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This is a complicated issue to be sure. I shaved off my beard to join my first VFD. That department went back and forth on what facial hair was allowed. We had a chief who didn't care about how this effected respirators but don't let him see you in a ... More
Chief, The best policy is a no facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the respirator and the face policy that is enforced. Before I retired from the University of Tennessee's Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS), I taught a class ... More
If it doesn't fit under the mask (mustache) you can't wear SCBA. If you respond with facial hair and put on a pack you can't get a proper seal and are putting not only yourself but other firefighters in danger as they will have to rescue you. If there ... More
We have a clipper/razor in a truck so if you have facial hair or didn't shave that day you can quickly trim it down before masking up. With as few of fires as we run it's hard to force someone that has had a beard since they were a teenager to stay clean ... More
