A.C.T. STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE
POLICY DOCUMENT
Number 6
POLICY NAME:
DATE ISSUED:
APPROVED BY:
CONTACT:
RELATED
POLICIES &
DOCUMENTS:
1
•
•
•
•
1.0
August 2010
Appointment to Field Officer and Administrative Roles Policy
Flood Rescue Boat Use Policy
Volunteer Recruitment and Induction Training Policy
Honours and Awards Policy
Table of Contents
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2
Supply and Use of Protective Clothing
VERSION:
and Service Uniform
20 August 2009
REVIEW:
Chief Officer – ACT State Emergency Service
Manager Capability and Business Improvement
T. 02 6205 2553
Table of Contents .............................................................................................................................. 1
Purpose and Principles...................................................................................................................... 1
Definitions .......................................................................................................................................... 2
General Principles ............................................................................................................................. 2
Uniform .............................................................................................................................................. 3
Cleaning and Maintenance of Uniforms............................................................................................. 5
Replacement of Uniforms…………..…………………………..…………….…...…………………………5
Leadership Insignia............................................................................................................................ 6
Embellishments ................................................................................................................................. 7
Medals ............................................................................................................................................... 8
Purpose and Principles
2.1
This policy is provided to establish clear instructions and requirements for members and staff on
the issue and wearing of operational and dress uniforms in the ACT State Emergency Service
(ACTSES).
2.2
The ACTSES is a uniformed emergency service. On occasions members of the ACTSES will
attend operations, training, forums, working groups, and committees where members from other
emergency service organisations are present. As such there may be a need to identify
members of the Service and to differentiate between Service Officers and non-ranked
members.
2.3
All members and staff are responsible and accountable for the maintenance to the highest
standards of Service image, including wearing of and caring for uniforms.
2.4
The specific objectives of this policy are to define the requirements for:
2.4.1 Correct wearing of the uniform;
2.4.2 Issue and replacement of the uniform;
2.4.3 Repair and alteration of the uniform;
2.4.4 Leadership insignia; and
2.4.5 Service embellishments.
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Definitions
3.1
Chief Officer (CO) means the ACTSES Chief Officer.
3.2
Commander refers to the Unit member that occupies the position of Commander within a Unit.
3.3
Deputy Chief Officer (DCO) means the ACTSES Deputy Chief Officer.
3.4
Delegate refers to someone appointed by the Commander to act on their behalf in relation to a
matter contained within this policy.
3.5
Dress uniform refers to the wearing of blue shirt and trousers for administrative or official use.
3.6
ESA means the Emergency Services Agency.
3.7
FRB refers to ACTSES Flood Rescue Boat.
3.8
Logistics and Resource Coordinator (L&RC) refers to the ACTSES Logistics and Resource
Coordinator.
3.9
May refers to something that is discretionary.
3.10 Member refers to a volunteer member of the ACTSES.
3.11 Must or shall refers to something that is mandatory.
3.12 Operational uniform refers to the wearing of Service supplied clothing and equipment in
accordance with sub-section 5.2.
3.13 PPC refers to personal protective clothing, including overalls, boots, gloves, jackets and over
pants.
3.14 PPE refers to personal protective equipment, including protective eyewear, hardhats and ear
protection.
3.15 Should refers to something that is strongly recommended but not mandatory.
3.16 Service approved refers to approval given by the Chief Officer ACTSES.
3.17 Service Officer refers to members who have been appointed in accordance with the
Appointment to Field Officer and Administrative Roles Policy, and ACTSES staff.
3.18 Staff refers to the full time employees of the ACTSES.
3.19 Uniform refers to Operational and Dress uniform.
3.20 Uniform wearer refers to the staff or member that receives and wears an Operational or Dress
uniform.
3.21 Unit refers to a local volunteer Unit of the ACTSES.
4
General Principles
4.1
This policy replaces all previous policies, standard operating procedures and instructions issued
by the ACTSES, ACT Emergency Service and ACT Bushfire and Emergency Services relating
to the selection, provision and maintenance of uniforms issued to Unit members and staff.
4.2
This policy will be reviewed 12 months after its initial date of release, and then every three years
after that or as the need arises. Any variation or amendment to this policy requires Chief Officer
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ACTSES (CO) endorsement.
4.3
All Operational and Dress Uniform issued to members and staff by the ACTSES remains the
property of the ACT Government. Items of clothing provided by the ACTSES must not be sold
or otherwise disposed of. All items of uniform no longer required are to be returned to the
ACTSES Logistics and Resource Coordinator.
4.4
Privately purchased approved Dress Uniforms remain the property of the member, but must be
maintained and worn in accordance with this policy.
4.5
Members accept full responsibility for:
4.5.1 Wearing a uniform that complies with this policy when undertaking any operational,
training, administrative or official duties with the ACTSES or their Unit;
4.5.2 Maintaining their uniform in a clean and presentable manner that upholds the
professional appearance of the ACTSES;
4.5.3 Wearing their uniform in accordance with all applicable ACTSES, ESA and ACT Public
1
Service policies and codes of practice;
4.5.4 Discouraging smoking in uniform when in view of the public;
4.5.5 Not consuming alcohol whilst in uniform unless expressly approved by the ACTSES
DCO;
4.5.6 Not wearing any items of Uniform that could identify the Service when visiting any
licensed premises; unless expressly approved by the ACTSES DCO.
5
Uniform
5.1 General
5.1.1 Damaged or non compliant uniform must not be worn at any time. Members wearing
damaged or non compliant uniform may not be permitted to be included with any
ACTSES activity.
5.1.2 Long sleeves are to be fully extended to the wrist and are to be fastened. The only
exception will be on Personal Protective Clothing (PPC) if the team leader, after
conducting a risk assessment, allows the sleeves to be rolled up.
5.1.3 In all cases when a helmet is worn it is to be correctly fitted as per the manufacturer’s
instructions and the chinstrap is to be fastened at all times.
5.1.4 Only Service approved embellishments (refer section 9) are permitted to be worn on
ACTSES uniform.
5.1.5 Civilian clothing worn with the uniform must not display pictures, words or any
combination of these that members of the ACTSES or the community could find
offensive.
5.1.6 All items of uniform should be clearly marked with the members name and Unit.
5.2
Operational Uniform
5.2.1 The operational uniform of the ACTSES comprises two components, these being
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and Personal Protective Clothing (PPC). There
are to be no markings or modifications on the PPC or PPE listed below without
prior approval of the DCO, except as described in item 5.1.6 above.
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ACT Public Service, Chief Minister’s Department – Code of Ethics
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5.2.2 All new members will be issued with EITHER 1 piece or 2 piece overalls when they
complete their initial training. They are then eligible for an extra pair of overalls after 1
year of continuous service. Normal replacements will apply during this time.
5.2.3 Standard PPE consists of:
• Helmet - Orange
• Safety glasses
• Ear protection (plugs)
5.2.4 Standard PPC consists of:
• 1 pair Overalls - one or two piece
• 1 pair Boots
• 1 x Hi-visibility Jacket - wet weather
• 1 x Hi-visibility Vest
• 1 x Over Pants - wet weather
• 2 pairs Gloves - Leather (Riggers or other Service approved style)
• 1 pair socks
• 1 x blue floppy hat
• 1x dark blue t-shirt
5.3
Dress Uniform
5.3.1 A Dress Uniform is provided to readily identify senior members and staff of the ACTSES.
5.3.2 The Dress Uniform is not an alternate Operational Uniform, and when in the field the
appropriate PPE/PPC as described in paragraph 5.2 must be worn.
5.3.3 The supply of the Dress Uniform at ACTSES expense will only occur for members
identified by the Deputy Chief Officer. Currently these people are:
•
ACTSES staff,
•
Commanders and Deputy Commanders, and
•
Pialligo SES Unit members.
5.3.4 Other members who purchase a Dress Uniform at their own expense must wear their
Dress Uniform in accordance with this policy. Further guidance can be obtained from the
Logistics and Resource Coordinator.
5.3.5 The Dress Uniform entitlements are shown in the table below. If members want additional
uniform to what is supplied by the ACTSES, they may self purchase these additional
items.
5.3.6 The components of the ACTSES Dress Uniform are:
Personnel
Boots
Trousers
Shirt/Blouse
Jumper
Tie
Belt
Staff
1
2
1
1
1
Commanders
D/Commanders
Pialligo Unit
members
1
1
-
-
1
1
1
1 x long sleeve
2 x short sleeve
1 x short or long
sleeve
1 x short or long
sleeve
-
-
1
5.3.7 The DCO may also approve the use of a ‘Glanda’ style jacket for staff.
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Cleaning and Maintenance of Uniforms
6.1
It is the individual members’ responsibility to ensure that their Uniform is maintained in a clean
and serviceable condition to present the highest professional image as possible. For PPE/PPC
this is of the utmost importance to maintain the highest level of personal protection available
from the uniform.
6.2
It is the individual members’ responsibility to dry clean/ launder their uniform. Any uniforms
contaminated during operations by blood, other bodily fluids or infectious waste will be cleaned
at Service expense.
6.3
Boots are to be maintained to a high standard by keeping them clean and polished. This will
prolong the life of the footwear and maintain the water resistant integrity.
6.4
Any initial alterations to the uniform to fit the member, and any subsequent repair of the uniform
caused by operational wear and tear, will be at the expense of the ACTSES. Members must
contact the Logistics and Resource Coordinator prior to any alterations or repair to ensure cost
recovery.
6.5
Defacing any article of the uniform by altering the style or permitting it to be altered in a way that
looks different to the initial design, or degrades its safety designs, is not permitted.
6.6
Any special items of PPE/PPC such as for chainsaw operators, FRB operators etc. will be
provided by the Service.
6.7
Items of uniform will be replaced when they become unserviceable or when the uniform no
longer presents a positive image due to its condition. When a uniform is to be replaced, the
uniform must be returned to the Logistics and Resource Coordinator who will remove all
ACTSES insignia and destroy the garment according to approved ESA policy. ACTSES
members are not to willfully destroy or damage any item of PPE/PPC and may be held
accountable if willful damage occurs.
Replacement of Uniforms
7.1
The procedures for the replacement of uniform items are as follows:
7.1.1 Where a uniform is issued at the expense of the ACTSES, the member is to complete the
Uniform Request Form with their personal details, size of item (if known or appropriate),
quantity requested and sign the request before passing it on to their Unit Equipment
Officer. If sizing is required, the Unit member will need to go to the ESA Resource Centre
for a fitting.
The request should then be faxed or passed to the L&RC for approval. Any form not
signed cannot be processed.
Once approved the L&RC will fax the form to the ESA Resource Centre. When notified
that their uniform is available the member can collect the item(s) during business hours
from either the Resource Centre or from ESA Headquarters.
7.1.1.1
The ESA Resource Centre normal business hours are 0800 hrs to 1630 hrs
weekdays. They are also open until approx 1930 hrs on the third Thursday of
every month for those members unable to visit during normal business hours.
7.1.1.2
Where articles of uniform are purchased at the member’s expense, members
are to contact the L&RC for advice on uniform types, standards and
specifications.
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7.1.1.3
Any item to be replaced as a result of being misplaced or lost will require a
written report to be submitted through the L&RC prior to the article being
replaced. The report is to detail the circumstances surrounding the loss of the
uniform/PPE.
7.1.1.4
If, in the opinion of the L&RC, the loss or damage of an ACTSES garment is
due to misuse or negligence, the decision to replace the garment at ACTSES
expense will be passed to the DCO for determination.
Leadership Insignia
8.1
The purpose of the ACTSES leadership insignia is to identify those members of the Service who
have leadership responsibilities.
8.2
The ACTSES leadership insignia are worn on the shoulders of the uniform that are supplied
with epaulettes.
8.3
Only Service approved leadership insignia are to be worn on ACTSES uniforms.
8.4
The CO has deemed that the following leadership insignia will be worn in descending order;
8.4.1 Chief Officer ACTSES
Leadership Insignia consisting of a crown and the ACT Coat of Arms encompassed by a
white laurel wreath.
8.4.2 Deputy Chief Officer ACTSES
Leadership Insignia consisting of a crown and a Royal Bluebell (ACT floral emblem)
encompassed by gold laurel wreath.
8.4.3 Manager Capability and Business Improvement ACTSES
Leadership Insignia consisting of a Royal Bluebell (ACT floral emblem) encompassed by
gold laurel wreath.
8.4.4 Staff
8.4.4.1
Operations and Capability Coordinator
Leadership Insignia consisting of a gold crown over a gold star.
8.4.4.2
Logistics and Resource Coordinator
Leadership Insignia consisting of a gold crown.
8.4.4.3
Learning and Development Coordinator
Leadership Insignia consisting of a gold crown.
8.4.4.4
Other SES Staff
Rank slide with ‘SES’ in gold lettering.
8.4.5 Commander
Leadership Insignia consisting of 3 gold stars.
8.4.6 Deputy Commander
Leadership Insignia consisting of 2 gold stars.
8.4.7 Team Leader
Leadership Insignia consisting of 2 gold chevrons.
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8.4.8 Deputy Team Leader
Leadership Insignia consisting of 1 gold chevron.
nd
8.4.9 2 Deputy Team Leader
Leadership Insignia consisting of 1 thin gold stripe.
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8.5
A member of the ACTSES can only wear the leadership insignia that is Service approved.
8.6
No member may swap or give away any Service Leadership insignia without Service approval.
Embellishments
9.1
The embellishments described in this policy are worn on the various items of ACTSES uniform
as indicated. All members are to ensure that only those embellishments authorised for wearing
on a specific uniform are worn on that uniform. A haphazard approach by individuals, and the
over use of embellishments can degrade the ACTSES uniform and thus the Service and its
members.
9.2
No unauthorised uniform embellishments are to be worn in any ACTSES uniform.
9.3
The principal reason for embellishments on ACTSES uniforms is that it readily identifies to
serving members that these members have achieved a specific skill or have been awarded
medals and decorations.
9.4
The following are Service approved embellishments.
9.4.1 Leadership Insignia.
Appropriate leadership insignia are to be worn on all ACTSES uniforms that have
epaulettes fitted. The dark blue leadership slide with embroidered gold leadership
insignia are to be worn at all times when in uniform.
9.4.2 ACTSES Roundel Badge
The ACTSES roundel is the authorised emblem of the ACTSES. The roundel is worn on
all ACTSES approved uniforms with the exception of the safety vests and wet weather
garments.
9.4.2.1
The roundel is embroidered cloth that is coloured with blue, gold and white,
which includes the ACT Coat-of-Arms. On PPE/PPC it is worn on the left chest
above the fitted pocket.
9.4.2.2
On Dress uniform it is worn on both sleeves of shirts in the middle of the
sleeve 3 cm below the shoulder seam.
9.4.2.3
On blue issue jumpers it is worn on the left chest.
9.4.2.4
On the Glanda jackets it is on both sleeves in the middle of the sleeve
approximately 5cm below shoulder seam.
9.4.3 SES Badge (national).
The rectangular SES badge is worn on the PPE uniform. It is not worn on the Dress
Uniform. The SES badge is a woven cloth design and is worn on PPE/PPC on each
shoulder 3 cm below the seam in the middle of the sleeve.
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9.4.4 Name Badge
9.4.4.1
Service approved ridged name badges will be worn. Ridged name badges are
only worn on Dress Uniform.
9.4.4.1.1 The ridged name badge is worn on the right pocket flap between the
button and the seam at the top of the flap. The ridged name badge is
located centrally on the flap. The name badge is worn in the same
place on outerwear such as jumpers and jackets.
9.4.4.1.2 A ridged name badge is issued at Service expense to Team Leaders,
Deputy Commanders, Commanders and staff.
9.4.4.2
An embroidered cloth name badge may be worn on the PPE/PPC uniform
directly above the right hand side chest pocket, located centrally to the pocket.
9.4.4.2.1 The name tag is to have a white background with navy blue border
and writing.
9.4.4.2.2 The member’s full name (first and last) or the member’s family name
and initial is to be displayed. No nicknames or pet names are
permitted.
9.4.4.2.3 No name badge is to be worn on the wet/cold climate jacket.
9.4.4.3
Unit patches
9.4.4.3.1 Service approved Unit patches are permitted to be worn on PPC
above the right hand pocket, opposite the ACTSES roundel.
9.4.4.3.2 Such patches are to comply with the provisions outlined in section
5.1.5.
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Medals
10.1 General
The members of the ACTSES have access to a range of medals and insignia to
recognise their contribution to the Service, to the ACT and Australian community.
10.1.1.1 The medals that ACTSES members can be awarded can come from two
different awards systems:
• The national awards system as administered by the federal government,
and
• The non-national awards system as administered by local government
authorities, or organisations like St John Ambulance, Royal Life Saving
Society.
10.1.1.2 The placement of the medals is the same for both types of awards. The only
difference is where the medals are worn. National medals are to be worn on
the left chest and non-national awards are worn on the right chest.
10.1.1.3 Medals may be worn on Dress uniform only, at official functions. The Deputy
Chief Officer will advise on each occasion where it is appropriate to wear
medals eg. ANZAC day or when receiving subsequent medals.
10.1.1.4 Medals are not worn on operational uniform (i.e. overalls) at any time.
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10.2
Medal Ribbons
10.2.1.1 When worn as a ribbon (without the medal suspended) the award is to be
pinned to the garment by means of a detachable brooch. The bottom edge of
the ribbon is to be in contact with the top of the breast pocket and positioned
centrally.
10.2.1.2 Medal Ribbons are to be worn in rows. For males a row consists of 4 medals,
for females a row consists of 3 medals. There are several businesses in
Canberra that can mount medals and medal ribbons, this work is done at the
members expense. Their details can be obtained by contacting the L&RC.
Where there are fewer than four medals then the ribbon bar is placed centrally
over the pocket.
10.2.1.3 Medal ribbons are not worn on operational uniform (i.e. overalls) at any time.
10.2.1.4 Name badges are to be worn below medals or medal ribbons.
POLICY STATEMENT ENDS
Policy: Supply and Use of Protective Clothing and Service Uniform
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