employee Name:______________________________Date:______________________
Item
Quantity
Uniform Polo Shirt Uniform Pants Coat Fleece Jacket Fleece Vest Windshirt T-Shirt # Hat Blue Flying Cross Dress Shirt Radio Make:
Size (and Sleeve Length)
Color:
Ser #:
I have received the above uniform items. I understand that I am responsible for the upkeep and, if necessary, replacement of issued items as dictated by the NorthStar uniform guidelines (procedure #5.13). Upon ending employment with NorthStar EMS, all issued apparel must be returned to my supervisor or their designee . If items are not returned, I understand that I may be billed and/or my final paycheck will be held until all uniform items are accounted for. Employee:
Date:__________________
Supervisor:
Date:__________________
Items Returned/Replaced and Date:___________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
Date Items Received:____________________Supervisor:________________________
(Uniform Guidelines Procedure #5.13)
