How do you identify yourself while off-duty?

Does your F.D. provide you with a means to identify yourself while off-duty, like a badge/ID card?

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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on July 9, 2009 at 8:01pm

No...we are visable enough most of the time that we are readily recognized....Not many departments can say that I bet......Paul

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Permalink Reply by Anita King on July 9, 2009 at 8:09pm

We have slots for 25 paid-on- call/volunteer members and six paid engineers. Our department provides us with a badge and a state ID card. The ID card is only issued after a firefighters probationary period (6 months) is over and he/she is voted to be a regular member. The chief of police has to approve and sign the application for the card. I should also point out that before anyone is put on the department, even for the probationary period, they are required to undergo a background check. I think this policy makes issuing the badge or card a safer thing.

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Permalink Reply by Oldman on July 9, 2009 at 8:38pm

I've been with my department except for a short respite, since 1989. I'm never "off duty", but my department does issue picture ID's with our title, which are good for one year. Show up on a scene without it, and you can be refused entry. We also have window decals on our POVs identifying our department. Texas also has specialty license plates identifying us as either a "Certified Firefighter" for the volunteers, or "Professional Firefighter" for the career personnel.

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Permalink Reply by Marc on July 9, 2009 at 8:57pm

As an Explorer we get Fire Department ID cards that have our photo, position title (explorer, rated explorer, or explorer Captian) they are good for 1 year, or until an explorer is promoted.

Explorer Capt Marc Hurwitz
Los Angeles CITY fire department

that reminds me, i still haven't got my new ID card, since i have been promoted, an its been like 8 months..........

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Permalink Reply by Ben "Batman" Barry on July 9, 2009 at 9:05pm

my fire explorer post gives me nothing. my ems explorer post gives us id cards. my fathers dept give the members shields and id cards. but most of the people in my town, and its a pretty decent sized town know me or have seen me before.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Russell on July 9, 2009 at 9:17pm

Badge and ID card.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on July 9, 2009 at 9:26pm

we have a photo ID issued to us...

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Permalink Reply by Rob Redick on July 9, 2009 at 10:23pm

ID Card yes badge NO.

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Permalink Reply by Tim Rogers on July 9, 2009 at 11:49pm

Badge & city ID

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Permalink Reply by Fire Capt. 1304 on July 10, 2009 at 12:31am

State ID card if you choose to have one. Officers can carry thier badges if they like, most do not, I keep mine in the center console of my truck.

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Permalink Reply by Dustin J. Millis on July 10, 2009 at 5:40am

We are given badges but nobody really wears them other then for station events like openhouses, parades, etc... I guess other then that the blue lights in my truck and the decal that says "my other ride is a fire engine." lol

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Permalink Reply by DUST on July 10, 2009 at 7:10am

My truck is immediately recognized by its extensive number of illegal emergency lights including a light bar, dash lights, grill lights and hideaway strobes. When outside the truck I always wear a firefighter shirt preferably with a cartoon character or scantily clad female with the word FIREFIGHTER or a super cool slogan on it....and then there is my shiny badge on my belt!