The Air Force Fire Protection Badge is a military badge of the

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal ...

that is issued to those service members who have been trained in safety and

fire Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material (the fuel) in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction Product (chemistry), products. At a certain point in the combustion reaction, called the ignition ...

prevention, have qualified as military

firefighter A firefighter is a first responder and rescuer extensively trained in firefighting, primarily to extinguish hazardous fires that threaten life, property, and the environment as well as to rescue people and in some cases or jurisdictions also ...

s, and have been assigned to an Air Force

fire department A fire department (American English) or fire brigade (Commonwealth English), also known as a fire authority, fire district, fire and rescue, or fire service in some areas, is an organization that provides fire prevention and fire suppression se ...

.AFI36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel
Secretary of the Air Force, dated 18 July 2011, last accessed 11 January 2014AFI32-2001, Fire Emergency Services Program
, Secretary of the Air Force, dated 8 September 2008, certified current on 10 November 2010, last accessed 11 January 2014 The Air Force Fire Protection Badge is considered an identification emblem rather than a personal decoration and is only worn when serving in the capacity as an Air Force firefighter; the Air Force Fire Protection Badge must be surrendered upon termination of duty as a firefighter and is not considered a permanent decoration. The Air Force Fire Protection Badge is worn on the lower left breast pocket of a

military uniform A military uniform is a standardised dress worn by members of the armed forces and paramilitaries of various nations. Military dress and styles have gone through significant changes over the centuries, from colourful and elaborate, ornamented c ...

. The badge is similar in appearance to the

Air Force Security Police Badge The Air Force Security Forces Shield is a military badge of the United States Air Force Security Forces. Originally known as the "Air Police Shield" and the "Security Police Shield," the Air Force Security Forces Shield has existed since the ear ...

. The Fire Protection career field falls under Civil Engineering. All Air Force Fire Protection Specialists are also awarded the Civil Engineer Occupational Badge, which stays with the Airman throughout his or her career. Other branches of the U.S. military have not authorized a specific firefighter badge for wear of military uniforms. Only Air Force personnel are authorized to wear a firefighter badge on Air Force uniforms (highly polished metal for dress uniforms, subdued green for BDU, subdued tan for DCU). The center shield, or "scramble," of the firefighter's badge is replaced with different bugles to denote different fire officers. One silver bugle with a crossed fire ax and helmet is worn by firefighters, three gold bugles is worn by Assistant Fire Chiefs, four gold bugles for Deputy Fire Chiefs, and five gold bugles for Fire Chiefs and Base Fire Marshals.

History of Air Force Fire Protection Badge

Consideration of a distinctive emblem for USAF Fire Protection Personnel began in the fall of 1964. The present device was approved in early spring 1965. Military and civilian fire protection personnel were authorized in July 1965 to wear a standard organizational emblem identifying them as being assigned to fire protection activities. Initial stocks of 43,000 of the blue, red, gold, and white embroidered emblems had been ordered by Headquarters USAF. They were distributed through major air commands on the basis of three per individual connected with fire protection. The new patch will be worn according to AFM 35-10; this means over the left breast pocket. The emblem can be worn on regular utility and special purpose clothing, but not on military service, dress, and improved fatigue uniforms. The patch is a circular device topped by a golden eagle against a white cloud. A fireman's helmet, trumpet, and axe are depicted in red on a white circular background in the center. "USAF" In blue on a gold background and "Fire Protection" in white on a blue background are lettered around the white center.Air Force Fire Protection Badge (Cloth Patch) Full Color
last accessed 11 January 2014

References

{{US military navbox United States military badges

History of Air Force Fire Protection Badge

See also

References