Note for Guidance

The Fire Safety Advice Centre

Role Structure in the British Fire Service

Insignia worn in the British Fire and Rescue Service

At the turn of the century the Fire Brigade was a branch of the the Police Force (thus fire bobby) and the rank structure was that of police. When the Fire Service was made independent of the police a new rank structure and markings was designed for the uniform which was revamped in 1960's. Now there are numerous styles used but the insignia remains constant. There are basically two uniforms worn by a firefighters, his working or undress uniform and his fire tunic.

Originally all uniforms had epaulettes and this is were the rank marking were worn. The rank markings are made of chrome metal or embroidery on navy blue material. They now can be worn on the epaulettes or the collar. They consist of 12.5mm and 3mm bars, large and small impellers [they are not pips] and laurel wreaths, these are used in different configurations.

The original fire tunic was based on a lancer uniform with epaulettes and the rank marking based on cavalry insignia. It consisted of 12.5mm bars, horseshoes, straps and different thickness of chain mail. In the 1960's this was changed and the undress uniform insignia was used on fire tunics. When the latest type of tunic was introduced it had no epaulettes consequently cloth ranks markings were used so you did not need to puncture the water proof material. [This was also because of health and safety considerations]. Fire and Rescue Services now fix the rank markings to the collar of their uniforms except were formal undress uniforms are used and then they use the epaulettes.

Present day ranks structure has been superceded by a role based structure which means the marking you see worn by fire officers has been modified.

Role Markings.

Firefighter
Crew Manager
Watch Manager
Station Manager
Group Manager
Area Manager
Brigade Manager

Role Abbrev Responsibilities Firefighter Ff Check Role Map
Role Collar Markings   NONE	Helmet. Yellow Helmet no markings

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Role Abbrev Responsibilities Crew Manager CM Check Role Map
Role Collar Markings	Helmet. Yellow Helmet two 12.5mm black bands

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Role Abbrev Responsibilities Watch Manager WM Check Role Map
Role Collar Markings	Helmet. White Helmet with black comb 12.5mm black band

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Role Abbrev Responsibilities Station Manager SM Check Role Map
Role Collar Markings	Helmet. White Helmet with black comb 19mm black band

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Role Abbrev Responsibilities Group Manager GM Check Role Map
Role Collar Markings	Helmet. White Helmet with black comb 19mm & 12.5mm black bands

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Role Abbrev Responsibilities Area Manager AM Check Role Map
Role Collar Markings	Helmet. White Helmet with black comb two 19mm black bands

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The above information is in accordance with Dear Chief Officers Letter no5 of 2004, Item C (DCOL 5/2004 Item C) and the images were supplied by Bruce Wilson.

The Old Fire Service Rank Markings.

Firefighter
Leading FireFighter
Sub Officer
Station Officer
Assistant Divisional Officer
Divisional Officer
Senior Divisional Officer
Assistant Chief Fire Officer
Deputy Chief Fire Officer
Chief Fire Officer

Rank Abbrev Responsibilities Firefighter Ff General station Duties
Rank Markings	Helmet. Yellow Helmet no markings

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Rank Abbrev Responsibilities Leading Firefighter LFf Officer in charge of an appliance
Rank Markings	Helmet. Yellow Helmet 12mm black band

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Rank Abbrev Responsibilities Sub Officer SubO Officer in charge of a watch or Deputy Officer in charge of a watch
Rank Markings	Helmet. Yellow Helmet two 12mm black bands

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Rank Abbrev Responsibilities Station Officer StnO Officer in charge of a watch or  Station Commander
Rank Markings	Helmet. White Helmet with black comb 12mm black band

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Rank Abbrev Responsibilities Assistant Divisional Officer ADO Station Commander or  Staff Duties
Rank Markings	Helmet. White Helmet with black comb 18mm black band

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Rank Abbrev Responsibilities Divisional Officer  (Grades I II III) DO Command Officers
Rank Markings	Helmet. White Helmet with black comb 18mm & 12mm black bands

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Rank Abbrev Responsibilities Senior Divisional Officer SDO Commander, Functional and Division
Rank Markings	Helmet. White Helmet with black comb 18mm 12mm black bands

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Rank Abbrev Responsibilities Assistant Chief Fire Officer ACFO Assistant to the CFO
Rank Markings	Helmet. White Helmet with black comb two 18mm black bands

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Rank Abbrev Responsibilities Deputy Chief Fire Officer DCFO Assistant to the CFO and deputize in his absence
Rank Markings	Helmet. White Helmet with black comb two 18mm black bands

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Rank Abbrev Responsibilities Chief Fire Officer CFO General Brigade Manager
Rank Markings	Helmet. White Helmet with black comb 40mm black band

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This handout provides a general overview and basic information on this topic. It may not apply to everyone, consequently to find out if this guide applies to you and to get more information on this subject, study all the relevant legislation, guides and British/European Standards. Also you should seek advice from an expert on the subject or your local Fire Safety Officer or Fire Safety Professional.

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Merseyside Fire Liaison Panel. Permission is granted to print and photocopy this material for nonprofit educational uses.

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This page was last checked and modified on Thursday, 8 July, 2010 22:26